This poster was presented by Sheila Webber at the CILASS (Centre for Inquiry Based Learning in the Arts and Social Sciences) summer fair, on 14th June 2010. It presents an intervention using Second Life, the virtual world, in a core module (Information Literacy) in the BSc Information Management, and identifies the modes of IBL used.

1. Second Life and
Inquiry Based Learning
Sheila Webber
The learning & teaching The learning
context environments
Inf104: Information literacy Second Life
By the end of the module students will have learnt:
• to analyse their own information behaviour and start to identify ways in
MOLE
which they can become more information literate
• to understand some key information literacy models and theories
• to plan a strategy for seeking information and search for information in
specific information sources
• to apply an evaluation framework to information resources
Face to Face
• to interact with others to explore their information behaviour and needs
• to communicate more effectively orally and in writing
Assessment: Analysis of & reflection on research interviews in Second
Life; E-portfolio on their progress in relation to the SCONUL 7 Pillars of
Information Literacy
Compulsory activities in a core level 1
module: BSc Information Management
(25-35 students each year; 2007/8-2009/10)
“Curriculum design should have
The IBL framework
a greater focus on the
interactive dimensions of
learning and the social
The intervention
experience of students, for
example working in small
groups and more enquiry-based
and project work. It should also
Student provide a more challenging
avatars in the learning experience to
encourage greater engagement
3D world, SL and the development of
independent learning and high-
level critical skills.” Whittaker,
2008: 8.
Students as research IBL framework applied to SL Conclusion
assistants “taking a blended
[6:35]
[6:35]
Interviewer: did you acquire any information by bumping into it: coming across it when you weren't specifically looking for information on this topic?
Interviewee D: I had seen cubes offering land for sale
Inf104 approach made it easier
to engage students with
[6:36] Interviewee D: I knew a bit from just being in SL and knowing the environment
[6:36]
[6:36]
Interviewee D: I'd clicked on a few rental posters and boxes
Interviewer: and can you say something about how you felt when you had bumped into the information?
Information
Research question
Literacy class all quarters of the IBL
set by Inf104 tutor,
primary data matrix …WebCT
gathered by („information responsive‟)
students within SL and SL („discovery
Problem set by Inf104 tutor, active/responsive‟) were
knowledge base explored complementary in this
outside SL, presented within SL respect, while face to
face work enabled
References
Webber, S. (2010) Investigating modes of student Inquiry in Second Life as part of a
various modes of IBL,
blended approach. International journal of personal and virtual learning environments, 1 (3). and prepared students
(in press) for online work.”
Whittaker, R. (2008) Quality Enhancement Themes: The First Year Experience: Transition to
and during the first year. Glasgow: QAA Scotland Webber, 2010
© Sheila Webber / Sheila Yoshikawa & the University of
Sheffield, Department of Information Studies: the iSchool
June 2010. Photos by Sheila Webber
Second Life is a trademark of Linden Labs