Uses of Second Life in Higher Education: Three Successful Cases Jenny Wongtangswad Hui-Yin Hsu Master of Science in Instructional Technology

Case 1: Case Western Reserve University’s Virtual Campus Tour Case Western spent approximately $30,000 to construct a virtual campus in Second Life Attracting prospective students who were unable to attend a campus tour in-person

Case Western spent approximately $30,000 to construct a virtual campus in Second Life

Attracting prospective students who were unable to attend a campus tour in-person

For prospective students to interact and converse with current students during times where admissions officials were not always present Approximately 40 students made virtual visits during the virtual campus’ lifespan in Second Life Request SL campus visit: http://admission.case.edu/secondlife.asp

For prospective students to interact and converse with current students during times where admissions officials were not always present

Approximately 40 students made virtual visits during the virtual campus’ lifespan in Second Life

Request SL campus visit: http://admission.case.edu/secondlife.asp

Case 2: SUNY ONEONTA MUSIC PROJECT Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York (SUNY) Involved students from the Music Program at SUNY Nine volunteer students participated in an extra credit internship program in Second Life Each group organized a concert enlisting established Second Life performers Students were responsible for the publicity, technical requirements, and working with the performers to ensure each concert went smoothly Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students attended the concert

Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York (SUNY)

Involved students from the Music Program at SUNY

Nine volunteer students participated in an extra credit internship program in Second Life

Each group organized a concert enlisting established Second Life performers

Students were responsible for the publicity, technical requirements, and working with the performers to ensure each concert went smoothly

Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students attended the concert

Case 3: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) uses Second Life as a Student Lab Most MIT’s virtual campuses are devoted entirely to student experimental projects MIT reinforces student collaboration and encourages exploration of the virtual world (i.e. building design) Express Opinions: Deliver speech through megaphone & use avatars to show their agreement or disagreement with the speaker’s point of view Help prospective students determine which residential hall would be the best fit for them

Most MIT’s virtual campuses are devoted entirely to student experimental projects

MIT reinforces student collaboration and encourages exploration of the virtual world (i.e. building design)

Express Opinions: Deliver speech through megaphone & use avatars to show their agreement or disagreement with the speaker’s point of view

Help prospective students determine which residential hall would be the best fit for them

MIT SL project list: https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SL/The+Second+Life+Project+List

MIT SL project list:

https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SL/The+Second+Life+Project+List

Possibilities Replicate campuses in the virtual world: recruitment Distance learning: strengthen sense of community Encourage students to participate in exploring the educational benefits of Second Life Alumni reunion Exhibit: virtual showcase Practice voting, protest

Replicate campuses in the virtual world: recruitment

Distance learning: strengthen sense of community

Encourage students to participate in exploring the educational benefits of Second Life

Alumni reunion

Exhibit: virtual showcase

Practice voting, protest

Possibilities Collaboration: students hold after-class chats about their assignments, collaborate with another cohort Virtual seminar or performance: Panel discussions and/or virtual orchestra performance Organizing events Obtain experience: work as magazine editor, hostesses, sales clerks and dancers

Collaboration: students hold after-class chats about their assignments, collaborate with another cohort

Virtual seminar or performance: Panel discussions and/or virtual orchestra performance

Organizing events

Obtain experience: work as magazine editor, hostesses, sales clerks and dancers

Criticisms Technical requirements Second Life does not accommodate for users with disabilities such as visual or mobility impairments. Unregulated sexual content Intruders

Technical requirements

Second Life does not accommodate for users with disabilities such as visual or mobility impairments.

Unregulated sexual content

Intruders