Brief presentation about the use of Second Life in academic advising practice for EDCI 887.

1. ABBIE W.WERNER
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
EDCI 887
Academic Advising and Learning
in
Second Life

2. What is
Second Life?
•Virtual 3D interactive
environment
•Developed by Linden
Labs
•Free basic user access
•Over 18 million user
accounts

3. Benefits of
Second Life
3D Graphics provide an
immersive experience
Personalization of avatars to
reflect individuality
Development and use of
specialized “ virtual land”
Group memberships
Collaborative work,
conferencing, and networking
in a synchronous environment
Interaction with document,
video, and sound files in both
synchronous and asynchronous
environments.

4. Connect with students Engage in an environment
• Communication using personalized
avatars includes expression of
emotions. This helps students and
advisors to develop a relationship
based on the understanding of personal
characteristics that may not happen
when advising distance students using
other methods(Nutt, 2008).
• Chat capabilities for groups or
individuals allows for group advising
sessions and individual advising
meetings.
• Bulletin board notifications can be used
to inform students of events or
deadlines and to connect them with
resources.
• Students can collaboratively solve
complex problems and connect with
each other for support.
Using Second Life in Advising and Learning

5. Challenges of
Using Second
Life in
Advising
•Confusing acceptable use
policies within institutions
•Dress codes for avatars may be
need to be established even
when no dress codes exist on-
campus
•Content can be lost when
programs loose funding
•Need for significant time to
develop navigation skills
•Technical requirements may
limit access
•Assessment as an educational
tool in advising is neede

6. References
Nutt, C. (2008).
Academic advising: To
infinity and beyond.
National Academic
Advising Association
website. Retrieved
from:
https://www.nacada.
ksu.edu/web/index.
php?option=com_co
ntent&view=article&
id=7&catid=2&Itemi
d=2
For more views of Second Life in higher education:
Virtual graduation in Second Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KajvOYgRx14
Virginia Tech Memorial in Second Life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2RbJAST0RI
&feature=related
Collaborative learning in Second Life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BVUAtglahg
Teaching in Second Life at NC State:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWfvqkkk0y
M