This document discusses two methods of instruction - traditional face-to-face teaching and 21st century online or hybrid methods. It focuses on using immersive virtual world technology, specifically Second Life, in teacher preparation programs. During a major storm that prevented students from attending class in-person, the online Second Life platform allowed classes to continue virtually. Student feedback showed that Second Life helped keep them connected to their studies and classmates during the storm, bringing the class closer together online. Students felt Second Life was beneficial for meeting course needs while still meeting standards, and hoped more courses would offer virtual options to prepare for changing technology in classrooms.

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A Beacon in the Storm – A New Perspective of Technology
Use in Education
Dr. Maryanne Maisano
Dr. Deborah Anne Banker

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Two Methods of Instructional
Delivery in Universities:
 Traditional Methodology
 Professor is expositor of information
 Face to Face instruction
 “Stand and Deliver” mode of content delivery
 21st Century Skill Methodology
 Professor is facilitator of information
 Online or Hybrid instruction
 Alternative learning environments for content
delivery

3. +
Alternative Learning
Environments
 “Flipped” Classrooms
 Blogs, Wikis, Journaling, etc.
 Immersive World Environments

4. +
Immersive World Technology
In Teacher Preparation Programs
Part of a hybrid methods course
Initial intent was to meet in
synchronous format
Initial intent was not to replace
current physical classroom but to
enrich content with visual realm

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Merging Second Life with
Teacher Preparation
Programs:

6. +Virtual Classroom Development
…”teacher, as well as the students, continuously „modify the
classroom.‟ “
~ M. A. Maisano (2013)

7. + Subject-Area Availability and Integration
…”teach children a shared body of knowledge…” (intellectual capital)
~E. D. Hirsch, 1996

8. +
Practice Teaching Simulations and Role-Playing

9. +
Distance Learning Opportunities for Developing culturally
Responsive Teaching

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Simulated “Field Experiences

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And then…..the Storm Happened!
 Known as “Frankenstorm”

12. +
Students getting to class…..well, not
so much……

13. +
Students getting to class…..well, not
so much……

14. +
Students getting to class…..well, not
so much……

15. +
And….a shark in the front yard!

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Through the methodology of a focus
group, the students commented…
“We can’t help natural
disasters so I think the use of
technology (Second Life)
really helped all of us to stay in
touch and be on target with
our studies and connected to
our classmates.”
“Second Life was a bit
challenging at first
however, seeing how
convenient it became in the
aftermath of the storm I was
drawn to it because it brought
us all together when we
couldn’t be together in real life!
I wish all my courses had the
option of using Second Life..”

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“Actually, the bad storm
brought us closer together as
a group because we were able
to still have class online in
Second Life.”
“I find it interesting how you
can put up lessons and see
the same things we would see
in our face-to-face class even
in a virtual learning
classroom.”

18. + Perhaps the best one that sums it all up! (and
provides a wonderful conclusion  )
“I absolutely feel the integration of technology
into this course is vital to our career development.
It broadens our teaching strategies and prepares
us for the ever-changing classroom that is
becoming more geared toward Smart
Boards, tablets, and iPhone apps. Though some
professors may not agree with the use of Second
Life, I find it very beneficial to meet the needs of
students while still meeting the standards for this
course.”

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Thank You!!
Questions?