Experiential learning opportunities can be provided through virtual spaces like Second Life, allowing students to experience places and situations that would otherwise be impossible due to limitations of time, money, access or expertise. By creating virtual recreations of real-world environments and scenarios, students can explore new realities and have real experiences through collaboration, reflection and community learning in Second Life. These types of virtual experiential learning activities have led to high levels of student engagement and return visits according to metrics collected from projects hosted in Second Life.

1. Experiential Learning in Second Life Hilary Mason SL: Ann Enigma Johnson & Wales University

2. why put students here

3. when we can go here?

4. but maybe we can’t No money No access No time No expertise

5. or maybe it is impossible inside a nanotube another universe another species ages past to see x-rays

6. what if we could?

7. real experiences in virtual spaces

8. real experiences in virtual spaces

9. we explore and create new realities imagine how we can learn

10. there’s a life outside of second life

11. it’s not difficult challenge collaboration reflection community learning

12. we’ve gone to some great places already

13. Virtual Morocco

14. 100% of participants report greater engagement 12,034 unique visitors since December 23, 2006 72% of visitors return “ This project was so great because it was real .” – Robyn Birkedal

15. virtual BLAST

16. experimental entrepreneurship

17. why create this

18. when we can create this?

19. and he’s happy and engaged and experienced and knowledgeable and ready to face new challenges

20. thank you Mehdi Moutahir, fantastic students, wonderful collaborators

21. talk to me Creative Commons Hilary Mason Ann Enigma [email_address]