Inworld presentation for the Bavarian Center for Gifted and Talented Children. Covers how Changchun American International School is using Second Life (and OpenSimulator) to teach gifted/talented (as well as special needs) students independent of formal programs.

1. Global Virtual Meeting for Gifted Education in Second Life Bavarian Center for Gifted and Talented Children David W. Deeds, IT Manager/Teacher Changchun American International School July 30, 2011

2. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds CAIS = Changchun American International School Four years old, 150+ students (50-50 expats-locals) International Baccalaureate Organization (www.ibo.org) World School, overall philosophy of inclusion versus separation English native speakers together with beginners (in certain classes, such as Technology) Special Education Needs (SEN) Program started as of 2010, no formal Gifted/Talented Program (GTP) Special English Program (SEP) started as of 2011

3. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds International Baccalaureate Divisions: Primary Years Program (PYP): Pre-K, K, Grades 1-5 Middle Years Program (MYP): Grades 6-10 Diploma Program (DP): Grades 11-12 SEN students identified in all 3 divisions MYP Technology classes featuring OpenSimulator and Second Life: models for SEN and hopefully GTP SEN students taking MYP Technology classes, DP Information Technology in a Global Society (ITGS) course (only SEP, no SEN separation)

4. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Second Life Business/IT/Other classes since 2006: Professor in Korean university’s International Business Department, also teaching ESP Students from Korea, China, Russia, Vietnam, Laos and other countries (widely varying levels of English) No lower-level textbooks for subjects such as Management Information Systems! Needed a means of differentiation: “gifted/talented” plus “regulars” plus “special needs” kids Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), Individualized Education Plans (IEP)

5. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Individualized Education Plans (IEP): Started with Ph.D. research, means of meeting needs of all students across the spectrum Tried formal IEPs but involved a lot of paperwork, easier to make informal, although signatures help Better to develop “skeleton” lesson plans that can be adapted, special needs or gifted/talented kids Meeting all spectrum needs in MYP IT classes without gifted/talented or special needs programs MYP Technology classes are SEN and IB; DP is part of SEN, but not formally IB

6. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Scribd Link: www.scribd.com/doc/57959626/OpenSimulator-School-Quick-Start-Guide Or www.indeeds.com, www.makosz.org, www.caischina.org Look for lesson plans.

7. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Big Picture Part I: Language Levels, Lesson Plans Treat language levels like abilities levels: Fluent/native-speakers are the gifted/talented Beginners are the special needs students All levels in between are the “regulars” Apply SIOP and other language-specific techniques to teaching different abilities levels Try formal Individualized Education Plans but Lesson Plan Adaptation might be better (since the SEN/SEP can’t read IEPs or LPs anyway!) No need for FORMAL GTP/SEN, automatic

8. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Big Picture Part II: 3D Virtual Worlds Adaptable for SEN and SEP students: no separation at any grade level Usable by (almost) all subjects, cross-curricular activities Students have individualized path to success, via solo and/or team efforts 3D virtual worlds effectively create both an SEN and a Gifted/Talented Program, informally if not formally

9. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Framework: “What to Look for in a Good Gifted Program: Criteria to Use for Evaluating a School for Your Gifted Child” by Carol Bainbridge Philosophy & Goals Acceleration & Enrichment Multiple Options Student Learning Expectations Challenging Curriculum (giftedkids.about.com/od/educationoptions/a/ criteria.htm)

10. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Framework: “What to Look for in a Good Gifted Program: Criteria to Use for Evaluating a School for Your Gifted Child” by Carol Bainbridge Flexibility Sound Identification Process Staff Development Plan Guidance Component Honoring Academic Talents (giftedkids.about.com/od/educationoptions/a/ criteria.htm)

11. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds “I believe that 3D virtual worlds can be of benefit in a Gifted & Talented Program because they enable extended investigations, freedom of choice and independent learning opportunities. Clearly stated learning outcomes and evaluation criteria are imperative and must be embedded in the program to ensure that meaningful learning takes place.” -- Helena Nickerson, CAIS Special Education Needs Facilitator

12. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds “As a teacher who grew up going through gifted education programs, I believe strongly in the value of them and I really envy the opportunity gifted students now have to learn in environments like OpenSim. It’s not merely the way in which the environment allows seemingly limitless potential for extension of learning and integration of varying technologies and skills, but the amazing latitude it provides for shared, creative social experiences.” -- Alex Makosz, CAIS PYP Coordinator and MYP Technology Co-Teacher

13. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds China International Schools (CISI) is CAIS plus: Beijing International School Western Academy of Beijing Information Technology in a Global Society All levels, want to pitch for IB DP SEN and GTP Ideally all IB ITGS courses would include SL MYP (and PYP next) Technology classes: All levels, want to pitch for IB PYP/MYP SEN and GTP (not just Technology but other subjects too) Ideally all PYP/MYP Tech would include 3D

14. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds SLURL: slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching/79/201/21/

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17. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds 2011 Horizon Report: www.nmc.org/publications/2011-horizon-report Published by the New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (www.educause.edu/eli) “Learning in 3D” by Karl Kapp, Pfeiffer Publishing, ISBN: 978-0470504734 “A Practical Guide to Using Second Life in Higher Education” by MaggiSavin-Baden, Open University Press, ISBN: 978-0335242146

18. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds “Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching” by Margaret D. Roblyer and Aaron H. Doering, Allyn & Bacon, ISBN: 978-0135130636 “Teaching Students with Special Needs in General Education Classrooms” by Rena B. Lewis and Donald H. Doorlag, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 978-0136101240 “Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings” by Tom E. Smith and Edward A. Polloway, Prentice-Hall, ISBN: 978-0138007836 Teachings: MyEducationLab Series

19. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds “Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model” by Jane Echevarria, et al., Allyn & Bacon, ISBN: 978-0205518869 “The Virtual Worlds Handbook: How to Use Second Life and Other 3D Virtual Environments” by Elizabeth Hodge, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, ISBN: 978-0763777470 “Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology” by Allan Collins, Teachers College Press, ISBN: 978-0807750025

20. Gifted Education, 3D Virtual Worlds Questions/Comments? David W. Deeds, Ph.D. IT Manager/Teacher Changchun American International School Work: ddeeds@caischina.org Home: davidwdeeds@yahoo.com Facebook & LinkedIn: David W. Deeds Twitter: dwdeeds, Second Life: Deed Davids Visit us at CISI on Teaching! SLURL: slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching/79/201/21/