This document discusses some of the pedagogical challenges and opportunities of using Second Life in higher education. It notes that Second Life allows for flexible identity expression and a collaborative, global online environment with a low entry cost, but that some students and faculty may find the interface difficult or feel uncomfortable. However, it also argues that navigating discomfort can parallel knowledge acquisition. The document also addresses challenges like image slippage for faculty and constant environmental changes, but suggests opportunities for student exploration and partnership in teaching virtual space navigation.

1. MUVEin' on Over : Exploring the Pedagogical Challenges of Second Life in Higher Education Sarah “Intellagirl” Robbins Purdue Serious Games – October 2007

2. Mechanics Form Examples

3. Why is SL important for education? Prensky: “they [today’s “game generation”] want to be to be treated as “creators and doers” rather than “receptacles to be filled with content.” “ Play at being a critic. Deconstruct the game in order to play with it. Instead of accepting the rules, challenge and modify them. Without the freedom to critique and reconstruct, there is no truly free game; we are addicts and nothing more” Virilio and Sans qouted in Rouzie Gregory Bateson: play parodies, not reality, but an idea or image of reality held by the players (Rouzie) Selfe and Selfe: Interfaces express a limited set of options for self-representation, expression, and interaction, shapes the kinds of identity and modes of communication that are possible.

4. Second Life Strengths

5. Flexible Identity

6. Stigmergic, Collaborative Environment

7. Global, Persistent Community

8. Low Entry Costs

9. Learning curve Challenges Students and Faculty may find difficulties in the interface prohibitive to learning Some students and faculty may find themselves uncomfortable in the space Advantages Students and Faculty can be partners in teaching how to navigate the space Parallels between discomfort in the space and acquisition of new knowledge can be drawn

10. Flexible Identity Challenges Students and Faculty take risks with their identity expression Faculty might experience “Image Slippage”, lose their position of control, lack of privileged position Difficult identity decisions must be made to establish credibility Advantages Students and Faculty take risks with their identity expression Faculty might experience “Image Slippage”, lose their position of control, lack of privileged position Difficult identity decisions must be made to establish credibility

11. Learning Space Fluctuations Challenges Students and Faculty may feel overwhelmed by the environment’s rate of change Reuse of favorite spaces may not be possible Frequent software updates Advantages Constantly added content provides new exploration and study Students can be charged with exploring and evaluating spaces for use by the class

12. Sarah “Intellagirl” Robbins [email_address] AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Skype: Intellagirl Intellagirl.com Ubernoggin.com