The document discusses the integration of technology in education at Ramapo Islands, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and immersive experiences in preparing students for an information society. It describes the creation of virtual classrooms in Second Life, showcasing how they foster engagement, collaboration, and social skill development among students. The narrative highlights the transformative effects of these methods on student learning and engagement, as well as the development of a participatory culture in education.

1. Ramapo Islands A New Dimension in Learning SLEDcc 2008 Tampa

2. The Lens... “ A MILLION COMPUTERS CANNOT REPLACE ONE GOOD TEACHER”

3. The Road-Map Why: A brief rationale… How: How we are using it at Ramapo Central…

4. Something’s Happening…

5. SHIFTED LITERACY

6. As Technology Evolves Literacy Evolves

7. The “SHIFTED LEARNER” moves at “twitch speed” graphics before text learning is no longer “linear” parallel/random accessing active vs. passive (Just Do It!) “ Engage Me or Enrage Me” connectivity is their birthright (Prensky, 2005)

8. Shifted Learning Sensory-based Personality-based Aptitude-based Media-based Active learning based on immersive experiences In school “powered-down”

9. It’s Automatic...

10. SHIFTED INSTRUCTION balance of experiential learning guided mentoring collective reflection (Dede, 2007) decision making real life context fluency vs. literacy

11. THE ARGUMENT IS SIMPLE... “ To prepare people for life in an information society, they need to be taught with the technology of an information society.” -Tilfen, 1995 Engagement Edutainment 21st Century Literacy Traditional Literacy But....HOW?

12. MULTI…USER…VIRTUAL…ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTS CONSTRUCTIVIST LEARNING NETWORKED (POTENTIALLY GLOBALLY) INTERPRETING, ANALYZING, DISCOVERING EVALUATING, PROBLEM SOLVING, REFLECTING!!! Here’s One Way… GET A M.U.V.E. ON!

13. RAMAPO ISLANDS Suffern Middle School in Teen Second Life

14. WHAT ?

15. Purchasing an Island 16 acres of virtual space, 15,000 prims secure “intranet” space or open and public Private Island: $700 + $147.50 monthly maintenance 6 or 12 months prepayment http://secondlife.com/land/privatepricing.php

16. a unique and flexible environment globally networked virtual classroom a supplement to traditional classroom environments private Islands create secure "intranet" spaces SL For Educators

17. SAFETY & SECURITY on Ramapo Islands private islands: no on or off adults have LL background clearance no access to TG residents or content constant adult supervision

18. Teacher Intro teachers created Main Grid accounts orientation island edit appearance (shop) communication options (chat, IM, voice) tour educational locations join groups to develop network (ISTE!) a second Ramapo Island Teacher Avatar

19. Student Intro peer mentors trained in world edited appearance joined group explored built

21. Science

22. MATH

23. SOCIAL STUDIES

24. Of Mice and Men read novel assign roles & responsibilities research conduct trial reflect

25. Body Image Health and Wellness 8th-grade students inclusion class four 55 minute classes

26. www.campaignforrealbeauty.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U&feature=related

27. Customize

28. Assignment Create self-portrait Create Media Beauty Create media beauty: (TWIST) Select final version Discussion/reflection

29. The Discussion Pods... Designed by Decka Mah

30. Self Portrait Media Beauty” Comparison

31. Self Portrait Media “Beauty” Comparison

32. “ Psychosocial Moratorium” “ the suspension of accountability that allows internet users to explore alternate identities without the repercussions and dangers one might face in real life” (Gee) Supports Erickson’s theory that teens need the opportunity to try on different roles while the consequences are minimal. more info--Eric Erikson, James Paul Gee, Sarah Robins (Intellagirl Tully in SL)

33. A Sense of Presence Deriving educational value from putting kids in real-world environments is called “situated learning”. Change the pedagogy to meet the skills of the student ; “ Start with the learner” … Dede, 2005

34. What Students Say.. “ In Second Life, no one knows who has the Hollister clothing, or who came to school on a < little bus> !” “ I can talk without being embarrassed or afraid of sounding stupid.” “ I like it because I’m just as smart as everyone else and now they know it .” “ In Second Life people think I’m an expert cause I act like one .”

35. YOUR QUESTIONS…

36. Shift Happened 3 additional islands (Foreign Language, Multimedia and Science) 1000+ student accounts 35 formally trained teachers participatory culture has emerged

37. Other Projects

38. Poinkey’s Pods DECKA DID IT AGAIN !

39. Multimedia Island Music Studio Soundstage Machinima Music Store *Storyworld*

40. Foreign Language Cultural Investigations Voice Immersion Authentic Artifacts Shared Experience

41. SCIENCE Weather Center Catastrophic Events Ecology debates NASA Rockets

42. Get informed Read Second Life Press and Forums Read SL Education Wiki SLED - educator’s email listserve Experience Create a free account Tour popular places (ISTE ISLANDS!) Join Educator’s groups (ISTE!) Build simple objects Develop Identify a learning objective Build curriculum with appropriate pace Teacher Preparation

43. Structure is good! Encourage feedback! Setting boundaries! Clear expectations! Teacher Training! Best Practices

44. Success with... student investment seriously engaged collaboration level playing field deeper level of discourse social skills carry over to real world

45. A Mom Writes... “ What a change has occurred in Peter this year! Everyone remarks about how much his social skills have developed! Second Life has allowed Peter to practice much needed social skills in a non threatening environment. He has also found other students with similar interests and a whole new world has opened up for him. This has grown into friendships that carry on even outside the computer lab. Peter has also developed incredible technical skills on the computer. He uses terms like &quot;scripting&quot; and has even instructed some of the other Middle School students in this. Peter has developed his own websites and even has students asking him to set up websites for them. During Second Life, Peter also worked with a group of boys on a particular project. It required many skills including team work, organizational skills, social interactions, and decision making, just to name a few. “

46. CROQUET http://www.opencroquet.org WONDERLAND http://www.nmc.org/keyword/wonderland MEDIA GRID: IMMERSIVE ED http://mediagrid.org/members.html KEEP AN EYE ON...

47. Future Vision extend our boundaries global consortium F2F exchange universal curriculum immersive language acquisition Inter-operability Open Metaverse….

48. Thank you! [email_address] http://www.ramapoislands.edublogs.org See you in your Second Life…

49. Maggie Marat In Second Life

50. Maggie & Coreina