Press on RezEd: "USA’s New Virtual Campus"
USA’s New Virtual Campus
Original Article can be found here.
The Online Learning Laboratory at USA is experimenting with the virtual world “Second Life” as an instructional tool.
“Second Life” is like “World of Warcraft” or “Everquest,” except it isn’t a game. Instead it’s more of a social network in a virtual 3D space that is owned, operated, and created by users. Users can buy real-estate, build buildings and objects, design clothes, etc. to their hearts’ content. The only limitation is their imagination and technical prowess.
Dr. Jack Dempsey, professor of Instructional Design, along with Rebecca Reese and Stasia Weston, gave a presentation for instructors about “Second Life” on Oct. 13, demonstrating its possible uses as a learning tool.
Jaguarland, the recently developed virtual campus created by the staff at the Online Learning Laboratory, is already up and running in “Second Life.” There, instructors can give lectures, complete with virtual PowerPoint slide shows, to students who attend from the comfort of their own homes.
Dempsey says that his Trends and Issues in Instructional Design course meets in “Second Life” twice a week.
“Right now, I think we’re the only ones [at USA who do this],” Dempsey said. “I hope more do. It’s a very rich environment for learning.”
USA isn’t the first university to use “Second Life” as a learning environment. In fact, there is an organization called RezEd (www.rezed.org) that acts as a hub and gathering place for educators who use “Second Life” and other virtual spaces as learning tools.
There will be another presentation for instructors on Nov. 10 when Dr. Marty Jencius, an assistant professor from Kent State, will give a virtual tour of “Second Life” for instructors and other people interested at USA.
Students interested in “Second Life” can join the virtual community at www.secondlife.com. “Second Life” is completely free for users to join and use.
Original Article can be found here.
The Online Learning Laboratory at USA is experimenting with the virtual world “Second Life” as an instructional tool.
“Second Life” is like “World of Warcraft” or “Everquest,” except it isn’t a game. Instead it’s more of a social network in a virtual 3D space that is owned, operated, and created by users. Users can buy real-estate, build buildings and objects, design clothes, etc. to their hearts’ content. The only limitation is their imagination and technical prowess.
Dr. Jack Dempsey, professor of Instructional Design, along with Rebecca Reese and Stasia Weston, gave a presentation for instructors about “Second Life” on Oct. 13, demonstrating its possible uses as a learning tool.
Jaguarland, the recently developed virtual campus created by the staff at the Online Learning Laboratory, is already up and running in “Second Life.” There, instructors can give lectures, complete with virtual PowerPoint slide shows, to students who attend from the comfort of their own homes.
Dempsey says that his Trends and Issues in Instructional Design course meets in “Second Life” twice a week.
“Right now, I think we’re the only ones [at USA who do this],” Dempsey said. “I hope more do. It’s a very rich environment for learning.”
USA isn’t the first university to use “Second Life” as a learning environment. In fact, there is an organization called RezEd (www.rezed.org) that acts as a hub and gathering place for educators who use “Second Life” and other virtual spaces as learning tools.
There will be another presentation for instructors on Nov. 10 when Dr. Marty Jencius, an assistant professor from Kent State, will give a virtual tour of “Second Life” for instructors and other people interested at USA.
Students interested in “Second Life” can join the virtual community at www.secondlife.com. “Second Life” is completely free for users to join and use.
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