UW Milwaukee Its4U Presentation, 12.17.08

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IT's 4 U! Teaching and Learning in Second Life at UWM

Tanya Joostentjoosten@uwm.eduLearning Technology CenterDepartment of CommunicationSL Juice Gyoza

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Session Overview

• Brief demo and explanation of Second Life (You Tube Video)

• Uses of Second Life in the Classroom• Student Reactions

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What is Second Life?

• Not a Game• Online, Virtual World, 3-D• Network through software to a virtual space• Not just information• People, Places• User constructed

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Pedagogical Needs and Second Life

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Uses of Second Life: Spring 08

• Student can meet with their peers and instructor to receive and discuss course content

• Students can participate in a life-like simulation, role play or case study

• Students can access people, organizations, and information

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Evaluating Second Life: Student Reactions

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Communication Student Comments

• “I thought the content of the course was very interesting. I really enjoyed the face that we incorporated Second Life into the course. I also think it is very useful to work in virtual teams to complete a project(despite the fact the it can be a pain:])”

• “I would have liked to see more required participation within second life. I noticed many students went in did what they had to fro the first couple task and then did not sue it again.”

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Health Sciences Student• Students response after visiting

numerous health resources in SL• “Overall, I think Second Life provides

endless opportunities to explore and learn about an infinite number of subjects.”

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Emerging Technology Grant

• How do virtual worlds, an emerging technology, impact student learning?

• What are some best practices in using virtual worlds?

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Obvious Question

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Evaluating Virtual Worlds

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Preliminary Survey Results

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I was able to use rich and varied language in Second Life

Media Richness

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I was comfortable interacting with other participants in Second Life

Social Presence

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I was able to form distinct individual impressions of others in Second Life

Social Presence

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Second Life held my attention

Engagement

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Second Life was an enriching experience

Engagement

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Using Second Life helped me think more deeply about course material

Learning

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Second Life was beneficial to my learning

Learning

7.1%, no response

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Participating in Second Life was a useful experience

Satisfaction

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Second Life was fun and exciting

Satisfaction

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New Uses of Second Life

• Required Participation and Group Meetings in Second Life

• 1-on-1 Student Orientations in SL• Virtual Office Hours in Second Life• Utilizing New Resources in SL• Student Presentation in SL

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Communication Student Blogs• Option 1, Managing Change, an Implementation of SL• http://emily-second-life.blogspot.com/ , tba• http://teamdynasty4.blogspot.com/ , 12.18, 2pm

• Option 2, Virtual Decision Making in Second Life http://www.teamcatalyst.blogspot.com/ , 12.17, 4pm

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New for UWM Faculty

• Faculty Development Workshops for Second Life – 29 new faculty

• Development of the UWM sim on Arts and Letters island

• Repository for Student Orientation Materials, Sample Syllabi, Activities, etc.

• Second Life Wiki for Faculty

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Tanya M. Joostenhttp://uwmsecondlife.wikispaces.com

tjoosten@uwm.eduSL: Juice Gyoza414.229.4319

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Questions?