Virtual world may provide learning alternatives
Second Life may be a new alternative learning tool
Jacquelyn Suarez
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News
|
Second Life, created in 2003 by Linden Laboratories, is a 3-Dimensional online world that is created and formed by the residents that live in it. The Second Life world communities house over millions of residents from all over the world. This virtual world is a place for people to escape from their normal everyday lives. Second Life refers to the people that register for a life in the online virtual world as residents. According to the website, this virtual world is the size of a small city with over 12 million residents.
"I originally joined the Second Life community to do research on what types of art were being created and exhibited in online virtual communities," Mark Myers, art professor at Central, said. "I also wanted to determine if the virtual reality platform could fit into my model for distance educational learning."
Some people even use this virtual world to meet and interact with new people from all over the world. A person can communicate and even visit parts of the world through Second Life. People can also attend live events including parties and art shows.
"I have been to live concerts and art shows," Kathryn Roosa, vice president of instruction at South campus, said. " One place I love is an area where Van Gogh paintings are replicated and people can actually go inside and sit in a café in the painting itself."
Before starting communication within this virtual world, an avatar must first be created. An avatar is an online character created by someone that wants to join the Second Life world. While creating an avatar, a person can choose from all types of options from skin tone to clothing that will make their avatar unique. The creators at Second Life urge new avatar creators not to worry if their avatar is not perfect at first because changes can always be made.
In the Second Life world, residents can interact with other residents, purchase land, build houses and start Second Life businesses.
"A virtual San Jacinto College campus Island could be a great learning tool and environment," Myers said. "There is a several tiered learning curve associated with many aspects of Second Life. It takes time to learn how to move around and control your camera."
Be the first to comment on this story