The minute I saw Second Life I immediately labelled it for NON EDUCATIONAL purposes.
Second Life is an online interactive game where players participate in numerous activities in a virtual environment.
Jess and Hayley’s presentation was highly informative and gave us an insightful look at this ‘virtual world’ but it certainly did not convince me to use it in the Primary Classroom.
How does one go about creating a profile?
Firstly, ANYONE can join. When you sign up you must create an avatar of yourself; a digital representation of you. You can look like anyone. Second Life is an online utopian world where you can trade in your pimples and baldness for beautiful looking skin and gorgeous long locks. It’s a world where tans and make-up is effortless; just a click away. You can be as hot, tall or as gorgeous as you like! Did I mention ANYONE can join?
Are you in a maximum security prison? It doesn’t matter, with Second Life all you need is internet access and you can create a new identity for yourself. Did I mention ANYONE can join?
A video Hayley and Jess showed us really didn’t help sell it for me. The video explained different aspects of Second Life that could be used in an educational setting. Towards the end of the video it talks about a room students can access and be fully “immersed” in Schizophrenic behaviour, the VIRTUAL HALLUCINATION room. AWESOME! That’s just what you’ve always wanted for your 6-12 year olds. Exposure to something far beyond their level. Not to mention it’s ability to participate in and view pornographic material. Which is also, highly unsuitable for children.
There are many considerations and downfalls of even thinking about using this technology in the primary classroom. How would a teacher monitor students? If ANYONE can join, how would a teacher know who their students are talking to? How would teachers explain this type of technology to parents? A lot of parents understand the shift into the technological era, but I’m sure they wouldn’t allow their children to participate in this type of technology.
Again, I really think this is a technological tool for educators, not students. Any thoughts?
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September 19th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Hey Rachel,
I totally agree with everything you have just mentioned! Every point that you have made has been completely valid. As I mentioned in my blog post, I would not use Second Life with Primary students or even secondary students for that matter. Although I believe it has some good educational purposes, I consider it being not the most effective method of teaching. Also with growing technology, nothing can be controlled anymore…if a creep wants to get into Second Life, they can and they will! Kinda scary when you think about it. The question I just really want answered, is how do teachers that use Second Life with their students, control who the students talk too?? This is the same question you are concerned with…it would be great to find out their methods.
September 19th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
So many thoughts but I will probably follow them up with my own post but you reflections don’t surprise me.
However I need to point out that under 18s aren’t allowed in the Adult grid of Second Life. They have their own separate grid where only adults (i.e. normally educators) are allowed provided they have police clearance — this is called Teen Second Life. Once a student turns 18 their account is immediately transferred to adult SL.
Teen Second life is only for 13 to 18 year olds. So you can’t have 6-12 years in either Second Life or Teen Second life. Instead they use sites like Quest Atlantis is for 9 to 15 year olds only which is very different from Second Life.
While the immersion and visiting locations in Second Life are an important part of Second Life — the most important aspect — where the greatest education and learning happens is in the building and creation within Second Life. Read my post on how secondary students are using Second Life to see the skills and what they learn using Second Life.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:40 am
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