Second Life is a whole new world and experience. Here you register to create an avatar, which becomes your “person” in the Second Life world. It simulates the things that we can do in real life on a virtual plane. The concept is very forward thinking and has endless possibilities for learning, socializing, and fun!
The question was posed about the educational value of Second Life. As for use with students, none. Second Life is an adult world. As an educator, there is potential. There are areas of Second life dedicated to the knowledge and advancement of professionals. One example is ISTE island, which I find myself visiting the most. I have to admit, spending countless hours on Second Life has not given me any advantages or gains so far. In fact, it has taken fairly large amounts of time to figure out. At this point, the positives do not outweigh the negatives including finding reputable sites, using up valuable time, and the frustration of freezing, waiting for downloading, and having to restart.
In trying to find alternatives to Second Life for use with students, I have the following summary:
*www.secondlife.com is an online world for adults, 18 and older, as describe above.
*teen.secondlife.com is an online world for teenagers. I’m not seeing where this would fit into education, as it’s just for teens.
*www.clubpenguin.com is an online world for younger children. I have heard of schools that used this site with the younger kids, however not without the frustrations of usernames, passwords, email addresses needed, parental support, technical problems, and safety issues..
Each site has its own guidelines for use. Safety precautions are discussed for each site and should be viewed and adhered to for the best online experience. As with anything, when children are using sites such as these, parents should be encouraged to visit the site with their child and know what they are exposed to and participating in. Teachers must check with their district for guidelines and rules regarding use of such sites needing other set ups for access.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Gaming - Week Ten
Gaming online or use of educational games in the classroom can prove to be a lively discussion topic. Some people are of the mind teachers and schools are not utilizing them enough, where others have accused teachers of “wasting” their child’s time by using them. These are two very opposite ends of the spectrum, with every opinion in between!
Gaming in schools should supplement the regular learning program in a way that can prove effectiveness through progress. Utilizing programs and online resources that have management and feedback components help address this issue. Students can progress at a highly rapid pace on skills based games and content related activities online. This level of success is highly rewarding and exciting to observe!
The 21st Century educator needs to embrace the facts:
*appropriate technology MUST supplement and enhance their learning programs
*times are changing exponentially
*we are not serving students well and doing them a huge disservice without technology instruction/utilization
*student motivation, rapid progress, and enthusiasm for learning through technology speaks for itself!
Obviously, school is no place for violent, inappropriate gaming. It would behoove society as a whole to not tolerate violent, inappropriate gaming period! However, it is a reality we face. Encouragement and education of students and their families to make appropriate personal choices regarding gaming and online usage should be included, as well as the suggestion to find a balance between gaming/computer use and outside activities/other interests. As with anything, gaming should be used in moderation and with purpose, whether educational or for entertainment.
Gaming in schools should supplement the regular learning program in a way that can prove effectiveness through progress. Utilizing programs and online resources that have management and feedback components help address this issue. Students can progress at a highly rapid pace on skills based games and content related activities online. This level of success is highly rewarding and exciting to observe!
The 21st Century educator needs to embrace the facts:
*appropriate technology MUST supplement and enhance their learning programs
*times are changing exponentially
*we are not serving students well and doing them a huge disservice without technology instruction/utilization
*student motivation, rapid progress, and enthusiasm for learning through technology speaks for itself!
Obviously, school is no place for violent, inappropriate gaming. It would behoove society as a whole to not tolerate violent, inappropriate gaming period! However, it is a reality we face. Encouragement and education of students and their families to make appropriate personal choices regarding gaming and online usage should be included, as well as the suggestion to find a balance between gaming/computer use and outside activities/other interests. As with anything, gaming should be used in moderation and with purpose, whether educational or for entertainment.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Social Networking - Week Nine
The National Institute on Media and the Family has the best resources that I have found yet concerning educating parents as to how to keep their family safe in today’s technological world. They cover many topics, one being Social Networking. Their two newest readings are: Guide to Social Networking: Rewards and Guide to Social Networking: Risks.
A quick summary of “risks” are as follows:
*Avoid inappropriate information, using full birthday, address/phone number, and any schedules.
*Know most of the people that are added as “friends”.
*These are public spaces so avoid private conversation topics.
*Keep deeply personal information in a “real life” journal.
*Post only appropriate pictures/videos and limit who accesses them.
In turn, the “rewards”:
*Research shows networking online allows connections in new ways.
*Social networking is a way to strengthen relationships.
*New interests can be explored and new opportunities can arise.
*Kids who might have a hard time otherwise, may find a strength of their own through online communications.
*Social networking allows access to new information that may not have been available in a home or school setting.
Schools and families need to work together to set boundaries, guidelines, and rules for a safe online networking experience for students. They can achieve this by communicating with each other and sharing information. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing in the online world and students need to be supported in these digital times. Schools and teachers need to be equipped with the technologies and knowledge to support students in our ever changing world!
A quick summary of “risks” are as follows:
*Avoid inappropriate information, using full birthday, address/phone number, and any schedules.
*Know most of the people that are added as “friends”.
*These are public spaces so avoid private conversation topics.
*Keep deeply personal information in a “real life” journal.
*Post only appropriate pictures/videos and limit who accesses them.
In turn, the “rewards”:
*Research shows networking online allows connections in new ways.
*Social networking is a way to strengthen relationships.
*New interests can be explored and new opportunities can arise.
*Kids who might have a hard time otherwise, may find a strength of their own through online communications.
*Social networking allows access to new information that may not have been available in a home or school setting.
Schools and families need to work together to set boundaries, guidelines, and rules for a safe online networking experience for students. They can achieve this by communicating with each other and sharing information. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing in the online world and students need to be supported in these digital times. Schools and teachers need to be equipped with the technologies and knowledge to support students in our ever changing world!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wikis - Week Seven
Wikis, without a doubt, have great potential as a Web 2.0 tool both in the classroom, and as a teacher communication tool. A Wiki is like a journal, note, or paper that can be edited by all users in a particular group, and in some cases, by any user.
The challenges we face as educators is instilling the knowledge that students must be critical and evaluative when using wikis, especially when gleaning information from them. The source of the information becomes a very important question to ask. Three recommended Wiki sites are:
*pbwiki
*wetpaint
*wikispaces
You can visit the Web’s most well known Wiki at http://www.wikipedia.org/. Here anyone can edit or add any information they choose to. The potential for use of wikis in educational settings is great. Setting up wikis for communication and skills practice can greatly enhance any educational program.
The challenges we face as educators is instilling the knowledge that students must be critical and evaluative when using wikis, especially when gleaning information from them. The source of the information becomes a very important question to ask. Three recommended Wiki sites are:
*pbwiki
*wetpaint
*wikispaces
You can visit the Web’s most well known Wiki at http://www.wikipedia.org/. Here anyone can edit or add any information they choose to. The potential for use of wikis in educational settings is great. Setting up wikis for communication and skills practice can greatly enhance any educational program.
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