• Silversprite’s Slideshow of UK HE & FE in SL®

http://www.flickr.com/photos/silversprite/sets/72157603982005324/show/

http://www.silversprite.com

Virtual Worlds: Hype or Virtual Worlds: Hype or Reality?Reality?

Jane Chandler (RL) / Lane Erde (SL)Jane Chandler (RL) / Lane Erde (SL)Emma Duke-Williams (RL) / Emmadw Emma Duke-Williams (RL) / Emmadw

Rickenbacker (SL)Rickenbacker (SL)

School of Computing &School of Computing & The ExPERT Centre CETLThe ExPERT Centre CETL

Work also supported by a grant from the HEA-ICS Subject Work also supported by a grant from the HEA-ICS Subject CentreCentre

http://secondlife.com

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Virtual Worlds

What is a virtual world?What is a virtual world?

Dipity TimelineDipity Timeline

Dipity TimelineDipity Timeline

What is a Virtual World?What is a Virtual World?

Computer based?

• Rich, graphical, 3-D environment

• Real people represented by avatars

• Content may be user created

• Various combinations of Chat, IM and voice communication

• May have audio and video streaming

• May have links out to the web

What is an avatar?What is an avatar?

http://www.answers.com/http://www.answers.com/

1. The incarnation of a Hindu deity

2. An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning

3. A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity

http://www.answers.com/http://www.answers.com/

1. The incarnation of a Hindu deity

2. An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning

3. A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity

A representation of a

person who is physically

absentA representation of a

person who is physically

absent

““I, Avatar” *I, Avatar” *

• “An avatar is an interactive social representation of a user”

• “A character in a game … in which you can affect, choose or change the plot”

• “A social creature dancing on the border between fact and fiction”

• A role we inhabit* Mark Meadows, 2008

Second LifeSecond Life®®: A Virtual World: A Virtual World

• Not a game – no rules, no prizes, no winner, no objective

• User created/defined content

• You chose what you look like

• You chose what you do

• Socialise, work, educate, create

Uses of SLUses of SL

• Business

• Holding meetings

• Social / Entertainment

• Simulations

• Education

Educational Uses of SLEducational Uses of SL• Content Creation: art, software,

• Simulations: places, events, buildings

• Classes: lectures, tutorials, ‘treasure hunts’

• Libraries and Museums

• Risky/expensive experiences: running a business, investigating other cultures

• Other: meetings, socialising

Lion Gate Building, University of Portsmouth

Lion Gate Building, University of Portsmouth

Portland Building, University of Portsmouth

Portland Building, University of Portsmouth

Portland Building, University of Portsmouth

NOAA

NOAA

Virtual Morocco

NOAA

Virtual Morocco

Plymouth

Photo from danceinthesky via Flickr

Linden Gallery of Resident Art

Photo from danceinthesky via Flickr

Photo from danceinthesky via Flickr

Linden Gallery of Resident Art

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School

University of Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School

University of Portsmouth

Iowa State University:Blooms Taxonomy

How often do the people How often do the people you interact with see every you interact with see every

aspect of you and your aspect of you and your life?life?

Students’ thoughts on Students’ thoughts on learning in a virtual world …learning in a virtual world …

Best thing about Second Life?

“Interactivity to explore, relative

freedom of expression and overall thoroughly

enjoyable.”

“Different from the norm...”

Worst thing about SecondLife?

“Found myself spending most of the time trying to

accomplish basic tasks, rather than complete the coursework assignment.”

“Playability was not very good in

comparison to other computer games.”

When should/shouldn’t we use SL?

“I don’t believe it should be used at all, puts

experienced users at a massive disadvantage to nonexperienced users.”

“Online meetings in SL was a

bonus.”

Other comments.

“I thought SL was even more irritating

to use than flash within Edcom.”

“Definitely a positive part of

the course.”

Second Life and other platformsSecond Life and other platforms