In this blog, we will discuss the use of Second Life and other vertual online games. The big question is: Does this have a place in education? Great question with a complicated answer. In some ways, I am skeptical because it could be just another distraction from the main content if students were to get off task. On the other hand, students love video games and they are learning other things through them, why not allow them to learn content through this kind of gaming. If it is used right, I can see how it would benefit expecially students who are visual learners.
However, there are "adult" places on Second Life that teachers need to be aware of due to the inappropriate content. The students that I serve would be especially vunerable because most of them are 17-21 years of age. It would be easy for them to get to places where they shouldn't because of their age and having to sign in as an adult and not a teen. So I am leary there.
I'm not sure how long it would take for a teacher to set this up for students, that would be another consideration. And yet I am intreged enough that it would be fun to try - it would be something that would help motivate my students to learn. I would like to check into it. However, I tried to follow the link for a trial and it was blocked by the school - I think, I could not get to it, so that would be another issue.
My kids are getting an XBox 360 kinect for Christmas, I am planning on experimenting with that first to see what I can do and practice with my kids.
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