Home › Blogs › blairio's blog › Second life
      TeachingEnglish
      Second life
      Submitted by blairio on 28 December, 2008 - 08:38

      I am interested to know what people think about using Second Life for ESL.  Are there any examples of anything on the Internet?  I am sceptic myself - I can't really see what second life can bring without much fuss.  Surely using an online environment will alienate as many people as it will engage.

      Average: 4 (6 votes)

      Tag

      Comments

      NikPeachey's picture
      NikPeachey
      EFL ESL in Second Life
      Submitted on 30 December, 2008 - 13:23
      Hi Blairio   I think Second Life can be a great tool for language teaching. It offers the potential for authentic communication with real native speakers as well as a host of potential for designing tasks for learners that would be impossible in ordinary classrooms or distance learning platforms.   I have been involved for some time in designing materials for Second Life language learning and in helping teachers to use the medium.   I have developed series of video tutorials forteachers which you can see at: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4879C4F5AEB61B3C   I also present an educational chat show on behalf of The Consultants-E where i interview educationalists working in SL. See: http://quickshout.blogspot.com/2008/12/coffee-with-kim-anubis.html 
         I have written some articles on materials design for SL too: http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/2007/06/materials-design-for-virtual-worlds.html
        It's true as you say that not all learners will like this and some will be put off by SL, but others will find it very stimulating and engaging so i think we as teachwers need to examine this potential and keep an open mind about the possibilities that virtual worlds offer our students.   Best   Nik Peachey | Learning Technology Consultant, Writer, Trainer
      Teacher Development: http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/
      News and Tips: http://quickshout.blogspot.com/
      Student Activities: http://daily-english-activities.blogspot.com/
      My Office in Second Life at: http://tinyurl.com/ytz5go
      HowardVickers's picture
      HowardVickers
      Virtual Words for Language Education
      Submitted on 30 December, 2008 - 21:37

      Hello Blairio

      Nik has already given some great resources for language teaching in Second Life and exploring his websites (see links at end of Nik's post) would be certainly time well spent.

      I would add that there is a wide range of approaches to 3D virtual worlds (such as Second Life) by language educators and this is most apparent when attending SLanguages, which is an annual conference for language education with 3D virtual worlds.

      Some language educators focus on the immersive and game-like nature of virtual worlds, whereas others draw more on its social qualities. An unusual aspect of Second Life (compared to other virtual worlds) is that anyone can build anything and this can be integrated into language learning, as mentioned in Nik's interview of Gavin Dudeney - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLpb7f06LmI.

      Please do come along on 8 & 9 May 2009 (further information on www.slanguages.net). This same website has presentations from last year's event and videos of many Second Life language education projects.

      Another way to find out what is happening in this area is the RezEd group (http://www.rezed.org/group/languagelearninginvirtualworlds).

      I agree with both you and Nick (and I am sure, many others), that Second Life is not for everyone, but I can't help thinking that virtual worlds are following the path taken by so many technological developments - namely that they simply become part of our life in some shape or form. I know several people who were committed to not having a mobile phone; but that commitment seems to have faded over the years!

      Moreover, the range of 3D virtual environments is rapidly expanding, including 3D spaces within the browser such as www.3Dxplorer.com and www.exitreality.com. Although these browser-based solutions do not offer the same complexity and interactivity as Second Life, they are more accessible (no download and easier to use).

      Considering the developments with virtual worlds and the increasing interest in their educational uses, I see it increasingly in terms of "how" rather than "whether".

      Best wishes

      Howard

       

      NelbaQuintana's picture
      NelbaQuintana
      Virtual Worlds for language Education
      Submitted on 31 December, 2008 - 22:04

      I am very interested in Second Life because I think it is a fantastic tool for language learning . I agree with Nik and Howard that it is not for everybody. First of all, because the hardware requirements are really a problem. Few people have a powerful pc with a good internet conection.

      Another thing to point out is that - at least in Argentina- most people think SL is a game or a place for meeting and just chatting with people. That is a pity and I am worried about the possibility that it will become a mere entertainment just the TV.

      Anyway, I am not pessimistic and agree that it depends on "how" we use it.

      Best wishes from Argentina

      Prof. Nelba Quintana - Nelba Aeon in SL

       

      NelbaQuintana's picture
      NelbaQuintana
      8 & 9 May 2009 Second Life meeting
      Submitted on 31 December, 2008 - 22:13

      Hi, Howard: Interesting info, thanks. I know Gavin Dudeney...in fact, he introduced me to SL.

      At present I am participating in SL sessions called SLexperiments http://slexperiments.pbwiki.com/ The leader is Nergiz. We meet once a week and interchange experiences. I am a bit of a newbie. Learning to live and create things in SL takes me time, but I have made some friends (colleagues). I teach English as a Second Language, and I will probably teach Spanish as a Second Language in SL.

      Teaching in virtual worlds involves pretty different methods from teaching face to face (f2f). I have posted about my experiences in SL in my blog

      http://englishvirtualcommunity.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-life-in-second-life.html

      Best wishes from ARgentina

      Prof. Nelba Quintana - Nelba Aeon in SL