Teaching English as a Second Language in Second Life Angelina Macedo Escola Básica dos 2º e 3º Ciclos Gualdim Pais – Tomar angelina.m.macedo@ gmail.com
Morgen String http://morgen-virtualworlds.blogspot.com/
Contents of talk Second Life: a basic description
Educational presences in Second Life Some educational tools Some educational activities Conclusions
Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009
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In recent years, universities have conducted experiments with the use of virtual 3D worlds for teaching and learning. […] By 2011 it is estimated that about 80% of active Internet users will have an “avatar” and/or a “second life” in some forms of virtual environment. Chang et al. (2009)
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Second Life: a basic description
Second Life
is an
online, 3D virtual world
imagined and created by its Residents (from http://secondlife.com) It’s Virtual
a
Second
Life
isn’t
a
game;
It has neither set rules, nor scores or even a story; But people can create
Multi-User
games there…
Environment
which was opened to public
in
2003
by
Linden Lab; Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009
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Second Life: a basic description
Second Life is a social networking meant to be profitable; is very popular; runs on Linden Lab server; can be explored and used with no expenses; unless you want to have your own place (buy or rent it and pay a fee);
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Second Life: a basic description
From http://secondlife.com/whatis/avatar/
ďƒ˜Residents in Second life mediate their presence through their avatars (3D representations) that can be either human, animal or object.
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Second Life: communication
Computer-mediated Communication; It can be verbal through voice chat or written text; notecards, profiles, Instant Messages (private or in local chat); Nonverbal; Small Group; Interpersonal.
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Second Life: a basic description It encourages a socio-constructivist learning approach, enhances synchronous interactions, and peer collaboration; Immersion faciliates the creation of bonds and of a learning community. Language teachers use SL to provide simulation of real life contexts and encourage students to improve their language skills in a more creative and realistic way.
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Educational presences in Second Life
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
If
you
search
SL
for
institutions where to learn English,
the
following
information will appear. Besides
the
places
indicated here, there are more in SL.
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Educational presences in Second Life
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Avatar Languages; British Council Isle; Cypris Village – English Learning Community; Education UK Island;
Edunation; English Conversation; English Language School;
English Village; ESL –Learn English – language Lab; International Schools Islands; Second Life English;
TESOL, TOEFL, ESL & EFL (English) Resources! Learn English! Voice 3D English. Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009
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Educational presences in Second Life
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Other landmarks where specific activities are developed: Business English Training; Library of Haiku; Practice Classroom for Trainee Teachers; Renaissance Island Jousting Arena;
The British Literature Classroom; The Cave Literature Alive! The CHSS Edgar Poe Classroom;
The Shakespeare Island Sim; The SL Global Theatre; SLSC Academy of Performing Arts;
TLE Theatre Classroom.
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Educational presences in Second Life
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Other interesting landmarks: A Christmas Carol ; Arles – Vicent Van Gogh’s Home; Classic Art Textures & Paintings; Classic Paintings Art Gallery Museum;
College of North West London; Hyde Park London; Knightsbridge, London SN3 England;
Mayfair London W1 – Mayfair Shopping; Merry Christmas – Winter Wonderland The Art gallery, Vassar Island (Vassar College and home of the Sistine Chapel Re-creation) …
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Some educational tools Presentation • Projectors • Givers • Powerpoint presenters, video viewers • Notecard readers
Communication • SpeakEasyHud • Chat meeting moderator • Translators
Information • Announcement boards • Notice boards • Signs
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Some educational tools Quiz/ Poll / Games • Quiz Master • Mousetrap Board Games • Opinionator
Creation of Content / Environments • Holodecks • Builder’s Buddy Scene
Evaluation • Feedback Survey Tool • Sloodle quiz chair • AbTech – Contest Board
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Some educational activities
The Merlin Quest, British Council Isle
Nessie Hunt
Realm of Avalon, Role Play
Storytelling on ABC Island
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Some educational activities
Conference
Poetry reading
Simulation
Workshop
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Some educational activities
Immersive description
Conversation practice socialising
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Conclusions
SL has some components that facilitate innovation and pedagogical activities in online education : extended or rich interaction; visualization and contextualization; exposure to authentic content and culture; individual and collective identity play; immersion in a 3D environment; simulation; community presence and content production. (Warburton and Perez-Garcia, 2009) Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009
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Conclusions ďƒ˜ Second Life affordances expose learners to language learning, to meaningful interaction, collaboration, sharing, decision making, critical thinking, experiential learning in order to develop real life skills and competencies in the virtual community. ďƒ˜ Nevertheless teachers must keep in mind that they need to apply teaching approches that differ from those applied in face-to-face contexts. Real life teaching expertise does not guarantee Second Life positive outcomes.
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References Chang, V., Gütl, C., Kopeinik, S., & Williams, R. (2009). Evaluation of Collaborative Learning Settings in 3D Virtual Worlds. International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning (IJET), 4 (7). Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://online-journals.org/ijet/article/view/1112/1163 Constable, C., (2007). A short introduction to Second Life. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaLKFeJLnqI Dudeney Ge (n.d.). Second Life, EduNation, from http://slurl.com/secondlife/EduNation%20II/132/215/22/ and https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=8 76838 Second Life Avatar (n.d). Retrieved on 12 November, 2009 from http://secondlife.com/whatis/avatar/ Techsan, K., (2009). vTSTC Teaching/Learning Tools. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirOV1ADNn8 Warburton, S. & Perez-Garcia, M., 2008. “Design forLearning in Virtual Worlds: the tension between control and pedagogic approach”. Retrieved June, 20, 2009 from http://www.slideshare.net/stevenw/designfor-learning-in-virtual-worlds-presentation Note: all the landmarks mentioned in this presentation can be found in SL using the search button for places.
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• Thanks for your attention!
• Any questions?
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