CONNECT (ing) with Students Online tools to reach the Tech-savvy student
Date: April 9th,10th,11th
What’s The Problem The Programs Side by Side Comparison Taking a break Lesson Plan Analysis and Conclusions
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The Problem?
T
aking vacations is meant to be a time in which we turn the phones off and enjoy all the beauty of the places we visit. However, with social networking such as Facebook and Twitter, keeping people up to date and staring at our phone instead of staring at what’s in front of us. Students, like the one here are no exception. Instead of “SMH” (shaking my head) at them, we should embrace this medium and act upon it through the two resources discussed in this brochure. Google Earth and Second Life allow students to visit landmarks, museum’s, and reenactments, all while holding onto their favorite thing, the internet. Although there are some serious drawbacks and a large learning curve for some educators, the benefits are there. Although there are not full versions of these two programs for phones, using them on the computer in the classroom can be done. These sites can be used in classrooms as an introduction and visual stimulation for students in your class that learn best this way. In addition the cost looks appealing as well. For people that don’t feel like spending 800 dollars on a new iPad that will be obsolete in 3 months, these two programs give you most if not all of their features for a cool zero dollars. So enjoy this side by side comparison of some the newest ways to reach our tech savvy students.
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Second Life An online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. Residents can explore the world (known as the grid), meet other residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, and create and trade virtual property and services with one another.
Google Earth a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) funded company acquired by Google in 2004. Google Earth is simply based on 3D maps, it has the capability to show 3D buildings and structures (such as bridges),
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The Alamo Our class decided this was the place to meet. Here students were able to become friends in order to teleport and explore areas with one another. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
N
Y
Near the Statue of Liberty Although this states the statue of Liberty , it is nice to take a break once in a while. Due to the architecture displayed here, teachers can use this to display gothic art and statues. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
N
N
N
Y
The Acropolis After visiting the Acropolis in real life, this Second Life island is spot on. Use this area when teaching about Ancient Rome or Greece. There are plenty of other islands in Second Life devoted to these cultures.. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
Machu Pichu
Appearance
The only problem with this area was the detail. Low quality is the best way to describe it. The stones got lost within the green landscape. Not recommended for a classroom, especially with a larger class size. Application Easiness Fun
N
N
N
N
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The Alamo This site looks great but it only has outside views. Although you can see it’s surroundings, inside might be best. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
N
N
Y
The Statue of Liberty Stand tall and proud in the middle of the shot. The statue looks great especially with a 3-D version of NYC in the background
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
The Acropolis Great for use in a Western Civilization classroom. This also really shows you what the surrounding area looks like too.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
Machu Pichu World’s better than Second Life. I detail is strong and it is easy to navigate. Take a look from further away for an even bigger awe.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
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St. Paul’s Cathedral (Inside) Easily one of the most detailed areas in all of Second Life, next to the Sistine Chapel. The stain glass looks great! Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
N
Y
The Oval Office This can be used for any sort of debate or political discussion. Allow students to believe they are actually a part of the political system by allowing them to talk out real world problems in the Oval Office. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
N
Y
World War I Recreation is something Second Life has that Google Earth does not. Allowing students to be in the trenches and examine weaponry first hand. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
Napoleon Bonaparte Art galleries are popular in Second Life. You can explore for hours and hours with areas like the Louvre being accessible. Gone is the era of PowerPoint, and a picture per slide. Talk a walk and look around! Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
N
Y
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St. Paul’s Cathedral (Outside) This might not necessarily be great for a class, since it is not teaching much. It is however easy to find and looks great! Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
N
Y
Y
The White House This is your entrance behind the gates. Might even be better than a field trip, but applying it to a classroom lesson is not really needed.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
N
Y
Y
The Lincoln Memorial This is without question one of the most detailed places on Google Earth. Lincoln can be clearly seen from a good distance.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y
The Louvre Not practical for classroom use, but looks nice for someone who could never visit. Would be nice if you could see the art inside.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
N
Y
Y
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Burj Al Arab This site is beautiful, when done right. On Second Life it lacks everything. Poor job.
Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
N
N
N
N
Vassar College A typical college classroom and looks really old. The wooden chairs are nice and it could be a good place for a virtual classroom. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
N
Y
Take a break and enjoy
Site Under Construction Marilyn Monroe
Camel at Giza
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Burj Al Arab In comparison this site is beautiful. You get the ocean and the height into perspective. Not much application for a class though. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
N
Y
Y
Princeton University This might be nice for student’s as an additional assignment. Especially for Seniors researching schools they are applying to. Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Y
Y
Y
Y Yankee Stadium
Mount Everest
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Objective: SWBAT recognize key concepts and terms associated with World War I through the use of an online simulation of World War I trench warfare on Second Life. Standards: Students will gather and analyze data, as well as use critical thinking skills to determine how best to deal with scarcity of resources. Knowledge and understanding of the past enable us to analyze the causes and consequences of events and developments, and to place these in the context of the institutions, values and beliefs of the periods in which they took place. Introduction: Students will be asked to describe some of the major words and themes of World War I. Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Students will log onto their Second life account. Students will then access the area called World War I in the search bar. Students will be given a worksheet with key terms and themes they might have missed from the Do Now. Students will explore the area and provide answers to the worksheet. Students will also go into detail about some of the major themes through the readings in Second Life as well as in depth analysis of their own findings
Assessment: Completion of worksheet.
The Final Score Appearance
Application
Easiness
Fun
Second Life:
Second Life:
Second Life:
Second Life:
7
7 (W)
2
8
Google Earth:
Google Earth:
Google Earth:
Google Earth:
10 (W)
5
9 (W)
10 (W)
Winner:
Winner:
Winner:
Winner:
Google Earth wins most likely because it is run by actually computer software individuals not just anyone that can create their own world if they pay enough money.
Second Life applies to more hands on activities, and brings students to places that may no longer be in existence. This adds a great deal to it’s application.
Google Earth is much easier to manipulate due to the search function. Although Second Life has one, the results are very limited and usually do not coordinate to your search.
Google Earth clearly dominates this category due to it’s ease of use, and appearance. Everything is more fun when you can experience everything clearly.
Conclusions
B
ased on the analysis of the charts used to judge our locations, Google has won. Only issue with saying this however is assuming that one knows how to use Google Earth. With technology natives such as our students, there comes the technology immigrants, the teachers. So most of this analysis is based on someone having basic skills in operating some sort of program like Google Earth. The information however is unbiased otherwise. Application is universal and Second Life was only slightly more useful. This program offers teachers the ability to see places that are no more, in addition to the inner areas that Google can’t provide. Appearance is also free from computer based knowledge because as long as you know a location, you can find it. Google is the clear winner there, with all ten being easily visible. What we have learned here most is that, for now, these are still fillers, and a way to provide additional and fun information to an activity. Second Life has been struggling recently and at times can be unpredictable with who you might run into. So use it with caution! Google Earth is great and really stands out as the best choice no questions asked.
Resources Near the Statue of liberty - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Le%20Dome/19/10/21 The Meeting at the Alamo - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ UTArlington%20III/161/115/23 The acropolis - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ GREECE/50/24/22 Machu Pichu - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/USMP% 203D/168/51/22 Dublin Ireland - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Dublin/151/108/25 St Paul’s Cathedral - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Grace/73/225/129 Oval Office - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Sialimonus/209/241/68 Cologne Cathedral (Under Construction) - http:// maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtuelles%20Koeln/252/128/37 Cinecitta' Donna Flora, Bonin - http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/Bonin/152/163/23 Riverside Blues Club - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The% 20Delta/100/107/28 Pyramids at Giza - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nile% 20Valley/228/204/24 Statue of David - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tiburon% 20Island%20B/19/201/596 The Western Front - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Ypres/184/80/73