Journal Article 9
Virtual Worlds
Classroom 2.0
I actually first learned about the virtual world from daughter playing with her Sims games. Then I saw an episode of Law and Order that showed a virtual world that was more like the Second Life virtual world. In case you have never head of Second Life or virtual worlds, they are a computer program that allows a person to create their own world, the only limitations is the persons own imagination. I have not used the program but from comments in classroom 2.0 and articles that I have read the virtual world has great teaching potential. I read about a English Literature teacher who took the books his students were required to read and then created all the places mentioned in the book. The students could actually travel thru the story as they read the story. There was also a History Teacher who had his students develop a time line using the virtual world. The students were able to “see” history and found the project fun but also very educational.
The lessons that can be taught thru virtual worlds are endless. Like most computer programs monitoring students is very important. While there are dangers in the real world, unsupervised students could get into trouble in their virtual worlds also.
I look forward to creating lessons for my students in a virtual world.
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7 comments:
Mary,
I am amazed by the tools out there. Visiting Classroom 2.0 has opened my eyes to things I did know existed. Virtual World is one of those things. I am a History teacher and I can only imagine being able to have my students navigate through the past on a virtual tour. I am going to try this out for myself.
I love this idea. To be able to re-create places that the students are reading about is a great idea. It they were reading The Grapes of Wrath, they could experience going through a "dust-bowl", and traveling from town to town. Like you mentioned it would also be a great tool for creating a timeline in whatever part of history you were studying. I can't wait to try this.
That sounds awesome! It's a kind of modern version of illustrating books. There is something to be said for good old crayons and markers, but it sounds like this is a great way to get students really engaged in literature. This could also be great for history and science. Imagine if somebody had done this for "The Thread That Runs So True" (EDUC 350 reading). They could show Jesse Stuart teaching at each different school, having fist fights in the classroom, haha!
I have never seen Virtual World, but from the way you describe just points out how technology and learning are only limited to the imagination of the people involved. It also makes me wonder what education will be like in the next 10,20 or 100 years, Amazing to ponder.
Creating virtual lessons sounds like a fantastic way to keep students interested in expanding on their school work. I can see how it would be esecially usuful in subjects like history where historical facts are sometimes hard to describe.
Mary: The Virtual world sounds like a great way to get the students engaged in a lesson plan. Thank you for reviewing this tool and also getting feedback from your daughter. I could defintely see myself incorporating Virtual world into at least one or more of my future English lit lesson plans.
Mary thanks for the information on Virtual Worlds. I am excited to see how we as educators might be able to use them in our classrooms.
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