Article #1: Second Life and Education

My Second Life Avatar: Lokelani Andel

Summary

Launched in 2003 by Linden Research Lab (home-based in California), Second Life merely started as a social networking site. From there it evolved into something more than socializing.  It became a means to hold conferences with other real life businesses (such as Dell, IBM, Wells Fargo, etc.), earn income in which play money turns into real money, and above all, it served as an educational platform for many educators around the world. Depending on the situation -- education, business, or fantasy -- simulated environments are created to emulate real/fantasy life and the avatar is delved into a world of wonder and interest. Everything in Second Life is created by everyone who becomes part of it. In visiting the virtual lands -- or "sims" -- one will find many, many places to increase their knowledge about (e.g.) religion by visiting a Mecca Temple, or the ocean and learn about the different sea animals and their habitat. It is literally a world for teachers to gather ideas (networking/teacher education/resource-sharing), utilizing them (professional development), and perhaps bringing them into our real lives for knowledge, education, and self-enrichment.

My Opinion 

As per my previous posting, I am an active member in Second Life since 2005. I have high opinions about this virtual game and both are good and bad. The advantage is the learning environment in which a teacher can engage in with other adults. On the other hand, being around adults has its disadvantages. There is no interaction with children due to legal and obvious reasons, so there is no experience being in a "classroom" full of real kindergartners or senior high school students. On the brighter side, when a child is 13 he/she can get registered in the Teen Grid in Second Life. It is here where adults do actual instruction with middle and high school students. Teachers take the children on field trips and talk about what is going on in that particular part of the sim; sometimes they give quizzes. I feel that Second Life is highly recommended to teachers to learn, collaborate, and create. If a teen enters the Teen Grid (13 - 18 years old), it is highly suggested to keep an eye out on the child. Like any social network, things can get inappropriate when no one is looking. 


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John K. Waters (2009, January 01). A Second Life for Educators.  The Journal. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/01/01/A-Second-Life-For-Educators.aspx?Page=1

Introduction: Leilani T. Olson

Technology and education. It is new. It's also old. But most importantly, it is the NOW. My name is Leilani T. Olson and I want to welcome you to my (research) blog as per my technology class via Western Washington University. I have another blog, which you will find in this blog site as well: "A Teacher Reborn" which is about my journey through my entire education onto becoming an elementary teacher, Post-bac. You are more than welcome to read both and post comments. I do have to warn you, however, in "A Teacher Reborn", I tend to be a bit chatty, so please forgive me. In this blog though, it will have a much different tone as it is more than likely a bit more professional than my previous blog and will contain opinions, research, and cited readings. This blog will be about technology inside a classroom. Advantages and disadvantages will be stated. On the plus side, each blog entry will be much shorter than the former.

First things first....Introduction. I am originally from Guam/Hawaii where I grew up 12 and 23+ years respectively on both islands. I lived in WA State from 1993 and moved to various states from the end of 1998-2004. Currently, I live in Everett and am attending WWU through the Everett Community College site. I have three beautiful children, Gabrielle/currently 17, Jaelin/10, and JT/8. They all attend the Everett School District Schools: Everett High School and Madison Elementary School. I am and have been an active volunteer at Madison Elementary in my son's classroom (see "A Teacher Reborn) ever since winter session 2010. I also did my practicum at Jackson Elementary School. Both schools gave me the upper hand at looking at different sides whereas curriculum and teaching methods goes. It has been quite a positive ride for me and you may read all about it in "A Teacher Reborn".

I am an active member in Second Life ever since 2007 and take pride in what I've done inside the virtual world. Technically, I've been a member in 2005, but haven't gone back until about a year later. I forgot my original username and password so I created a new avatar by the name of Lokelani Andel. I have gotten my daughter, Gabrielle, involved in Second Life inside the Teen Grid. I talked her through it on how to navigate around the game. What she found most intriguing was meeting other kids around the world. This game is definitely a different venue in social networking. What I love most is teaching and helping other "newbies" inside the game. It is definitely a world to experience and I do use it as an educational platform to help others inside this real-time virtual world. Currently, I have my own land where I create and sell things. I am working on a virtual classroom to teach others how to create and build their own virtual materials (such as clothing, jewelry, homes, etc.).

I am a high believer in integrating technology inside our classrooms. It makes for a positive direction in moving our children towards the future. Researching the latest in technology and becoming involve is a teacher's responsibility so he/she could take it INSIDE the classroom and utilize it as a tool. Without it, each generation before us, our generation, and future generations will never move forward.

If interested in Second Life, download the program, www.secondlife.com and you may look for me inside the game as "Lokelani Andel" (just type my name in SEARCH). I will personally help you.