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Uses of Second Life in Higher Education: Three Successful Cases

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New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology

This paper seeks to evaluate how educators in particular are using Second Life, and observes the successes and shortcomings they have experienced through their explorations in the Second Life ¡°metaverse.¡±

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Uses of Second Life in Higher Education: Three Successful Cases Jenny Wongtangswad Hui-Yin Hsu Master of Science in Instructional Technology
Case 1: Case Western Reserve University¡¯s Virtual Campus Tour ? Case Western spent approximately $30,000 to construct a virtual campus in Second Life ? Attracting prospective students who were unable to attend a campus tour in-person
? For prospective students to interact and converse with current students during times where admissions officials were not always present ? Approximately 40 students made virtual visits during the virtual campus¡¯ lifespan in Second Life ? Request SL campus visit: http://admission.case.edu/secondlife.asp
Case 2: SUNY ONEONTA MUSIC PROJECT ? Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York (SUNY) ? Involved students from the Music Program at SUNY ? Nine volunteer students participated in an extra credit internship program in Second Life ? Each group organized a concert enlisting established Second Life performers ? Students were responsible for the publicity, technical requirements, and working with the performers to ensure each concert went smoothly ? Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students attended the concert
Case 3: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) uses Second Life as a Student Lab ? Most MIT¡¯s virtual campuses are devoted entirely to student experimental projects ? MIT reinforces student collaboration and encourages exploration of the virtual world (i.e. building design) ? Express Opinions: Deliver speech through megaphone & use avatars to show their agreement or disagreement with the speaker¡¯s point of view ? Help prospective students determine which residential hall would be the best fit for them
? MIT SL project list: ? https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SL/The+Second+L ife+Project+List
Possibilities ? Replicate campuses in the virtual world: recruitment ? Distance learning: strengthen sense of community ? Encourage students to participate in exploring the educational benefits of Second Life ? Alumni reunion ? Exhibit: virtual showcase ? Practice voting, protest
Possibilities ? Collaboration: students hold after-class chats about their assignments, collaborate with another cohort ? Virtual seminar or performance: Panel discussions and/or virtual orchestra performance ? Organizing events ? Obtain experience: work as magazine editor, hostesses, sales clerks and dancers
Criticisms ? Technical requirements ? Second Life does not accommodate for users with disabilities such as visual or mobility impairments. ? Unregulated sexual content ? Intruders

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Uses of Second Life in Higher Education: Three Successful Cases

  • 1. Uses of Second Life in Higher Education: Three Successful Cases Jenny Wongtangswad Hui-Yin Hsu Master of Science in Instructional Technology
  • 2. Case 1: Case Western Reserve University¡¯s Virtual Campus Tour ? Case Western spent approximately $30,000 to construct a virtual campus in Second Life ? Attracting prospective students who were unable to attend a campus tour in-person
  • 3. ? For prospective students to interact and converse with current students during times where admissions officials were not always present ? Approximately 40 students made virtual visits during the virtual campus¡¯ lifespan in Second Life ? Request SL campus visit: http://admission.case.edu/secondlife.asp
  • 4. Case 2: SUNY ONEONTA MUSIC PROJECT ? Professor of Chemistry at the State University of New York (SUNY) ? Involved students from the Music Program at SUNY ? Nine volunteer students participated in an extra credit internship program in Second Life ? Each group organized a concert enlisting established Second Life performers ? Students were responsible for the publicity, technical requirements, and working with the performers to ensure each concert went smoothly ? Over 100 SUNY Oneonta students attended the concert
  • 5. Case 3: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) uses Second Life as a Student Lab ? Most MIT¡¯s virtual campuses are devoted entirely to student experimental projects ? MIT reinforces student collaboration and encourages exploration of the virtual world (i.e. building design) ? Express Opinions: Deliver speech through megaphone & use avatars to show their agreement or disagreement with the speaker¡¯s point of view ? Help prospective students determine which residential hall would be the best fit for them
  • 6. ? MIT SL project list: ? https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SL/The+Second+L ife+Project+List
  • 7. Possibilities ? Replicate campuses in the virtual world: recruitment ? Distance learning: strengthen sense of community ? Encourage students to participate in exploring the educational benefits of Second Life ? Alumni reunion ? Exhibit: virtual showcase ? Practice voting, protest
  • 8. Possibilities ? Collaboration: students hold after-class chats about their assignments, collaborate with another cohort ? Virtual seminar or performance: Panel discussions and/or virtual orchestra performance ? Organizing events ? Obtain experience: work as magazine editor, hostesses, sales clerks and dancers
  • 9. Criticisms ? Technical requirements ? Second Life does not accommodate for users with disabilities such as visual or mobility impairments. ? Unregulated sexual content ? Intruders