Learning and Teaching in the Virtual World of Second Life [Paperback]

Judith Molka-Danielsen (Editor), Mats Deutschmann (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2009 | ISBN-10: 8251923530 | ISBN-13: 978-8251923538

Virtual worlds are increasingly incorporated into modern universities and teaching pedagogy. Over 190 higher education institutions worldwide have done teaching in the virtual world of Second Life (SL). This book is based on the first Scandinavian project to experiment with the design and testing of teaching platforms for life long learning in SL. In 2007, it created a virtual island or "sim" in SL called "Kamimo Education Island." The project generated a number of courses taught in SL, and instructed educators in the use of SL. This book disseminates the experiences and lessons learned from that project and from other educational projects in SL. The book identifies the gaps in traditional forms of education. It provides a roadmap on issues of instructional design, learner modeling, building simulations, exploring alternatives to design, and integrating tools in education with other learning systems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Tapir Academic Press (February 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8251923530
• ISBN-13: 978-8251923538
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #506,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars more plausible than business uses, July 2, 2009

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W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Learning and Teaching in the Virtual World of Second Life (Paperback)

There has been somewhat of a backlash against Second Life, in the context of business applications. The tangible financial benefits of that have proved illusory to many businesses who set up storefronts on Second Life. In contrast, this book offers educational uses that seem far more plausible.

Here, the emphasis is on teaching students via a virtual experience that can draw the attention and keep it. It is still possible to be cynical and consider this to be little more than a glorified video game. But the book shows that Second Life can indeed be interesting and even addictive in a good way to many students.