Di’s E-learning Experience

Recently when I have been looking at articles on distance learning and the virtual classroom I have come across regular references to the Web page Second Life.  What is this I thought?  After some surfing the net I have discovered it is an Internet based virtual world .  There are many articles promoting the innovation of this program for the future of e-learning.  However, I have also come across some articles that present arguments against Second Life.  Some of these arguments are that it is anti-social, people come addicted to the game and their real world existence suffers etc. 

Decision made!! If I am going to understand and learn about Second Life and its uses in respect to e-learning and the virtual classroom, I will have to join and experience it for myself. 

Well, I have now joined, downloaded the software I need to run the program and logged on.  This may seem a naive comment to the many who are experienced in  Second Life or playing 3D games, but Wow!!!! this site is amazing.  And I have no idea what I am doing? I am determined to keep going. 

Firstly, I have to create my avatar, or my virtual world persona.  I can be who ever I like???  With the flick of a switch (or should I say mouse) I can loose 20kgs, grow my hair and get a sun tan!!

My avatar completed, I decide to venture into the 3D world, experimenting with running and flying (crashing as well).  I have to admit I am very much a novice however I managed to fill a couple of hours exploring this new 3D world.  And I am fascinated!!!  This virtual learning experience will certainly be continued.  Further reports on Second Life to follow.

It sounds like a quote or saying that could be included on my thought(s) for the day page on e-learning, but no it is the school motto for the Broken Hill School of the Air.  My first five years of primary education was with Broken Hill School of the Air and Blackfriars Correspondence School, and I guess I was participating in a virtual classroom in one of its earliest forms.  Recently my mother visited Broken Hill and bought me back a DVD on the present day School of the Air. I found it very interesting to see the evolution of the School of the air program, though somewhat surprised that it was only in 2003 that the VHS radio system was replaced by a satellite system of delivery.

The students no longer rely on  a couple of radio broadcasts a day to supplement their weekly mail out of lessons.  This new technology open a whole new dimension to education for those students living in the remote areas of Australia.  All students have access to their own PC and are linked to the School’s intranet site.  Students are now able to see their teachers, share message site, work samples and photos.  Teachers are able to give students lessons, and they can in-turn watch and respond in real time.  It also gives the students access to experiencing the cultural aspects of a classroom environment.

This virtual classroom in the remote areas of Australia opens up a vast array of advantages  for school and vocational students that include:

• breaking down the communication barriers
• faster feedback for both students and teachers
• Teachers are able to observe student body language
• teachers/students can observe demonstrations
• gives students a sense of belonging, or being a member of a class
• students/teachers able to participate in group discussions and enable interactivity between class members and their teacher.
• makes lessons more interesting and highly motivating