So I have spent the past three hours trying to create my avatar in Second Life. At this point the launcher keeps crashing so I guess I will post and see if it works later this evening. Honestly I am in a bit of a quandary on the subject of virtual environments. I participate on Facebook with an avatar while I play Farmville and Treasure Hunt, as well as have one I have for when I play game on Pogo. I do change my appearance of my Pogo avatar to match the seasons, but in general I have kept it close to my own personal style and tastes. Hopefully I can create something in Second Life that I can use to participate in the various virtual librarian and teacher islands that exist there.
As for integrating virtual realitiies into my teaching this may be a technology that I pass on at the current time. I think I may be with the group mentioned early in the chapter who don't see a huge benefit to this technology, but I like that it was pointed out on the top of page 120 that '...higher education loudly proclimed that the internet was of no practical use..." So far with all the other technologies I can see some practical learning application for me as I tech about using the library, even the Bee Bots are useful in this setting. The one point I will contend is it does allow for creativty and can give voice to people who may be often overlooked.
For some reason I keep coming back to the character in a young adult novel that I am reading, she has had the opportunity to move every six months so she has changed "personality" and even varied her name to go with that persona. This character has also befriend someone who although she may be outgoing has not been accepted and just asking her to join her group of friend one day at lunch they have learned all of her cool abilities and experiences that have fit nicely with her new peer group.
The reason I mention these characters is one, I think this idea of changing ones "personality" to match new surrounding has become main stream with the inclusion of the characters that can be created in the various virtual realiaties. The other thought would be an idea how to possibly implement virtual realities into a class would be to have students create a character for a short story utilizing this technology.
I know my niece is very active in the Webkins site and even registered a couple of my daughters plush animals on the site, but I had never really identified it as a full virtual world. I also see many variations on the multiple children's channels so I know that they are heavily used especially for that tween age group, so I can see the need to integrate them in the future . Hopefully by then a smarter librarian than me can figure out a way to use this as part of their instruction, and share it with my second life me.
As for integrating virtual realitiies into my teaching this may be a technology that I pass on at the current time. I think I may be with the group mentioned early in the chapter who don't see a huge benefit to this technology, but I like that it was pointed out on the top of page 120 that '...higher education loudly proclimed that the internet was of no practical use..." So far with all the other technologies I can see some practical learning application for me as I tech about using the library, even the Bee Bots are useful in this setting. The one point I will contend is it does allow for creativty and can give voice to people who may be often overlooked.
For some reason I keep coming back to the character in a young adult novel that I am reading, she has had the opportunity to move every six months so she has changed "personality" and even varied her name to go with that persona. This character has also befriend someone who although she may be outgoing has not been accepted and just asking her to join her group of friend one day at lunch they have learned all of her cool abilities and experiences that have fit nicely with her new peer group.
The reason I mention these characters is one, I think this idea of changing ones "personality" to match new surrounding has become main stream with the inclusion of the characters that can be created in the various virtual realiaties. The other thought would be an idea how to possibly implement virtual realities into a class would be to have students create a character for a short story utilizing this technology.
I know my niece is very active in the Webkins site and even registered a couple of my daughters plush animals on the site, but I had never really identified it as a full virtual world. I also see many variations on the multiple children's channels so I know that they are heavily used especially for that tween age group, so I can see the need to integrate them in the future . Hopefully by then a smarter librarian than me can figure out a way to use this as part of their instruction, and share it with my second life me.
10/10
ReplyDeleteLoved the connection about the book you are reading. I will have to stay in touch with you and work with you whenever you want an extra techy hand. When I am back from ISTE we will have to do ice tea or soda together (even at the dino cafe) and share information.