Second Life - Day 4

Introduction

The journey continues as I seek out potential places and react to the different environments in Second Life. I'm starting to feel a bit more comfortable in the virtual world, but I still have been on mostly-empty islands.

Sky Platform

I wanted to go back to Learn It Town - not to the downtown area, but to the Sky Platform. The Sky Platform is a really unique place, and I wanted to explore the different possibilities.

Basically, the Sky Platform functions as a blank slate. When you click on the red "HORIZONS Pro" button, a list of different locations pops up. Click on a location, and the location materializes right before your eyes. When you are finished, you just type "clear" in the chat box, and you are back to your blank slate. Here's what I mean:

 ^^ You can have class on a campground. ^^

 ^^ Or you can meet in a traditional classroom. Not sure why the ground is made of grass, though. ^^

 ^^ A Pharaoh's tomb is one of the environments that you can create. ^^

 ^^ How about a countryside cottage? ^^

 ^^ This library seems like a great place to set a mood for a class. ^^

 ^^ Want to do some situational learning? You can practice car terminology in the garage? ^^

 ^^ As someone who currently lives in Japan, this shrine appealed to me. ^^

 ^^ Students can role play in a hotel. ^^

 ^^ Take your students somewhere they've never been before, like a New York City loft. ^^

 ^^ Students can experience something they've probably only ever seen on TV, like the Oval Office. Imagine having class here! ^^

 ^^ Create a relaxed atmosphere in a garden. ^^

 ^^ Or talk about history in context. ^^

^^ Get your class to relax on the beach. ^^

The Sky Platform is a really unique way to get a variety of locations without actually having to travel anywhere. I think it's a good way to get students comfortable. They can easily choose a location that makes them feel at ease. Lowering the affective filter is a key part of language acquisition. If students feel that they can control their environment within a 3D world, they may feel more at home. 

Additionally, this may play to some students' strengths. If they know a lot about, say, working in a garage, they can transport their teacher and classmates to that environment and share what they know. Or maybe they have to give a report about Stonehenge. It's much more interesting for everyone if they are standing in that environment. 

Of course, there are traditional locations like a classroom or conference room in the Sky Platform. There are also locations where students can do situational learning, such as at the airport or car garage. But part of the appeal of Second Life is that things don't have to be stuck in reality. So why not have a class in a Pharoah's tomb, on the beach, or in the Oval Office? You can really set a mood and create a feeling for your students that you can't do in a traditional classroom.