Second Life teaching tips and collaborative student activities for business Education

Collaborative learning in Second Life An innovative implementation of virtual world and Web 2.0 technology to support synchronous online learningMelinda KorzaanAssociate Professor, Computer Information SystemsJennings A. Jones College of BusinessMiddle Tennessee State UniversityLilly ConferenceNovember, 2011

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MwD9Y10-w70tAo3TauOlw9HKEYg0jXZTUsXJqJNuAD4/edit

Information Technology (IT) Project Risk Assessment and ControlGraduate-level Course

Course ContentIdentify, Analyze, and Prioritize IT Project RisksRisk Response StrategiesStopping/Saving IT Project Catastrophes

Collaborative/Interactive Course ActivitiesCase Study Project Develop an IT Project Risk AssessmentReadings with Group and Class DiscussionGroup TasksResearch Project / Presentation

Originally Met Face-to-Face but Moving Toward Hybrid Format

Student Suggested Meeting in Second Life Why would we do that???

Why Not Meet In Second Life? Risk analysis on meeting in Second LifeEven if we fail we will still learn from the experienceWhats the worst that could happen?Is Second Life a Possible Solution for Providing Interactive, Synchronous Learning? Because learning as an interactive, social process is gaining attention in computer-based educational environments, there is a need for designing computer-based education that can support student collaboration and interaction in real-time, synchronous learning situations. (Allmendinger, 2010)GoalsVirtual MeetingsProvide students with a unique learning experience that would benefit them professionally as Business majors

Adapt Collaborative Learning Activities for an Online EnvironmentPractical, engaging activities focus on learning Project Risk Management

Streamline Learning how to Use Second Life

Economical Preferably Free

Enhance Interaction by Reducing Psychological Distance in Online LearningPhysical separation augments challenge of providing opportunities for interaction (So & Bush, 2008)Fall 2008 Vassar IslandOur very first virtual class meeting in Second Life!

What a Scholarly Group! Vassar Island Fall 2008

Class Meeting Fall 2009Vassar IslandAvatar Group Identity and BondingA Facebook Posting from Halo Vader

Project Disentanglement Getting the Project Back on Track. Thank you Halo Vader!Saving an IT Project from Becoming a Catastrophe Sometimes Takes a Super Hero

Fall 2010MTSU Purchased an IslandOur very own amphitheater to meet in!!

ActivitiesTaking Time to Learn Second Life Allow some time to learn, create, socialize, and explore Second Life

Work on a Virtual IT Risk Project Students develop an IT Risk Assessment from a Case Study

Virtual Team Research Projects and PresentationResearch a topic related to IT Project Risks and Present PPT to class in Second Life

Virtual Class MeetingCollaborate with GoogleDocsDiscussion QuestionsBrainstorming

Taking Time to Learn Second LifeStudents are first given a tutorial and allowed to learn, explore, and develop their appearanceTake Time for Second Life Tutorial, Exploration and CreativityPeaceful and Uncluttered MTSU Island Before Class

Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second LifeMTSU After Class

Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second LifeMy Students Turned MTSU Island into a Forest in 2010

Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second LifeMy Students Turned MTSU Island into an Ocean Reef in 2011

Taking Time to Learn, Develop Avatar Identity and Socialize in Second LifeA lot of activity!

Virtual IT Risk Assessment ProjectIn 2010 a group volunteered to work virtually on their mid-term Risk Assessment Case ProjectVirtual Team Meeting to Work on Risk Assessment ProjectThis is the Green Group working diligently on their project in the Conference Center on MTSU Island

Virtual Team Research Project and PresentationIn 2010 began assigning research projects to be presented in Second Life. The goal is to simulate a virtual team project. Students are given Linden $ and they set up their own PowerPoint Presentation. Each member of the group has a chance to speak.Group Research Presentation Night!Attending the Student Presentations in Second Life

The Virtual Class MeetingClass MeetsGroup Breakout SessionsClass ReconvenesClass begins by meeting as a whole group in the Amphitheater on MTUS IslandClass Meetings Begin with Whole Class at the AmphitheaterChatting with students before class

Class Meetings Begin with Whole Class at the AmphitheaterOmodan is checking out the Discussion Questions before class begins

Class Meetings Begin with Whole Class at the AmphitheaterTime to get started!

The Virtual Class MeetingNext, group breakout sessionsGroup Breakout SessionsThis is the Purple Group working in the KOM on Discussion Questions from the Catastrophe Disentanglement Textbook

The Virtual Class MeetingAfter breakout sessions, time to reconvene back at the Amphitheater. Students will then discuss their answers to discussion questions and at time we will travel to other islands for our class discussion timeAfter Group Breakout SessionsFrom the Amphitheater we teleported to ISTE island where we had a roundtable discussion

Class Dismisses and Avatars Travel Home.or just logoffAvatars Travel HomeClass is over and Im flying home on my Pegasus