Second Life

I've been in SL for a few months and have done quite a bit of exploring, learning and meeting new people from all over the world. I've gone to lectures about Special Education, about science... I've seen concerts, learned about composers... I enjoy going to the museums, one of my favorites is the Abyss Museum of Ocean Science. I'll never dive to the bottom of the ocean but in SL I can walk around on the bottom, click on links to research and learn more information on the Web and I can come face-to-face with all kinds of creatures of the deep.

What I have found:
•Universities from around the world in SL
•Other countries represented in SL: Israel, France, Turkey...
•NASA, NOAA, ISTE, Discovery Education Network
•Science Friday from NPR
•People to practice languages with...
•Live music, theater, movies, dancing...

The possibilities of SL are endless and will only grow for me as a teacher. As a teacher of 11 & 12 year olds, I am unable to take my students into this world but as they get older they will get there. I am fascinated by the work of a colleague and his teen grid island 13-18 yrs old in which he teaches them computer science, robotic and applied technology. The things these students are creating are amazing!



If you are logged into SL you can use a Slurl to go to the Abyss Museum of Ocean Science.





An article I found in Transforming Education Through Technology had a good piece on Second Life, what it is and how it is important to education.

Gaming

Gaming can and does have its place in the classroom if the game enforces a skill, provides a usable assessment, or encourages discussion about content according to T. Snyder. Moderation and vigilance should be used when using games to help alleviate the fear of inappropriate games. Educational games can help supplement the curriculum or be used to review skills. Teachers must teach students the games within the context of the curriculum.

•Girls game too and look for roles that are powerful and independent.
•Games can challenge us ethically by seeing behavior in a virtual space.
•Gaming is educational.
•Games can be used for teaching global issues.

As a teacher, I am always looking for ways to hook my students in the curriculum. Educational games that are available online in many forms are a way to achieve this. I also find that I like the games too and will take time to learn some of them to help my students become successful also. Games have always been a part of school and in this century they can be incorporated with technology. I think that there is an education that needs to take place besides just getting the students interested. The parents also must be included in the games and why they are important.

Social Media

There are lots of rewards and risks involved with social media but 21st century skills need to be included in the curriculum and can be taught using social media. Whether children are taught blogging in school or taught how to navigate a social network they are going to be involved at some point. Educators should be incorporating these in their classes. Resources like the Guides to Social Networking: Rewards and Risks and other literature on the website for National Institute on Media and the Family, are good places to start a conversation with other teachers and with parents.

•Parents must be aware of what their kids are doing, online or offline.
•Students must be educated in Internet safety, by teachers and parents.
•Blogging is a form of communication along with texting...
•There is a lots of fear from change, especially with regards to the Internet.

As a teacher I need to also be aware of social media, even if I don't use it in my classroom. I need to be aware of the different sides to the issue and know what my students are talking about. Ideally I can use it to their advantage to help them learn and be excited about learning in a way that is engaging and even fun.