I still can't see Second Life or Open Sim really having a significant place in public elementary education anytime soon for several reasons. One, the technological limitations of most classrooms cannot meet the demands of the program, that or the devices available (Ipads/Chromebooks) cannot use the software.
The interface is a little too complex, both in building and managing an inventory. In a few short hours of playing I had already amassed folders worth of notecards and objects. This may be difficult to navigate through for younger students. It also seems difficult to use many objects in any way other than wearing. For instance, in the Winter Safety Game I had received several items, but then could not use them in any discernible way to change the environment or game events. The cat liter would have been great on the hill.
I think someday there might be real potential, If we could somehow mold Minecraft and Second Life into a virtual world accessible on all devices that would be amazing.
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| Pompie House Museum. Had a wonderful audio-tour experience. |
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| Making a wish at the Zoltar Machine in the The State Fair. The next day my avatar turned into Tom Hanks. |
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| BLAST OFF!! Only one brave Kerbal sacrificed his life for this mission. |
A good point about the technology infrastructure in public schools... as we move away from machines that can handle the demands of a 3D world in favor of devices that are cheaper (i.e. Chromebooks), we are also limiting choices - which means excluding not only virtual worlds such as JokaydiaGrid but Minecraft as well. Hard choices, indeed.
ReplyDeleteHi, I agree with the difficulty on adding to the classroom. I find it very "large", not only in classroom time, but IT time as well. Plus, the last survey from the state showed about 70% of students not have the correct device for this. I spent my week exploring, and found it fun, but after hours and hours I am not sure that time could be better just watching a movie and reading Wikipedia. (did i just say that).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that, while the potential is there, the usage of second life is not something that I can see in the younger years in education and I think that even at the high school level, there are enough hazards that I would have to exercise extreme caution and vigilance.
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