How can virtual worlds like Second Life enhance the teaching and learning experiences for students?

Places like Second life can enhance the learning experince of both teachers and students by offering them a place where they can let loose, travel, and have fun and at the same time be playing in a game like atmosphere.

Being able to show students virtual models of famous or even old palces no longer around in the real world give a much more complete experience for the students instead of just pictures or a video.

Issues come when students are messing around, become rude due to the fact they feel it's an online world and won't effect their real life world. So there is a fine line that still needs to be defined beofre the full measure of what Second life can so can be seen by stuents and teahcers alike.

Seth's Second Life Travels

Seth in New York City
When I traveled to NYC, it was very cluttered, and very modern. I enjoyed looking around and found these pictures of fashion which I thought fit the city nicely,

Seth in Las Vegas
Las Vegas was very cool Trendy, and was at night. Walking around you got more of a feel of a city here then other spots which was fun also.

Seth in "Area 51"
I wanted to see is there was a spot in SL for area 51 the famed location in Nevada where they are supposed to house Aliens. This is as close to it as I could find. I didn;t see any aliens but there were odd buildings to cheak out though.

Seth in ancient Rome
Hey if you can fly why not. So I flew about ancient Rome. The gardens and buildin were awesome. This was reallly cool to see and enjoy.

Seth in Italy
I then went to Modern Italy, the structres were very clsoe to what you might find there. Again had to fly because you can. This was also nice because it felt like a villa and was enjoyable to relax around.

Waiting for someone or something to show you the way!

Meeting my classmates in the virtual world was beyond weird. It felt like we were interacting more than we would on the phone, but less than we would have in person. You can't truly replicate things like smells (yes, our primal instincts still tell us a lot) or body language. I was surprised and even kind of proud at how well our group members that participated worked so well by cooperation and decision making. It was a fairly cool experience.

I've watched videos on colleges that have virtual representations of themselves on Second Life. I think it would be rather enjoyable to have class that way. Of course having access to that kind of high grade computer would be difficult for everyone to achieve. You could certainly participate more noticeably in class to your teachers if they could see you (your avatar).

Skydiving!!
Surfing in Sydney

Camping in Africa
Drinking in dublin
Searching for aliens in area 51

Real vs Virtual

The real world presents real problems that you have to deal with. If you have a problem in Second Life then you can just sign off, go somewhere else, or create a new Third Life. Everything is easier in the virtual world because problems there have no effect on your real life.

The group meeting was different. Having to learn how to move around, go different places, and take pictures with everyone facing the camera was challenging. As a group i think we did quite well. The meetings before in wiggio were just type back and forth where in Second Life you could see a character and move around.

Second life has the potential to be something great when society is ready for it to go to the teaching aspect. Art is booming already there. The ability to create almost anything and directly share it with anyone you want is amazing. For now i think it is a refuge for those who need a Second life.

Arounrd the World With Hans Terasaur

The Saturn Lounge in sunny San Diego.

Decided to become a gladiator in Rome.

Stopped in for some sushi in Okinawa.

A little daredevil stunt over Niagara Falls.

Saw some sights in Berlin.

Middle East-Stephanie, Seth, Chris