Reflections of a virtual experience
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This document discusses student experiences and reflections on using Second Life for a class. It includes quotes from multiple students commenting on various themes such as getting used to the technology, interactions, class connections, avatar identity, and comparisons between Second Life and real life. Students describe falling and having trouble walking in Second Life, talking to other students, feeling relaxed on the virtual beach, and realizing outsiders can be recognized by their lack of experience. The document advocates that virtual worlds like Second Life can provide authentic learning experiences when educators provide support and guidance for students.
Reflections of a virtual experience
- 4. Theme 1- Getting Acquainted with the technology Theme 2- Interactions Theme 3- Class connections Theme 4- Identity of Avatar Theme 5- Second Life Vs…. RL and other Technologies
- 5. “I wasn't sure if we should strike up a conversation because a chat box kept popping up. I hope I wasn't being rude. I am not exactly sure of the rights and wrongs yet…” “I fell a few times and had to get right back up. I spent most of my time trying to get out of the "coffee cup".” So what fears should I have? And are they justified? Couldn’t I just create a new “me” whenever I get into trouble? When I walk on SL, sometimes I think that I act "drunk" because I cannot walk straight and either overshoot or undershoot my direction. “you know you can just stand on stuff and press teleport from way far away and just jump from spot to spot. had no idea. i even flew. i am gettting better at flying.”
- 6. “…for the first time today, I hear the chimes and I feel relaxed. So relaxed.....I'm relaxing on the beach - just for a few minutes. Maybe I don't have to buy my own beach house right away after all....” “…while in SL talking to my group mates, I really felt like I was visiting with my peers - almost face to face…” “Someone put a go kart in my inventory and I rode it into the ocean and turned it upside down and it was very difficult to get out of the bottom, I tried to slow down but it just kept going faster and faster, so for fun I sent one to Seven Berkmans because I wanted her to ride it and see what she thought! hee hee.” I know when experienced Second Lifers see me coming they know that I am an outsider trying to become an insider. I never would have thought that I would have talked with people outside of our class in SL.
- 7. “I can’t get the cow out of my mind. It’s all about the cow in this world, isn’t it? Really, it is…” I wonder what symbols would represent a child's perspective? “We may never know the child's perspective” My book talk selection by Gee has been very relevant to my experiences in SL. He talks about the affinity group and how outsiders can be recognized. The revolving disks in the sky reminded of how technology is forever changing and constantly advancing.
- 8. The avatars are closer to the real thing, I guess. Or, perhaps, it is more so to my brain and my brain likes it better than a chat session because it feels realistic - feels face to face, sounds and visuals add to the authenticity, etc., .... She was wearing a pair of pointed high heels which I could never wear in RL, but in SL you can wear anything you want and look anyway you want. For someone who does not like shopping, I seem to be accumulating a rather large inventory of clothes Creating my avatar was frustrating at first. I kept changing things, but could not get it look like me so i bought new hair and some tattoos!! i look hott! I find it interesting how they refer to their avatar and I find it fascinating to see how the avatars will evolve or not.
- 9. “I'll take Real Life over Virtual Life any day” “I wondered if I had seen any restaurants or McDonalds in Sl, I don't remember seeing any.” “I have to ask myself the question, what really is the separation between the real world and the world of SL. We are able to do the same things in both worlds. There are benefits of both experiences. I have the need for both worlds” Spring Break is over and I chose not to be on Second Life at all during that time……. The parks would be a very stimulating sensorial experience and I think I prefer that to the experiences on Second Life.
- 10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NzQqPH3JRw&feature=related MUVE’s like Second Life have the potential to provide rich, authentic learning experiences. Educators should be aware of the learning curve for new environments and provide support and guidance to ensure positive learning outcomes. There are several areas for future exploration and research including: •Identity •Class Content •RL/SL Divide