Higher Education in Virtual Worlds: Teaching and Learning in Second Life (International Perspectives on Education and Society)

Virtual Worlds are a new interface through which people can meet and collaborate with others using their natural voice, sharing PowerPoint presentations, videos, team meetings, as well as other sorts of simulations and role playing. 'Education in Second Life' is an important type of distance learning. Certainly it enables classes to meet without the overhead that goes with the traditional brick and mortar classroom building. Also, the environmental impact associated with commuting is eliminated. This volume is a forum for leaders in utilizing the Second Life virtual world in higher education to share their experience and ideas. Second Life is free and readily accessible. The characters called avatars used in virtual worlds can gesticulate and smile creating an immediacy supporting learning. Some universities such as the Open University involve non-academic staff in using and supporting activity in virtual worlds. We hope this book will help you to join us in extending this new frontier of education.