One of our teachers recently attended a conference where she heard about something called Second Life that is apparently being used for distance learning. What exactly is Second Life?
Second Life is a Web-based virtual world where users can interact with one another. Recently several major colleges and universities have started using Second Life to host online classes and projects. Generally, these institutions purchase virtual islands where access can be restricted to faculty and students. To date, it appears that once students overcome technical difficulties, they prefer the virtual world to more traditional online course systems.
Secondary schools are also experimenting with using Second Life for distance learning. Second Life hosts a special area called a 'grid' for teens. Following very specific guidelines and restrictions, education institutions are able to purchase islands on the teen grid for instructional purposes.
To learn more, visit Second Life.
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