SLMOOC16: Final work. My reflections.

From April 1-30 2016 has taken place the Second Life Mooc on Moodle platform. The theme of the SLMOOC16 was peace through learning and connecting online for instruction and learning via web technologies such as Second Life. All lessons and events have been organized in three learning areas: WizIQ, MoodleforTeachers and Second Life.

This experience gave to me the opportunity to be connected with the other attendees. All partecipants introduced their first life and second life avatar in an introduction forum. But there were many ways to cooperate and to have an exchange. Speakers and tutors have been approachable and supported learners with their comments and especially by example.

After all, the level of partecipation in Second Life by schools and universities suggests considerable confidence that the application really does effectively combine technologies with the quality of a shared space. So I convinced myself that virtual worlds allow students to interact in 3D spaces. I didn’t imagine how many educators pursue hundreds of experiments to elucidate the elements of a meaningful educational experience in fields ranging from music to the sciences to history.

I partecipated in some webinars, especially in SL. But sometimes, unavoidable work engagements prevented me from taking live sessions, so I watched many of them registred on YouTube Channel. After the Opening Dance, when many partecipants got to know one another, my first lesson has been in the Community Virtual Library: there I knew for the first time a virtual world and its possibilities for teaching and learning, guided by Valery Hill.  

But only after I heard Nancy Zincrone and her food for thought about How to change look in SL, I thought that a radical change in perspective is needed, and even if it’s an hard job, we can be pioneers! 

In that sense, to take part of this course and to meet other “pioneers” has been a great opportunity. Gentle Heron guided to the heart of some interesting questions, for example How virtual ability supports education, educators and students, contributing to a positive behavior change. A more applicative lesson about Easy methods for making exceptional online videos took place by John Orlando. He showed how effectively use some video presentation tools (I immediately tested them!). 

I still want to mention Learn in town; an example how learning by doing (in this case by listening) can be useful to learn english as L2. Fundamental the lesson of Nancy Zincrone about Resouces for teachers in VW.

During the event I happened to reflect that in Italy, where I live, this change is still far from practice, although more and more teachers have questions about teaching strategies.

Although I have no experience in VW, SLMOOC attracted my interest both as a teacher (but learner) and as individual. I have a natural and favourable predisposition for knowing and welcoming training initiatives. They enrich me in my life and in my profession and I need them to inspire myself.

Therefore the first challenge I might encounter in implementing this way of teaching is to involve colleagues in a cooperative work.

To do this, I would show them the real potential of VW, perhaps taking them on tour through some of the most interesting places in Second Life. I am certain that they would be exited about the opportunities that virtual environments can offer. VW enable teachers and students to work together synchronously and then return, individually or as a team. The learning space is always available, not just for geographically dispersed groups but even those who meet regularly in the physical world. This is particularly useful when students require more flexible schedules or need to work asynchronously on the same project. But what is fantastic is that virtual environments help to diffuse a learning component or entire programs exclusively in immersive learning worlds.

This is what I would like to do in my future, amplifying teaching and learning beyond capabilities afforded by teleconference calls and web presentation tools, but also training simulations. What’s better? Reading about Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in a book or walking through the chapel doors and flying up to the top of the ceiling for a closer look?

In conclusion, I would know where education is going and what are the downsides when using VW.

1/05/2016                                                                                           Claudia de Crescenzo