teaching english as a second language in second life

Teaching English as a Second Language in Second Life

Angelina MacedoEscola Básica dos 2º e 3º Ciclos Gualdim Pais –

Tomarangelina.m.macedo@ gmail.com

Morgen Stringhttp://morgen-virtualworlds.blogspot.com/

Contents of talk

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Second Life: a basic description

Educational presences in Second Life

Some educational tools

Some educational activities

Conclusions

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Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

In recent years, universities have conducted experiments with the use of virtual 3D worlds for teaching and learning. […] By 2011 it is estimated that about 80% of active Internet users will have an “avatar” and/or a “second life” in some forms of virtual environment.

Chang et al. (2009)

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Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Second Life: a basic description

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Second Life is an

online, 3D virtual world

imagined and created

by its Residents (from

http://secondlife.com)

It’s a Multi-User

Virtual Environment

which was opened to

public in 2003 by

Linden Lab;

Second Life isn’t a

game;

It has neither set rules,

nor scores or even a story;

But people can create

games there…

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Second Life: a basic description

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Second Life

is a social networking meant to be profitable;

is very popular;

runs on Linden Lab server;

can be explored and used with no expenses; unless you

want to have your own place (buy or rent it and pay a fee);

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Second Life: a basic description

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

From http://secondlife.com/whatis/avatar/

Residents in Second life mediate their presence through

their avatars (3D representations) that can be either human,

animal or object.

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Second Life: communication

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Computer-mediated Communication;

It can be verbal through voice chat or written text;

notecards, profiles, Instant Messages (private or in local

chat);

Nonverbal;

Small Group;

Interpersonal.

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Second Life: a basic description

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

It encourages a socio-constructivist learning approach, enhances

synchronous interactions, and peer collaboration;

Immersion faciliates the creation of bonds and of a learning

community.

Language teachers use SL to provide simulation of real life

contexts and encourage students to improve their language skills in

a more creative and realistic way.

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Educational presences in Second Life(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

If you search SL for

institutions where to learn

English, the following

information will appear.

Besides the places

indicated here, there are

more in SL.

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Educational presences in Second Life(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Avatar Languages;

British Council Isle;

Cypris Village – English Learning Community;

Education UK Island;

Edunation;

English Conversation;

English Language School;

English Village;

ESL –Learn English – language Lab;

International Schools Islands;

Second Life English;

TESOL, TOEFL, ESL & EFL (English) Resources! Learn English!

Voice 3D English.

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Educational presences in Second Life(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Other landmarks where specific activities are developed:

Business English Training;

Library of Haiku;

Practice Classroom for Trainee Teachers;

Renaissance Island Jousting Arena;

The British Literature Classroom;

The Cave Literature Alive!

The CHSS Edgar Poe Classroom;

The Shakespeare Island Sim;

The SL Global Theatre;

SLSC Academy of Performing Arts;

TLE Theatre Classroom.

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Educational presences in Second Life(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Other interesting landmarks:

A Christmas Carol ;

Arles – Vicent Van Gogh’s Home;

Classic Art Textures & Paintings;

Classic Paintings Art Gallery Museum;

College of North West London;

Hyde Park London;

Knightsbridge, London SN3 England;

Mayfair London W1 – Mayfair Shopping;

Merry Christmas – Winter Wonderland

The Art gallery,

Vassar Island (Vassar College and home of the Sistine Chapel Re-creation) …

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Some educational tools

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Some educational tools

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Some educational activities

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Some educational activities

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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Some educational activities

Immersive description Conversation practice - socialising

Conclusions

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

SL has some components that facilitate innovation and pedagogical

activities in online education :

extended or rich interaction;

visualization and contextualization;

exposure to authentic content and culture;

individual and collective identity play;

immersion in a 3D environment;

simulation;

community presence and content production.

(Warburton and Perez-Garcia, 2009)

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Conclusions

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Second Life affordances expose learners to language learning, to

meaningful interaction, collaboration, sharing, decision making,

critical thinking, experiential learning in order to develop real life

skills and competencies in the virtual community.

Nevertheless teachers must keep in mind that they need to apply

teaching approches that differ from those applied in face-to-face

contexts. Real life teaching expertise does not guarantee Second

Life positive outcomes.

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References

Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

Chang, V., Gütl, C., Kopeinik, S., & Williams, R. (2009). Evaluation of Collaborative Learning Settings in 3D Virtual Worlds. International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning (IJET), 4 (7). Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://online-journals.org/i-jet/article/view/1112/1163 Constable, C., (2007). A short introduction to Second Life. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaLKFeJLnqI Dudeney Ge (n.d.). Second Life, EduNation, from http://slurl.com/secondlife/EduNation%20II/132/215/22/ and https://www.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=876838 Second Life Avatar (n.d). Retrieved on 12 November, 2009 from http://secondlife.com/whatis/avatar/ Techsan, K., (2009). vTSTC Teaching/Learning Tools. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirOV1ADNn8 Warburton, S. & Perez-Garcia, M., 2008. “Design forLearning in Virtual Worlds: the tension between control and pedagogic approach”. Retrieved June, 20, 2009 from http://www.slideshare.net/stevenw/designfor-learning-in-virtual-worlds-presentation

Note: all the landmarks mentioned in this presentation can be found in SL using the search button for places.

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Angelina Macedo, 2nd International TEFL Conference, 21st November, 2009

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• Thanks for your attention!

• Any questions?