virtual worlds
DESCRIPTION
Second Life vs Google EarthTRANSCRIPT
Using Google
Earth and
Second Life
for education
Virtual Worlds: Second Life and Google
Earth
Rome, London, California…even the Moon. Locations that are physically
impossible to travel to from a classroom in New Jersey are no longer
inaccessible to students thanks to technology and the Internet. In the
past, students were only able to see pictures or videos of places that
they have never been. Now, however, through advancements in
technology, vast interactive worlds have been developed through which
teachers and students can explore all over the world – and beyond. In a
matter of minutes, students can go from examining a 3D scale layout of
Big Ben and the Parliament in London, to exploring craters on the moon.
Two different services that both offer the virtual world experience are
Google Earth and Second Life. While these are not the only options
available, they are two of the larger, more developed, and more popular
programs currently available – and while they are both free, the
programs are vastly different in their approach and resources.
Additionally, both programs have some areas where they either excel or
are lacking. This is to be expected, however, since technology is ever
evolving and rarely perfect. The goal then, as an educator, is to locate
and utilize the best tool for the job. There will never be one perfect one
size fits all solution.
This booklet will take you through both Second Life and Google Earth,
discussing the pros and cons of each site, and looking at 20 different
examples/reviews of places you can visit in either program. These
reviews will provide a beginning foundation of how you, as an educator,
might use either of these programs in your classroom.
Second Life is a true “virtual world” that is accessed online. Similar to a 3D
game, users take control of an avatar (or digital character representing
themselves which they create) and explore generated and created content.
Users travel to various islands which are owned by corporations, schools, or
even individuals to experience a wide range of different content and activities.
The game is more than just scenery; there are interactive scavenger hunts,
guided tours, games, interactions, and a lot of other content. Users can truly
become immersed in the world as they wander and explore the various islands.
Another aspect of Second Life is the interaction among other users – the game
is in a category that is referred to as “Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing
Game”, or MMORPG, where users can talk to each other, travel with each
other, and explore the virtual world together. This is a benefit for those who
interact with people they know, but can provide for unsuitable experiences
when interacting with strangers.
Below are some pros and cons of Second Life:
Pros
Immersive environment
Ability to visit some real places recreated in Second Life
Ability to visit locations inaccessible in the real world
Chat feature – ability to hold an online interactive class
Cons
Open world. There is a LOT of inappropriate content for minors
that is easily accessible
Not all ‘real world’ locations are replicated – sometimes hard to
find what you are looking for
Chat feature – random strangers can interact with your students
Runs choppy on older computers
Google Earth, while not technically a fully interactive online virtual world (there
is no avatar, no direct online interaction with other users, no chat feature),
rivals the worlds created in Second Life in many areas.
Where Google Earth excels, is that many cities have been authentically
recreated in scale 3D models. A user simply has to type an address in to be
taken to another part of the world where they can zoom in and out, explore
satellite images, explore user uploaded photos, get directions, and more.
Google Earth can be very appealing for a classroom setting because of its
safety. Whereas Second Life has a lot of interaction between members, there
is no filtering content, and there is inappropriate content, Google Earth is
essentially an interactive 3D map that can be explored safely and efficiently.
One additional user generated feature that Google Earth has, however, are
user uploaded photos of specific areas that people have visited. This adds a
very unique and personal touch to the otherwise very technical maps.
Pros
Safe – no inappropriate content
Easy to navigate
3D models of most large cities, satellite photos of all other areas
Ability to ‘travel’ via directions
User uploaded photos
Cons
No chat feature
Not as interactive
No ‘fantasy’ locations
Can freeze from time to time on older machines
International Space Flight Museum
Link
The International Space Flight Museum is pretty interesting in a few different
aspects. I enjoyed
being able to fly
around the area and
get a close look at
the different
rockets from
various countries
and time periods.
There were also
tours that
visitors could
take through the museum. Because of the interactive features, this location is
definitely worth a second visit, and is also something interesting for students to
visit as well.
Kennedy Space Center
While not an exact comparison to the International Space Flight Museum found
in Second Life (since that is a unique location to only Second Life), visiting the
Kennedy Space Center in
Google Earth does have
some unique benefits.
Students curious about
the former space
program could visit the
Kennedy Space Center
and examine the area,
photos, and the shuttle
launch zones. What may
be eye opening for some
of them is the distance the shuttles used to have to take to get from the space
center to the launch pads. While perhaps not as exciting as some of the
information at Second Life's International Space Flight Museum, the Kennedy
Space Center makes for an intriguing first hand 'real' experience.
ARCHI21
Link
ARCHI21 was an interesting
area, and definitely one worth
checking out more than once.
The island was set up with
various architectural 'marvels',
some of which are physically
impossible, improbable, or
impractical - but all of which
together in one location makes
them extremely invaluable.
This would be a useful island for
not only architectural students,
but art students as well - or even just
those who are just curious about buildings and shapes.
Sydney Opera House
Google Earth has its own
share of archetectural
masterpieces - take, for
example, the Sydney
Opera House. Like many
of the Google Earth sites,
the opera house is easier
to locate than many sites
in Second Life. One simply
has to type in the location
and they are brought to it,
as opposed to having to
take the time to search for an appropriate area. Like other Google Earth
locations, a visitor cannot enter the location, however, users can get a good
feel for the area based on pictures provided by other users.
Virtual London
Link
Virtual London was somewhat of a disappointment. The area was fairly small,
and only some of the more prominent landmarks (such as Big Ben, but not
Parliament) were present. The little bit of content that was there was
developed well, however, it was not entirely accurate. I do not think it would
be necessary to visit the
area again, especially
when there are other,
more accurate tools
that can be used to get
a virtual view of the
surrounding area.
London
Visiting London in Google Earth was a much more complete and valuable
experience than visiting it in Second Life. While the visitor cannot go inside any
of the buildings (like you can in Second Life), there is not much of a need. The
city is complete and an individual can spend a lot of time exploring the streets
of London, which would be
useful in many different
situations. Perhaps a
history teacher wants to
show the students the
Parliament buildings that
Guy Faux attempted to
destroy – he or she would
be able to virtually visit
the area quickly and
easily.
Globe Theater
Link
Another area in London, though
located on a different island in
Second Life, is Shakespeare’s
globe. Rather than just a visual
replication of the globe, however,
this theater actually has a
schedule of events in which other
members of the community
recreate Shakespeare’s plays.
Unfortunately, viewing these plays
require “Linden Dollars”.
Individuals can enter the globe and look around
while there is not a play being performed, and the accuracy of the scale
is pretty good. In general, though, the resource would be most useful to
individuals who had access to “Linden Dollars”.
Globe Theater
The Globe Theater displayed in
Google Earth is fairly different
than the Globe theater visited
in Second Life. Google Earth
would be a useful tool to show
students where the Globe is
located in modern day
England. Unfortunately,
there is no internal view of
the globe, but the exterior
is composed fairly well.
The benefit of Google
Earth over Second Life
would be the ease of use and the
additional pictures available for users to click.
Additionally, the area is "safer" than Second Life, since one does not have to
worry about any inappropriate actions or content.
Planetarium
Link
Interactive areas like this planetarium are where Second Life shines. While the
real life recreations in Second
Life are limited in their use,
accessing areas that cannot
otherwise be visited gives an
individual a chance to view
something truly unique. This
particular planetarium has
models of the planets and
moons, and links to outside
information related to them.
This location would be a
valuable resource for all types
of individuals looking to learn
more about the planets.
Moon
While Google Earth may not have content
on as many different planets as some of the
Second Life planetariums, there is a decent
amount of places an individual can visit on
both the moon and Mars. After visiting
both, I would have to say that while Google
Earth may lack the quantity of content, it
more than makes up with quality. Complete
with panoramas, markers, and notations
from the various moon landings, Google
Earth offers a wealth of information that is
worth checking out. Additionally, the moon through Google Earth could be
easily viewed by all age ranges without fear of inappropriate content.
IBM Learning Commons
Link
The IBM Learning Commons is an
example of what can truly be
created in Second Life with the
appropriate time and financial
commitment. The Learning
Commons has full-fledged lecture
halls, amphitheaters, presentations,
business expos, and information -
greater than any of the university
pages that were visited.
Unfortunately at the time of visit,
nothing was happening at the commons. This seems
to be somewhat par for the course with a lot of the areas on Second Life
currently. I think that this would be an area worth visiting again, if there was
something happening. As it stands now, however, there is not much to do
other than look at the well-designed architecture.
Lake Mohawk, NJ
While Second Life contains areas
that are either not accessible to
visitors (or places that do not exist
in real life), Google Earth contains
areas that exist in real life but do
not exist in Second Life. This
particular location is that of my
house. While not important to
anyone other than myself, it
makes a valuable point. A
visitor can visit ANY area on Earth through Google
Earth. While not all locations contain 3D models, they are all at least
accessible via a satellite view.
Ohio State University Reproductive Organs Tour
Link
Ohio State University put together an
interesting and informative island
covering a microscopic level of both
male and female reproductive organs.
The tour, as shown in the picture,
guides you through the reproductive
organs, and visually displays and
describes the processes. Visitors need
not move, the tour itself is completely
automated. This island is one of the aspects of
Second Life that makes it really stand out - through this island an individual is
able to witness, virtually first hand, something that cannot otherwise be
experienced. The university's site would be a great resource for students or
educators in a sex education course.
Blarney Castle – Scale Replica
Link
The Blarney Castle is a full scale replica that
was constructed by a user on one of their
private islands. While not part of a "virtual
Ireland", the Blarney Castle is an
interesting visit. For me particularly, I
never knew that the castle was so small -
so in that, it was perhaps a worthwhile
visit. Individuals can go into the castle itself,
which includes an interactive Blarney Stone. I do
not know, however, if there would be any need for me to visit the location a
second time.
UC Davis Virtual Hallucinations
Link
UC Davis put together an interactive
room on their island to try to shed light
onto mental illnesses with hallucinations.
Before attempting the interaction, you
are given a warning that some individuals
find the content disturbing - afterwards,
you download a file and walk through a
house. During this time, certain things
move that shouldn’t, notations describe
certain hallucinations, and an audio track repeats and whispers that you are
worthless, nothing, and you should kill yourself. It is extremely creepy and
disturbing, but also eye opening. While I would not recommend it for
everyone, this is definitely an interesting and informative visit for those that
could handle it. It is important to note, however, that if you do not remove the
badge required for the interaction, the audio hallucinations will continue even
after you leave the island.
Genome Island
Link
I will be honest by starting this review by
stating I have little to no knowledge
about genomes. That aside, this island in
Second Life was pretty unique. Again,
this was one of the areas that stood out
on the site because it displayed
something that Google Earth could not:
interactivity and the physical display of
something that an individual would not be
able to visualize in real life. Particularly, the pictured genome was a molecule
displayed of Lysozyme. Visitors could click on buttons to change the status of
the molecule to "Charged", and see how the molecule changed. This would be
worth visiting for students learning about molecules and genomes.
Eiffel Tower, France
One of my biggest complaints and
concerns about visiting the Eiffel Tower in
Second Life was the inappropriate content
that was visible almost immediately
entering the area. Granted, the content
was there as a list of rules that were not
allowed in the area, it still was written in
a way that would prohibit a class from
entering. Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Google Earth, on the other hand, is
completely different. While a visitor might not be able to climb a flight of
stairs, they are still able to get a sense of the scale of the tower - which is
recreated fairly accurately. Teachers would be able to use this location without
worry, which is something that cannot be said about Second Life.
Epcot; Disney World
While some locations in Google Earth are not that accurate (or rather not that
detailed), it is amazing the extent to which others are detailed. The attached
picture is for the Epcot theme part in Disney World - specifically the World
Showcase. What could be useful about using this particular location in a
classroom is that while the buildings and structures are replicas of actual
foreign architecture, they are created with fairly strong accuracy. Therefore, a
teacher could access this site in his or
her classroom, and quickly scroll
through various "countries" showing
his or her students different types of
architecture from multiple countries
in an extremely time effective
manner.
Assisi, Italy
Assisi in Google Earth is like London in
Second Life - disappointing. Assisi was
one of the most beautiful and unique
places I have visited in my life; the tight
winding roads, the hills, the medieval
buildings. Google Earth does not capture
any of these things since none of the
buildings are actually 3D (though you do get a slight feel for the hills). This is a
prime example that while Google Earth does have some amazing features, not
everything that you find on it will be worthwhile. Even still, with the
disappointing 3D models, you still have the opportunity to view people's
photos of Assisi, so it is not completely worthless.
Interlaken, Switzerland
Even though Interlaken does not have 3D models of the buildings, the scale of
the neighboring mountains (one of the most stunning views from the city itself)
are still worthwhile. If cropped correctly, the image from Google Earth could
easily be mistaken for a tourist photo. An interesting use for this location
would be to compare the image of the mountain with images of other
mountains in other countries - useful for a geography class.