Second Life

Second life description

• Online virtual world.
• A number of free client programs.
• Residents interact through avatars.
• Intended for ages 16+, except for school use.

second life history

• 1999 - Philip Rosedale formed Linden Lab.
• 2005-2006 - Gained media attention including cover story in Business Week.
• 2008 - peak use, SL honored at 59th Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy.
• 2010 - Announced layoffs of 30% of workforce. 
• 2013 - SL active user base estimated at 600,000.

second life advantages

• It's free!!
• Visualization.
• Social interaction through collaboration.
• "Green" environment.
• Learning opportunities, connectivity, engagement.

second life disadvantages

• Learning Curve.
• Time.
• Technical problems can slow responses.
• High speed connections and good graphics needed.
• Role playing can lead to delusional behavior.

second life educational benefits

• Visit other countries without leaving classroom.
• Learn about other cultures.
• Develop your "people skills."
• Engage new forms of communication with others.
• Connect with other online communities.

second life educational benefits

• Collaboration/interaction.
• Self-paced learning to suit learning styles.
• Opportunities to create and share content with others.
• Integrate within blended learning system.
• Discover and develop new ways of solving problems.

second life educational application

• Interact and move around in a virtual world.
• Provides for training and delivering lectures.
• Teach new skills.
• Work together on projects.
• Students embrace the game environment.