Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Snapshots


This is a snapshot of our gang taking a look at the beautiful ocean. We seen a couple of whales!

How can virtual worlds like Second Life enhance the teaching and learning experiences for students?What are the implications for the arts and society?

I believe that Virtual worlds like Second Life can enhance the teaching and learning experiences for students. I believe that students are looking for a "different" and more "exciting" way to be taught. I know for me, if I'am interested in something I have a better chance of listening more critically and actually careing about what I'am listening about. Students need a more exciting way to be taught, and I think these virtual worlds, when giving the chance, can be the new exciting way!
What are the implications for the arts and society? I believe that this site itself has its own unique kind of art. At first It can come of as sort of strange, but then it grows on you. Artists are people who express themselves through their art. And with the SecondLife, people can now be a different kind of artist, by making an avatar and creating their own kind of exciting art! Also I believe that this SecondLife will change society, people really need some humbling in life, and this virtual world could deffinitely be it! Maybe as more and more people decide to take a journey into their own second life, we will see a deffinite chance in society!

Second Life as an Educational Tool

Second Life has the potential to be useful in aiding students who take online courses. Teachers and students can meet "face to face" in these types of virtual settings which can mimic the feeling of meeting in a classroom. Students can also learn by interacting with different students from their school or from schools across the world with whom they otherwise would never have contact.
Virtual worlds like Second Life make meeting more enjoyable. To some, meeting in a chat room is just plain boring, and often the student logs in and then does other work instead of participating. By chatting in a virtual world, the student may feel as if they are actually present and that others will know if they are not engaged in the meeting.
I think that virtual worlds will be used more often in the future as an educational tool. Society has adapted and even sometimes gravitates towards distance learning. This being the case, I think that educators will look for more alternatives to classroom meetings. If this happens, the virtual worlds may add virtual classrooms to their worlds. Maybe we will read more about this in the Meatheads future blog posts.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

So Random


Virtual Society Real Society

There are many differences between a virtual society and a real society. Some of which including: freedom, abilities, and choice. In a virtual society, you have the freedom to do whatever it is that you desire. Whether that be travel the world or settle down and build a mansion, virtual life can always make this possible. There are no strings holding you back from accomplishing your goal. Your abilities as an avatar are unlimited. Not only can you fly in second life, but you don't get tired, hungry, or old. Finally, choice. In a virtual world, you are free to choose any option available to you. This may include where to live, whether or not to have children, or what your body shape is.

How was your group meeting in world different, better or worse than the meeting in Blackboard Vista's chat groups that your instructors set up for thi

The meeting in world was much cooler than meeting in a chat room. When you can see the people you are talking to it is much more fun. Our group had a blast meeting in second life and seeing eachothers personality types, by the avatar's appearance.

Snapshots


This is us at Beach Paradise. We were relaxing on a pair of hammocks.

Snapshots

This is me sitting on a giraffe in Africa. My group was exploring the land.

snapshot


This is our group in California sitting on a car that was for sale.

This is us in England standing next to a cupcake

Snapshots

Our group traveled to Maui, Hawaii.