Modern students have a wide range of new technology and devices to contend with. From smartphones like the Blackberry, to digital gadgets like the iPad tablet, students are able to access information anywhere and at any time. Some believe this opens up possibilities for online education.
Through online college and university programs, students working toward degrees or certifications access their coursework through the Internet. They can generally participate in studies when they set aside time for them. Some are exploring new methods of online learning as well.
Second Life is one of them. Through this web site, students use "avatars" to represent themselves in a 3-dimensional virtual reality setting. Their avatars, each with distinct appearances, are able to walk, fly and teleport themselves to different locations. Several colleges and universities have Second Life campuses, and an article in the DailyCollegian.com suggested the site might become the next virtual classroom.
It's been called the "classroom of the future," according to what a 2006 CNN report suggested and one where Science Daily in 2007 cited that attending class was "otherworldly." Second Life's education community was growing as early as then, according to a 2007 New York Times article. The site at that time had more than 1,000 education listserv subscribers; library groups were running public islands, and universities opened their islands to others for sharing ideas. On Second Life, students were able to participate in chat discussions and devise multimedia presentations, The Times article noted.
Second Life was unveiled in 2003 as a social network, according to the DailyCollegian.com. Students in childcare, teaching or even psychology programs might benefit from structured scenarios through this online platform, the online publication noted. Inside Second Life, students can interact with other virtual characters. A computer science and engineering professor from a Florida university told Science Daily that he liked Second Life's potential for collaboration, immersion, aesthetics, creativity and social interaction. This instructor used the program for a tour and discussion of digital objects, the Science Daily article noted.
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology is a professional association of educators that works to improve instruction through technology, and this group also has a Second Life presence. The site does apparently have drawbacks, however. According to what an Ivy league student told CNN, avatars flying above students trying to focus on a class discussion can be distracting.
Student who hope to enroll in online degree programs have additional ways to interact with peers and professors. For instance, the internet-based chat site Skype can prove useful in one's learning. Individuals with a webcam and an internet connection can sign into the free service and chat with people thousands of miles away. Those collaborating on a project for their bachelors degree, or looking for extra research assistance can connect through this tool and can feel like the other person is also in the room.
Facebook and MySpace also provide opportunities for students to collaborate on different projects. Those who are studying from the same textbook might chat or establish groups or forums on one of these social networking sites. Through the forums, they would be able to post information, thoughts and ideas.
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