Avatars go to college
Several colleges and universities are exploring a new method for online learning by setting up classrooms in Second Life. Ball State University went so far as to buy Second Life land to build a virtual campus, including dorms. The avatars, virtual representations of the lecturer and students, then appear to be present together in the same virtual location.
Read the article: Real Learning in a Virtual World (The Christian Science Monitor).
(Via The Chronicle)
Having the avatars meet, Ms. Nesson says, "really changes the way the classroom conversation proceeds because you have a sense of all of these people being there participating in one way or another.... It somehow gives people a sense of community that they're not by themselves doing this."
Read the article: Real Learning in a Virtual World (The Christian Science Monitor).
(Via The Chronicle)