I have taken the plunge and decided that I need to be more open to embracing technology, especially in trying to find innovative uses for it in Language Arts. I am technophobic by nature since I am old! :) So, I've been experimenting with Second Life. I was introduced to Second Life during a summer course at WSU. The focus in that course was to explore the Teen Grid, which is the "teen friendly and safe" Second Life version. In the mean time, I have created an avatar, and then started exploring Bay City. This place seems to be one of the first worlds new avatars are placed in.
In this new 21st Century Literacy course, I have spent more time trying to use my new avatar "Kimlim Rewell." The last week I have explored more of Bay City and have observed other avatars. In my summer course, I never talked to other avatars. I just walked and flew around. Two nights ago, I was exploring Bay City, and there were many avatars chatting. There was a good deal of sexual conversation among other avatars. I even had one avatar approach me, look me up and down, and even around on my back side. It was rude, I thought. He said "Hello" then I logged out.
Last night, I went to my home world (Bay City). Once I was in, most of all the avatars in the common area were naked. Actually, they were all skin colored and the lumps and bumps were visible. I decided at the point to be more proactive in finding a specific group or world to be in. I found Education in Virtual Reality and a UK Education world.
I know there are many uses for Second Life that the Corporate and Education world can use, but I've found it's also a place where Internet sex and vulgarity can live. Is there any one out there that has found some solid Second Life worlds in Education that also have interactive training sessions for teachers?
I had a similar experience and it was just a little too wierd for me. I was trying to find an ESL site in Thailand but ended up being sent to Korea, perhaps not by choice. I initially was outside an ESL building where there was a large group of avatars chatting. I strolled, a mean stumbled up and just observed what was going on. A couple of avatars were live chatting and it was nothing but obscenities and sexual talk. It was apparent that these two were nothing more than idiots but to talk dirty to an avatar is just strange. Of course, it's probable that these two knew each other and this is what they do for fun. I managed to find my way inside the building and walked up to the only avatar I could spot and just stood there. I mean, what to you say to an avatar? I said "hello" and she said "hello" as well. Apparently she was a Korean ESL student so I told her that I was completing my MA in TESOL. She did not know what TESOL meant so I told her I wanted to teach English. She said wait a minute and I moved on down the road. I suppose I stood her up but what could I do??
ReplyDelete