We are always looking for ways to improve and
expand the teaching of Professional Development. Recently we found an article on zite that does just that by introducing the use of the
website Second Life.
Second
Life is an online, virtual world where players can create a representation of
themselves called an avatar. The site
allows you to live through this alternate version of you, earning money (called
L$ in the game), buying virtual products, socializing with others, exploring
the world and more.
Since
its creation in 2003 many educational institutions have built buildings in the
virtual world and used it as a learning tool for students. Project DIRECT did this to create a place for
teachers to meet and converse. According
to the article “The mission of Project DIRECT (Distance Innovations for Rural Educators
using Communication Technologies) is to support rural schoolteachers with the
integration of technology into their content areas of reading, writing and
studying, and to be in a safe community full of teacher collegiality.” The program is conducted almost entirely on
Second Life.
Because the project was created for rural teachers, the
participants are not centrally located which makes an online program
ideal. The avatars explore the campus
Project DIRECT has lain out where there are instructions on how to use
different features on the site and therefore expanding familiarity with technology. Once teachers get the feel of navigating the simulated
world, they can go on learning safaris. Each
safari teaches a new aspect of Professional Development. It also creates a space for teachers to meet
each other and share ideas or questions.
Project DIRECT was just one application of how Second
Life can be used for Professional Development but the possibilities are endless.
If you would like to read the article for yourselves or
watch the video that accompanies it, you can find it here.
