Module 4 Second Life

According to Thornburg (2009), Second Life (SL) was disruptive because it did not allow for a gradual transition into the technological world. It did not evolve from other technologies, but made some obsolete which caused a loss of jobs/livelihoods. One of the ways it will effect me is the virtual classroom could possibly replace the traditional classroom. Second Life participants have the potential to view life as a simple social game and use it in inappropriate ways. Some people, such as my husband, think SL may cause students to identifying too closely with avatars. Just as some people view the older cartoons such as The Roadrunner as too violent, they see the social aspect of the virtual classroom dangerous. I don't see that this problem can't be resolved. It could allow a way to keep students safer by hiding their true identity. The roadrunner was a cartoon. Second Life's avatars are what they are - motivating replicas. Rosedale (2008) stated that SL can help with global communication skills as well as language development and provide a media that allows for students to communicate with different countries throughout the world, allowing for tolerance of other cultures and advocating diversity. I see it as having the potential to help students that have trouble communicating and as a motivational tool in the elementary classroom. It could help the homebound student feel more a part of "real" traditional classroom as well as keep bias formed by the face-to-face daily interactions with people to a minimum. I think SL has about three more years at that time it'll be replaced by the halo deck.

Reference

Rosedale, P. (2008). Second Life [Video], Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/the_inspiration_of_second_life.html

Thornburg, D. (2009). Disruptive technology. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/