"I personally loved doing SL. I think that if I was given the opportunity I would choose it every time. " OAD270 Student.
"I did like SL, and I feel that it is a good way to present to different people and around the world. " OAD Student.
"I loved the flying (once I got used to it), being able to make yourself look the way you want to, and being able to travel to different locations. This can open (and has) so many opportunities to engage yourself in a way that is rewarding for you and the listener." OAD270 Student.
These are quotes from students who delivered their team presentation in SL on May 5, 2009. The team consisted of three students, and they all looked professional, used gestures, responded to questions, and presented their material effectively. Additionally, their topic was conducive to Second Life because it was on virtual assistants. The team created a Notecard for the handout material and posted it on an Information Post at the presentation area on the eOwens Island. The team used voice chat, and the students in the audience used text chat to ask questions.
Keep in mind this was a face-to-face class so the other students logged into Second Life in the classroom while those presenting worked in my office--each on a computer. I recorded their SL presentation using Camtasia Studio and for the first time recording--it's not bad. There are some sound problems and external noises.
I hope to perfect this assignment and consider other ways to incorporate SL into my courses.
Challenges: technical issues with voice chat. Voice chat worked, but we found that if connecting to one of the College's wireless networks, voice chat was blocked. Therefore, we used a Verizon wireless network for one of the student's laptops. Then one student worked on my desktop computer and the other student used her own wireless connection.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Presentations in Second Life
Two students delivered their PowerPoint presentations in Second Life last week using one of our many presentation areas on our island. Students stood behind the podium during the presentation. Then during the question and answer session at the end of the presentations, students stepped off the podium and walked toward the audience. This created a more engaging environment. They were very effective using voice and gestures.
Those students who didn't present in SL did participate, and their avatars teleported to the presentation area on the Owens island. As audience participants, they used text chat to ask questions at the end of the presentations. The student presenters created a more personal environment by using the other avatars' names when they were asked questions at the end.
There are some PowerPoint limitations such as animations and hyperlinks not working. However, the slide viewer is very easy to use, and it has arrows to advance the slides.
For the team project, three students plan to present in SL. My goal is to have them create a notecard for the partipants to pick up at the beginning of the presentation.
Also, I plan to invite others to listen to the presentations. We are going to try and record them using Camtasia.
Those students who didn't present in SL did participate, and their avatars teleported to the presentation area on the Owens island. As audience participants, they used text chat to ask questions at the end of the presentations. The student presenters created a more personal environment by using the other avatars' names when they were asked questions at the end.
There are some PowerPoint limitations such as animations and hyperlinks not working. However, the slide viewer is very easy to use, and it has arrows to advance the slides.
For the team project, three students plan to present in SL. My goal is to have them create a notecard for the partipants to pick up at the beginning of the presentation.
Also, I plan to invite others to listen to the presentations. We are going to try and record them using Camtasia.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Reflections from First Week of Class
I've returned to the classroom after my one-semester sabbatical. Now the challenge is using what I learned.
I introduced Second Life in my Presentation Management class. Unfortunately, we couldn't create accounts the first day. I recall this discussion in the SLED listserve, but I didn't have the foresight to take care of the problem in advance. Most of my students were successful in creating their accounts at home and downloading the Second Life client without a problem. Our problem is now resolved, and we can create accounts from our labs.
Thankfully, this is a small class--started with ten and now have nine students. One student dropped because she doesn't have Internet connectivity at home and said that the Camtasia videos I created gave her a migraine. Also since giving a presentation in Second Life is an extra credit opportunity, I explained that I would give her an alternate extra credit activity which I did. I never thought of the movement causing migraines especially since I don't suffer from migraines. Something to think about.
My other students are enjoying Second Life. I spent time in class showing some basics. They realize it's a challenge,but they appear to enjoy the challenge--especially the traditional students. They viewed the videos and now know "Torley Linden." He creates all the Second Life videos that are at YouTube.
Last evening I created a Group, OCCOAD270, so I can easily share information with my students, and I sent them invitations to join (for free). Four students have already joined the group. I sent them notices with some freebies. Of course, they all want to look "good" and the first area is HAIR. The freebies included hair.
My students will be working on an assignment requiring them to complete ten activities in Second Life. Additionally, they are required to attend presentations in Second Life and evaluate the experience. I posted some YouTube video links in the Blackboard website under the Lectures button. These videos address some of the skills they will need to complete the assignment. For example, they have to take a snapshot so I made sure to post a video link for that skill.
I think some students will want to use Second Life for one of their presentations. They realize that this will require additional time with me outside of class. Since our lab is free for an hour after class, we can continue to work.
Fortunately with my Perkins grant, I can give my students Linden dollars so they can upload snapshots, their PowerPoint presentation, and/or buy some items.
So--I'm glad to be back in the classroom and pleased with my students' reactions to Second Life thusfar.
I introduced Second Life in my Presentation Management class. Unfortunately, we couldn't create accounts the first day. I recall this discussion in the SLED listserve, but I didn't have the foresight to take care of the problem in advance. Most of my students were successful in creating their accounts at home and downloading the Second Life client without a problem. Our problem is now resolved, and we can create accounts from our labs.
Thankfully, this is a small class--started with ten and now have nine students. One student dropped because she doesn't have Internet connectivity at home and said that the Camtasia videos I created gave her a migraine. Also since giving a presentation in Second Life is an extra credit opportunity, I explained that I would give her an alternate extra credit activity which I did. I never thought of the movement causing migraines especially since I don't suffer from migraines. Something to think about.
My other students are enjoying Second Life. I spent time in class showing some basics. They realize it's a challenge,but they appear to enjoy the challenge--especially the traditional students. They viewed the videos and now know "Torley Linden." He creates all the Second Life videos that are at YouTube.
Last evening I created a Group, OCCOAD270, so I can easily share information with my students, and I sent them invitations to join (for free). Four students have already joined the group. I sent them notices with some freebies. Of course, they all want to look "good" and the first area is HAIR. The freebies included hair.
My students will be working on an assignment requiring them to complete ten activities in Second Life. Additionally, they are required to attend presentations in Second Life and evaluate the experience. I posted some YouTube video links in the Blackboard website under the Lectures button. These videos address some of the skills they will need to complete the assignment. For example, they have to take a snapshot so I made sure to post a video link for that skill.
I think some students will want to use Second Life for one of their presentations. They realize that this will require additional time with me outside of class. Since our lab is free for an hour after class, we can continue to work.
Fortunately with my Perkins grant, I can give my students Linden dollars so they can upload snapshots, their PowerPoint presentation, and/or buy some items.
So--I'm glad to be back in the classroom and pleased with my students' reactions to Second Life thusfar.
Monday, December 15, 2008
December 8 Week's Blog
This week I completed the following activities:
Viewed Camtasia Tutorial Videos.
Created three Camtasia SL videos on the following topics: camera and movement controls, inventory in SL, finding a presentation or workshop in SL.
Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest(Research).
Worked on my Evaluation of Success and will post this soon.
Reviewed the SL survey results.
Read SL articles and webpages.
Worked on SL handouts for OAD270 class.
Getting ready for the holidays now.
Viewed Camtasia Tutorial Videos.
Created three Camtasia SL videos on the following topics: camera and movement controls, inventory in SL, finding a presentation or workshop in SL.
Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest(Research).
Worked on my Evaluation of Success and will post this soon.
Reviewed the SL survey results.
Read SL articles and webpages.
Worked on SL handouts for OAD270 class.
Getting ready for the holidays now.
Friday, December 5, 2008
December 1 Week's Blog
This has been an interesting week with the opening of the Owens Island in Second Life. The island is really well-constructed, and I have a new office located on the island. Here are this week's activities:
Read and reviewed articles and my collected webpages on Second Life. As a result, I've been updating my pkwiki.
Participated in the Open House on Thursday (10-5) and Friday (noon-4:30). Friday was busier than Thursday. We had visitors from OSU, UC, Montana State, along with other Owens faculty and staff who have created avatars. A few of our ITS staff visited since they will be supporting SL. I now know of one important area that the Help Desk needs to assist students with: voice chat. That is if faculty choose to use voice chat instead of text chat. This is one feature that I believe students will have the most problems.
I have decided that SL will enhance my Presentation Management course so I've decided to incorporate Second Life in this course. In OAD270 students learn presentation delivery skills and PowerPoint. Students can evaluate the differences between presenting in Second Life and Real Life by participating in the many free educational presentations. Students will also have the option of using Second Life to deliver one of their presentations. As a result the students too will upgrade their technology skills by learning how PowerPoint works in Second Life.
Additionally, I still believe Second Life has value as a recruitment tool. I have been working with an Office Administration (OAD) graduate creating a podcast of the student experience in the OAD program and would like to have it posted on the Island. If my OAD260, Administrative Office Management course, runs (there are low numbers), I know I can use SL in this course also.
This week I plan to meet with the IR office to review my survey results and how best I can report the results.
Next week's blog will address the items under EVALUATION OF SUCCESS.
Read and reviewed articles and my collected webpages on Second Life. As a result, I've been updating my pkwiki.
Participated in the Open House on Thursday (10-5) and Friday (noon-4:30). Friday was busier than Thursday. We had visitors from OSU, UC, Montana State, along with other Owens faculty and staff who have created avatars. A few of our ITS staff visited since they will be supporting SL. I now know of one important area that the Help Desk needs to assist students with: voice chat. That is if faculty choose to use voice chat instead of text chat. This is one feature that I believe students will have the most problems.
I have decided that SL will enhance my Presentation Management course so I've decided to incorporate Second Life in this course. In OAD270 students learn presentation delivery skills and PowerPoint. Students can evaluate the differences between presenting in Second Life and Real Life by participating in the many free educational presentations. Students will also have the option of using Second Life to deliver one of their presentations. As a result the students too will upgrade their technology skills by learning how PowerPoint works in Second Life.
Additionally, I still believe Second Life has value as a recruitment tool. I have been working with an Office Administration (OAD) graduate creating a podcast of the student experience in the OAD program and would like to have it posted on the Island. If my OAD260, Administrative Office Management course, runs (there are low numbers), I know I can use SL in this course also.
This week I plan to meet with the IR office to review my survey results and how best I can report the results.
Next week's blog will address the items under EVALUATION OF SUCCESS.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
November 24 Week's Blog
I took some time off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but I did accomplish the following in SL:
Attended class in SL: Groups and Group Management, held at Insight Virtual College. SL allows an avatar to be a member of up to 25 groups. You can tell a lot about someone by checking the types of groups they are involved in. I'll be creating a group for my classes then I can share slurls with them and communicate other information to them. In this class we learned to create a group, assign roles with the group, set permissions for group roles, and set parameters for roles that will enable you to manage your business and land.
Completed my OCC Office. I continued to work on my office such as creating prims and adding textures to complete my wall hangings and photo frame. It's now decorated for the holidays, and I'm ready for this week's Open House.
Created Notecards for OCC. I created the following notecards and dropped them in Zaia's inventory: Griefers and Your Profile. I also shared some other information with Zaia that she may use for the Open House.
Watched Videos: I watched several videos which helped me with building and working with textures.
Watched Zaia and Biker's podcast that they created for Drexel University. They did a great job sharing Second Life's capabilities for education.
Continued to read the Educator's Digest and the Slrl Digest. As a result of reading these, I often update my PBwiki with information that I've learned.
Camtasia Video Tutorials. I watched almost all of the Camtasia video tutorials so I plan to create a short presentation using Camtasia. I've used Camtasia in the past, but the new version has additional options.
Continued reading materials and reviewing the websites that I've tagged as Second life in Delicious.
My sabbatical is coming to an end. This is the official last week of classes for fall semester.
Attended class in SL: Groups and Group Management, held at Insight Virtual College. SL allows an avatar to be a member of up to 25 groups. You can tell a lot about someone by checking the types of groups they are involved in. I'll be creating a group for my classes then I can share slurls with them and communicate other information to them. In this class we learned to create a group, assign roles with the group, set permissions for group roles, and set parameters for roles that will enable you to manage your business and land.
Completed my OCC Office. I continued to work on my office such as creating prims and adding textures to complete my wall hangings and photo frame. It's now decorated for the holidays, and I'm ready for this week's Open House.
Created Notecards for OCC. I created the following notecards and dropped them in Zaia's inventory: Griefers and Your Profile. I also shared some other information with Zaia that she may use for the Open House.
Watched Videos: I watched several videos which helped me with building and working with textures.
Watched Zaia and Biker's podcast that they created for Drexel University. They did a great job sharing Second Life's capabilities for education.
Continued to read the Educator's Digest and the Slrl Digest. As a result of reading these, I often update my PBwiki with information that I've learned.
Camtasia Video Tutorials. I watched almost all of the Camtasia video tutorials so I plan to create a short presentation using Camtasia. I've used Camtasia in the past, but the new version has additional options.
Continued reading materials and reviewing the websites that I've tagged as Second life in Delicious.
My sabbatical is coming to an end. This is the official last week of classes for fall semester.
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