First up is this article, titled "Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning." The author in this article lists all the advantages and disadvantages of the online learning process. These pros and cons are just the first step in showing how online learning still needs to be refined so the students that are doing online classes get the most out of their educational experience. I am mainly focusing on how to improve the disadvantages listed here by utilizing Second Life as a new online media for hosting courses or to integrate Second Life into existing online courses to enhance the overall online experience for students.
In this article, the author talks and interviews a few teachers who are using Second Life as a platform to be more creative in their learning. The author then shows that many teachers still see Second Life as just a game and not a useful tool to enhance their classroom environment and most colleges still do not know how to use the technology nor are willing to truly understand it. There are also a few interviews with some of the teachers using Second Life and show how they have adapted it to their curriculum though they still have not fully embraced the full capabilities as of yet.
The author of this article focuses on which schools are starting to take off in Second Life and gives descriptions of some of the work that is done in them. The author also points out that though there are few schools actively using this virtual world, most other schools in there are completely empty, most likely abandoned due to lack of interest. The article shows that there can be success in using Second Life as long as it is used properly and those who seek to use it do not overreach in what they want to do.
The author in this article talks about how education is thriving in Second Life though there still needs to be more of a push to be able to fully make use of this technology. The author explains that with the technology inherent in Second Life, a shift needs to be made away from message boards and older, outdated teaching and into the newer technology to better push students and motivate them as virtual worlds are starting to be a place where business can and will happen not to far in the future. I find this article to be the main basis of what my Action Research project revolves around as we are still using antiquated technology, which does not stimulate nor motivates the student anymore.
These four websites are just the start of many sites I have found that I will be using for my Action Research project.
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