The abstract of her paper:
There really are good places in SL to send students to, where they can learn and understand about the subjects they are working on in their courses, within a real life practical situation. It is not wise to see SL as a flat, internet based, page. It provides interaction with it's own set of rules and social skills that must be learnt. Already accepted as being the forerunner to the next generation of the internet, companies are embracing this as a place to educate their own staff. For education, sims with cultural and historical significance are there to provide students with an insight into that culture, as well as for them to look at their own surroundings more acutely. How many of us look at real buildings and take in their splendour or appreciate why they were built? Now students often say 'I can do that, or I know someone who can do that, building in 6 prims'.
Non-educational sims of this style are built with appreciation of the real life environment. Ease of use is important with the internet - so making people feel 'at home' is prime. To do this, it means attention to detail, both of the history and relevance of the region and to the actual construction of the virtual buildings themselves. Art appreciation and historical knowledge are important in building in Second Life, as is a passion for reproducing and creating a virtual world that people feel comfortable in to work, socialise and play. From a good foundation, such as well reproduced historical buildings, comes an opportunity to learn about commerce too.
These regions do not come free, they require considerable set up costs and maintenance as well as the dreaded tier costs. This requires a team of skilled labour, many with transferrable outside skills, such as selling and marketing, graphic design and journalism. These skills cover a plethora of abilities and students have an opportunity, at present, to learn and practice skills in this mocrocomplex, they may then take out into the macro world and use confidently.
The London Virtual Commerce project provides internship opportunities for students in a vast range of transferrable disciplines, with knowledgable mentors and guides. This long list include sales and marketing, journalism and creative writing, finance & management, graphic design with historic and current research, as well animation, script design and web building skills; most importantly, an opportunity to work as part of a team and develop social skills.
Other ways to use non-educational sims is via treasure hunts and as research material. The interactivity of the medium means that as people forget less when more of their brain is engaged, engaged, more information should be retained here, than using more traditional teaching tools. Second Life interviews are also an excellent source of material. I myself have been interviewed twice, once on campus, because I just happened to be there, the other by a Psychology Student for their dissertation.
Summary: SL has good, safe, non-educational Sims that work for education. These sims offer support for educational establishments, providing transferrable skills students can use elsewhere. The London Group of sims are part of that network. Attention to detail and accuracy is paramount within the London Virtual Commerce team. Good foundations and research ensure stability for progress. Historical accuracy is imporant, as out of the past comes the future and to ensure stable commerce we need an attractive location too. As well organised regions, it is easy for learning to take place within a well educated and comitted team. Internships are obviously welcomed by the group. Therefore I hope to show that non-educational sims do work for education and collaboration with sim owners is to be encouraged. The most perfect shape in nature is a sphere so Best Practice in Education is also perfect when well rounded.
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