lets try a fresh start

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Does Second Life provide an environment in which EFL can be taught and learned? Slightly edited version for Slideshare of: Presentation made at IATEFL BESIG 2007, 16-18 November, Technische Fachhoschule, Berlin [ 1 of 3] Dennis Newson, formerly University of Osnabrueck, Germany

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Does Second Life provide an environment in which EFL can be taught and learned?

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Page 1: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Does Second Life provide an environment in which EFL can be taught and learned?

Slightly edited version for Slideshare of:

Presentation made at IATEFL BESIG 2007, 16-18 November, Technische Fachhoschule, Berlin

[ 1 of 3]

Dennis Newson, formerly University of Osnabrueck, Germany

Page 2: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Do you know what Second Life is?

• Isn‘t that where the German police found a lot of child pornography?

• Do you know what I think? People who spend a lot of time on the Internet are socially inadequate in real life.

• My first life is complicated enough, I can‘t handle a second one.

• I visited SL and I could see how I might get addicted, so I‘ve not been back.

Page 3: Lets Try A Fresh Start
Page 4: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Does Does Second LifeSecond Life provide a suitable provide a suitable environment for environment for

learning and teaching learning and teaching TEFL?TEFL?

Does Does Second LifeSecond Life provide a suitable provide a suitable environment for environment for

learning and teaching learning and teaching TEFL?TEFL?

Do you know what Do you know what Second LifeSecond Life is?is?

Page 5: Lets Try A Fresh Start
Page 6: Lets Try A Fresh Start

How real is SL? An actual, unrehearsed conversation

Connecting to in-world Voice Chat...ConnectedFront Door whispers: Osnacantab Nesterov is at the door *Front Door whispers: Jean Wingtips is at the doorBasic Chair: Right click me and choose 'Sit Here' to sit downJean Wingtips: helloJean Wingtips: Osnacantab?Jean Wingtips: Do you own this place?Jean Wingtips: Are you a member of Edunation III?Jean Wingtips: I'm thinking about renting a spot, and I could use a testimonial if you have oneJean Wingtips: Do you speak English?You: Sorry. I was sending a message and you were covered! How can I help?Jean Wingtips: I'm new to SL, but I want to "ramp up" fast on delivering training here.

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You: What sort of training?Jean Wingtips: I'm considering renting/buying a place on this island. Are you an owner?You: No. But I know one Gavin Dudeney, the owner of this island, and two others.Jean Wingtips: I have developed courseware and consulting offerings to help IT experts learn to be billable consulantsJean Wingtips: I have spoken to Gavin, but am wondering if there are any current tenantsJean Wingtips: It's always good to hear from "the customers" don't you think?Jean Wingtips: Is this the sample office?

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You: Absolutely. Afraid I'm not a tenant, though - but he has some impressive tenants.Jean Wingtips: Have you spoken to any?Jean Wingtips: What is your purpose here? Are you a trainer?You: Did you know a Dutch MP visited this island to give a speech in election campaign?Jean Wingtips: No I didn't. That's interesting....Jean Wingtips: I don't know what MP stands for. Please advise.………..

Jean Wingtips: I am formal, by nature, as you can see - I'm comfortable in a suit and chose the name "wingtips" (formal shoes.)

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Page 9: Lets Try A Fresh Start

(JW mentioned that she had been to Germany.)

Jean Wingtips: I loved the way the German people speak their minds - here in US that is often politically incorrect, but I liked it very muchYou: I tried to make my avatar look like me. Other people indulge their fantasies.Jean Wingtips: Nice talking with you. Thanks for the infoJean Wingtips: I like the way you look. Like a smart, casual man

[We then switched to speech, of which there is no automatic log.]

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Page 10: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Purpose of this presentation

To acquaint you with some

aspects of SL and to invite you to consider if SL is worth using as a resource in the area in which you work.

Page 11: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Virtual handout

http://besig2007sl.wikispaces.com

List

For those who want to remain in touch with colleagues interested in exploring the possible use SL in the context of learning and teaching Business English:

BESIG20072L

To subscribe, send an empty message to:

[email protected]

Stop press

Excellent wiki on the educational uses of SL (Thanks to Gavin for reference) :

http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses

Page 12: Lets Try A Fresh Start

Press Cuttings

• Some firms trying out interviews in SL(2007)

• BBC hires island in SL for pop concert

• BBC‘s first in-land broadcast on SL a money programme (2007)

• CNN‘s new presence and news-gathering and presenting scheme (2007)

• IBM probably has largest SL presence

• Society of Jesus (2007)

• Irish government sponsoring tourism in SL Ireland in 2008

• Dutch politician visited EduNation as part of campaigning tour

• A SL credit card has been introduced. (2007)

• British Council‘s on-going project for teenagers (Graham Stanley)

• National Health Service hospital project

• Australian project for young, unmarried mothers with babies

Page 13: Lets Try A Fresh Start

The essence of the SL experience

Presence - you feel there

Trees swaying in the breeze

Birds flying overhead

The noise of surf breaking on the beach

You can walk, fly, sit down, stand up,talk, hear, write, read, watch videos and films, listen to music, record sounds and images (with help of other programs), dance (with a special script), dress up, change your appearance

For me the quintessence of the appeal is: Visual – colour, depth and space.You can walk around. You can talk to people. Nonetheless, feeling of privacy – you are probably the only person at your monitor.

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SLIDE SHOW

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Video clips

In the presentation there were 2 links to short SL sequences made with a screen capturing program. Since you must be connected to the internet if you are reading this, though, if you haven‘t yet visited SL, you can do so by going to:

Second Life