2D VLEs vs 3D VLEs, a comparison of Adobe Connect and Second Life in an Educational Setting

My online graduate programs at the University of San Francisco makes use of two distinct, powerful VLEs, Virtual Learning Environments.  The first, Adobe Connect, is a two dimensional VLE that allows communication between instructors and students using audio and video and real time.  Additionally, the instructor may see the students desktop, text chat can be used, and surveys can be posted.  Communication can be synchronous or presentations can recorded for later use.  Adobe Connect's greatest strengths are it simple, straightforward interface and the low impact it has on computing resources.  The interface can be easily modified, resized and adjusted to suit the task at hand whether it is video conferencing with multiple participants, presenting a lecture using presentation software or even a basic audio chat.  Adobe Connect accomplishes all of these tasks with minimal system lag, using the smallest bandwidth possible while maintaining audio and video integrity.

Perhaps, the simplicity is also its weakness.  The interface may be seen as rudimentary and sterile by students who are used to video games, music videos and special effects laden television programs and films.  The 2D world of Adobe Connect may just be engaging or immersive enough for younger students who may have short attention spans.

Second Life, on the other hand, is a three dimensional VLE that seems perfectly designed to the younger generation of students.  The colorful complex graphics, the engaging experiences and the ability to move through space are its greatest strengths.  The simulation of 3D motion with one's personal avatar is immersive enough for many students to be almost indistinguishable from real life experiences.  That level of immersion is when learning, especially language learning can take place.

Although Second Life can be engaging, the initial learning curve is steep despite many teaching aids and orientation environments.  There is so much capability built into Second Life that avatars, motion, navigation, etc. can, at first, seem overwhelming.  Retention rates, often as a result of the learning curve and the significant load the environment places upon computing resources, are exponentially low.  Many first time visitors never return.  However, those who either through personal persistence or the guidance of a mentor, come back for subsequent visits are rewarded with an immersive experience that is both engaging and educational. 

For teachers, especially those teaching languages, being able to meet with students in an environment far removed from the traditional classroom, provides an environment in which student can lose their inhibitions and explore the world around them as well as their burgeoning language abilities.

Second Life: Real Life Experiences in a Virtual World

One of the greatest challenges to traditional language teaching methods such as drills and repetition is the expectation that students have regarding the teacher's digital media literacy.  By meeting those challenges directly, teachers can increase their own credibility while providing useful, engaging tools for their students.  Language learning through active movement and experience, even in a virtual world, can lead to longer knowledge retention when compared to traditional methods.  Students who are tasked with specific projects can collaborate and be so immersed that the artificiality of the virtual world is forgotten.  A core strength of Second Life is many engaging "worlds" have already been constructed and teachers can take advantage of their existence right away without having to spend long hours creating custom environments.

An environment such as Spaceport Alpha, the International Space Museum is well suited for students to explore, experience and prepare reports about their experiences.  Because the exhibits are fact based, interested students can use the virtual museum as a base from which to expand their knowledge.  A convenient map of the exhibits allows visitors to orient themselves easily.

Individual exhibits are well labeled and because of Second Life's built in capabilities, a visitor can use camera controls to "see" objects from virtually any perspective.  From a language learning perspective a student can be assigned to describe unfamiliar objects using words and expressions they already know.  For example, a student could describe the Viking Lander and a short, squat object with spindly legs that extend from its body at a 45ª angle.  Such a description can convey an accurate image without having any direct familiarity with the object being described.

As with many Second Life venues, Spaceport Alpha has a meeting place where both teachers and students can present projects.  The central location of the meeting place makes it easy for newcomers to find.

Not All ESL Sites Are Created Equal in Second Life

Although ESL sites abound in Second Life, not every site is created equal.  Most areas are open for free and unencumbered exploration with many activities and displays open for anyone’s use.  Obviously, one must behave in a respectful, truthful and generally civil manner.  The rules of netiquette are not particularly difficult to learn or utilize.  There are, however, a significant number of commercial, private sites that also hold classes and have paying participants that are not open to the general public.  

One such destination is Drive Through ESL.  The name is attractive and shows up on searches for ESL sites on Second Life near the top of the search results.  When I dropped in I was greeted almost immediately by Giovanni Tweak.  Not knowing who he was, I hesitantly responded to his questioning about what I was doing at Drive Through ESL.  After I enquired, he let know me that he was the owner of the site and handed me a notecard with rather terse rules for dropping in.  I was polite in my interaction with Giovanni through "chat," but I was taken aback after reading the following rules:

* This is a private, commercial school. It is not a public place.  

* By conducting a research without authorization you might be breaking International Laws about Copyright Protection, violating Terms of Use and Community Standards of Second Life. 

* Your ignorance of the English language or Second Life, the general lack of understanding of the situation and context is NOT an excuse for violating these rules.

When I presented by "credentials" as a graduate student in a MA TESOL program, he did offer a link to his website, and a bit friendlier.  The rule does say that the site experienced visits from many rude and offensive people and developed the rules to protect the privacy of the paying students and the productivity of their teachers.

There is an extensive schedule of both text based and voice based classes.  An initial class is offered free of charge, there extensive help files on the website, email based support and multi-lingual staff to help newcomers feel more at ease.  Since I didn't have a chance to take an actual class at this site, I cannot comment on the quality of the instruction.  However, I would like to point out that there are numerous sites on Second Life that offer both free information as well as free access.

Easy English and More in Second Life:  Edunation (continued)

The 3D virtual world of Second Life can, at first, be quite daunting to navigate.  For ESL teachers it is a good idea to act as a guide and encourage students, preferably one-on-one, to visit some of the most engaging and exciting sites in the first couple of sessions.  Getting "bogged" down in the minutiae of controls and settings in the first session may scare off many.  The statistics of users who do not return bear this out.  However, when curiosity is peaked, conversations ensue, and a great deal of natural language occurs.

Guides for getting around and going directly to interesting locales (teleporting) can be found throughout Edunation.  It can be as clicking on poster.

Students and teachers alike can find a myriad of places to sit, relax, have drink and chat, or even the view of a spectacular sunset.

Journeys through Second Life:  Edunation

3D virtual worlds like Second Life, provide an immersive, interactive method for people from all over the world to explore, learn, interact and create in real-time using aural, visual and spacial cues.  Through the use of simple mouse and keyboard controls, visitors to Second Life walk through historical city streets, explore a gallery, build 3D models and even make movies called machinimas.   For teachers of languages and their students Second Life offers a rich meeting ground where class can be held, any subject of situation can be simulated with life-like accuracy both in appearance and in experience.  This week, the Teacher in Search of an Education is going to explore some educational sites by waling and flying through them, taking photos of the experience and discuss how they can be used to create a rich experiential environment for the learning of English as a second language

Edunation Island is a well known destination for students and teachers alike.  The arrival area is well laid out with simple instructions about how to navigate to various locations on the island.  A simple click of the mouse can take a visitor directly to their chosen destinations.   Popular destinations on the island include a comfortable learning platform filled with bean bag chairs and a large screen for presentations.  This kind of space is ideal for students from all over the world to meet to sit, relax, and chat.  When teachers want to hold informal discussion sessions, this is the place to be.

The island provides many destinations, geographical features and objects for students to explore, discuss what they are seeing in real-time with other classmates who are also visiting and record their observations.  The combination of aural, visual and spatial stimuli can engage students in a way that enhances a natural way of learning language.  A visit to the Guggenheim gallery is one example of a destination that can stimulate conversation about history, art, design, etc.

One of the most unique destinations on the island is an entire house constructed by Barbara Novelli, an English teacher with over 20 years of experience.  The house she built is designed not only as an intimate meeting place for her students, but as treasure trove of objects from everyday life that can stimulate discussions.  From the realistic welcome mat at the door to the inviting fireplace surrounded by comfortable couches, Barbara's house is just plain inviting.  The realistic kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms are filled with everyday objects.  When students explore these everyday objects and places, they are easily motivated to call objects and actions by the their proper names.  Because they can explore the same space together with their classmates, the experience become even more realistic.