Collaboration and Teaching in a Virtual World: Online course syllabus
Syllabus for the course Collaboration and Teaching in a Virtual World which is designed for educators who want to familiarize themselves with multi-user virtual environments, or MUVE’s.
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Course overview
This course is designed for educators who want to familiarize themselves with multi-user virtual environments, or MUVE’s. In this course we’ll explore one such “world” known as Second Life. The focus of this course will be the use of virtual worlds as a tool to enhance collaboration and their potential as an educational tool. Participants in this course will explore some of the innovative ways Second Life is being used in education while learning the basics of life in a virtual world. Together we’ll embark on weekly virtual field trips to explore key education-oriented landmarks in Second Life while communicating by voice in real time. Weekly forum discussions about the latest news and research regarding MUVE’s in education will also be a key component of the course.
Course goals
- Identify key features of MUVE’s and list current examples.
- Describe the pros and cons of using a virtual platform for collaboration and education.
- Discuss the educational potential of MUVE’s.
- Design a personal avatar in Second Life.
- Demonstrate basic navigation in Second Life.
- Demonstrate the basic communication procedures in Second Life.
Prerequisites
You must successfully complete the following courses before enrolling in this course:
Required texts
There are no required texts for this course. All required readings will be available online.
Glossary
The glossary contains terminology used in the course. Some of the words in the course will link to the glossary. Read through the glossary each week.
Required software
- You will need access to a web browser (IE or Firefox are recommended).
- Second Life: In the course, you will be asked to download, install the software, and create an account (yes, it’s free).
- Ventrilo: You will be asked to download this free software so that we can have voice communication during our Second Life meetings.
- Image editing software will come in handy if you want to take some pictures while exploring Second Life Any image editor will do, or if you are looking for a “free” solution, try Picasa. Another great option, slightly more advanced is GIMP.
- An Office Suite might come in handy as well. MS Office or Google Documents will do, or you can download OpenOffice for free.
- Skype, a free, online messaging system, which will allow you to easily contact me when I’m online such as during office hours.
- A high-speed Internet connection (DSL, Cable, or higher) is also highly recommended.
- System Requirements for Second Life.
- A microphone for your PC.
Optional but recommended software
Required hardware
Course set-up and meeting times
The course is set up in weeks with weekly overviews and assignments. The majority of this class will be conducted asynchronously online in the course discussion forums, however, we will have a Second Life virtual classroom meeting each Thursday night at 7:00PM EST beginning the second week of the course.
How you will be evaluated
Grading is complete/incomplete. You must attend all field trips and participate in the discussions to receive a complete in this course.
Late work policy
In order to ensure that we stay together and have the most effective learning experience, meeting deadlines for discussions is critical. The weekly schedule for this course runs from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Weekly discussions will open on Wednesday at 8 AM of each week. Your initial posting should be completed by Wednesday at 10 PM EST. Your response postings should be completed by 10PM on the following Tuesday. Postings after this time will not receive credit.
Attendance and participation at our virtual meetings in Second Life is also expected. If you cannot attend our online meeting you must contact me in advance to set up an alternative assignment.
Budgeting your time as a student
This is a five-week course. You should plan to spend about three hours each week completing the assigned readings and posting your reflections in the forums as well as responding to your classmates’ posts. I suggest that you complete the online readings the weekend prior to the discussion on those topics if possible. Expect to spend one to one and a half hours each week in our virtual meetings in Second Life.
Required hardware
Course set-up and meeting times
The course is set up in weeks with weekly overviews and assignments. The majority of this class will be conducted asynchronously online in the course discussion forums, however, we will have a Second Life virtual classroom meeting each Thursday night at 7:00PM EST beginning the second week of the course.
How you will be evaluated
Grading is complete/incomplete. You must attend all field trips and participate in the discussions to receive a complete in this course.
Late work policy
In order to ensure that we stay together and have the most effective learning experience, meeting deadlines for discussions is critical. The weekly schedule for this course runs from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Weekly discussions will open on Wednesday at 8 AM of each week. Your initial posting should be completed by Wednesday at 10 PM EST. Your response postings should be completed by 10PM on the following Tuesday. Postings after this time will not receive credit.
Attendance and participation at our virtual meetings in Second Life is also expected. If you cannot attend our online meeting you must contact me in advance to set up an alternative assignment.
Budgeting your time as a student
This is a five-week course. You should plan to spend about three hours each week completing the assigned readings and posting your reflections in the forums as well as responding to your classmates’ posts. I suggest that you complete the online readings the weekend prior to the discussion on those topics if possible. Expect to spend one to one and a half hours each week in our virtual meetings in Second Life.
