Journal #5 - Social Studies in a Virtual World - NETS 5

As a member of ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), I read Learning and Leading With Technology, an online journal published bimonthly that contains articles about the effective use of existing and emerging digital tools. I evaluated, reflected, and wrote Journal Reflections on this current research and professional practice on a regular basis. Teachers and researchers write articles in the journal sharing what is effective for educators using technology in the classroom in support of student learning. I summarized and evaluated the articles as well as posed and answered two questions relating to each article.

Wheelock, A. (2010). Social studies in a virtual world. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25604&DirectListComboInd=D

The author discusses his experiences with Second Life, the multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). He says it is "the most powerful development experience" of his career. Second Life, also used by gamers, allows him the opportunity to interact with fellow educators; learners use it to connect, as well. Themes of some of the "islands" are history, literature, and science. A Sunday morning meeting group formed called Virtual Pioneers. They are teachers from western New York who use Second Life to explore landmarks that exists in a virtual environment. The website for Virtual Pioneers exists on the Ning social network. Teachers who participate in Second Life can visit the Virtual Harlem, Roma, and Alamo islands. This group eventually grew and is part of Kathy Schrock's Lighthouse Learning Island. In addition to tours of landmarks, Second Life offers islands that focus on opinions on current topics such as U.S. political issues.

Question #1: Does Second Life and other MUVEs become addicting to educators? The online community that develops, although it offers many benefits, may be hard for some to break away from. The social site is for professional development, but I wonder how much time educators are spending on the site, away from family - especially when groups are meeting on Sunday mornings. Gamers and others become addicted to sites and it is very possible that teachers do too.

Question #2: Are these teacher-only islands and not accessible to students? The author described it as if they are only for a teacher's professional development, collaboration, and instruction planning. It seems that teachers can certainly share the content with their students in the classroom. After exploring the Virtual Pioneers site briefly, I saw that it is for teachers and that it is a social site dedicated to teachers.