Abstract

Our collaborative project pertains to the use of virtual settings to leverage learning in advanced fields of studies, such as genetics, chemistry and physics. The project will utilize the 3-D virtual medium called SecondLife. Our project will encompass the study of genetics through SecondLife by touring a pre-designed virtual site, Genome Island. This tour will introduce college-level students to genetics expression and phenotypes.  Students will understand how genetic traits are inherited from their parents and expressed by navigating through and completing specific activities within the Abby located in Genome Island.  The project development will be documented using Microsoft Teams and a multi-media presentation which will be published on our team WordPress site:    https://edtechexplorers.tech.blog/ 

Introduction

We are living in a world where our boundaries are being ever expanded to a global level in each facet of our lives.   We are now able to telecommute to work, have conferences with branches in different countries, even communicate across language barriers.  Is it no wonder that our educational foundation is being expanded as well?  Universities across the globe can offer access to their best and brightest instructors via virtual classes.  Educators can add diversity to their classrooms through Skype.  Students can explore different environments or museums through virtual online worlds.   

This project looks to explore one of those virtual worlds.  Linden Lab developed Second Life, not for educational purposes, but as an immersive virtual world.  Philip Rosedale, CEO and Founder of Linden Lab, tells of his dream of being able to manipulate the world around him and how Second Life became a way that anyone can create or change their environment.  (Rymanszewski, et. al. 2007).   However, many different institutions have begun using Second Life as a platform for distance education.  The University of West Virginia has even designed their Special Education Pre-service and In-service training in Second Life (Ludlow, Harley, 2016).  As more and more educators explore the benefits of being able to explore pre-made environments or create their own environments in a virtual world, we will see programs like Second Life expand their internet footprint.   

Our Team

Wendy Argenbright

Eric Cadena

Emiliana Moreno-Escobar

Heather Woolsey

Zachary Kapalka