2nd+life+-+Lynda+Howe

= Second Life is a 3-D, online virtual world. Anyone aged 18 and above is allowed to join. Each person creates their own identity called an Avatar. With this, one can enter and explore this world, known as the grid. In this world, each avatar can meet new people, socialize, attend classes, and do any number of things which could be done in the real world. Residents can go to school here. Colleges, business and universities have used second life for their clients. I could envision students meeting in a virtual classroom, learning about a topic (e.g. vocabulary words, and then meeting in another section of the grid to meet others and practice using their vocabulary words in this new world. = = = =My idea- Veronica Huver= =I'm not sure if you are also able to create the background setting, but if you are it would be a very cool way to practice appropriate dialogues amongst characters for various locations. It could be at the library, the airport, or your house. THe teacher could even go in and prompt students with questions or common phrases.=

My edit of my edit :) Lynda Howe Apparently you must be 18 to participate in Second Life. There are activities which have been banned here, child porn, selling of pornography, etc., but there is nudity and sexual activity here, and probably a few other choice activities. Teen Second Life seems like a viable alternative, but one must sign up for paypal and teachers and other adults must go through a process in order to be allowed into this virtual world. All in all, it does not seem to be an easy process, but one that could be rewarding if you are willing to put in the extra time for planning and plan ahead.

Comment: Cheryl Prindle I did some searching on Youtube, etc. about Second Life because it is intriguing to me as a possible immersion exercise. There seemed to be some control options as it is being used by schools and there was even a special one done in Britain as an English learning tool for young people all over the world. It is possible to create your island and restrict who can enter. You can even restrict it to your own school and not allow others to see your students. Of course that deletes the aspect of intercultural communication - unless you could partner with a specific school from another culture which would agree to the same standards of use.