Stoke Damerel Community College in Britain recently begun using Second Life as a teaching tool – and the results are encouraging.
Students created a virtual Drakes Island in the virtual world
A majority of the 24 students participating in the school’s pilot project reached a key academic milestone earlier than anticipated. According to The Herald in Plymouth, 80 percent of the ninth-year pupils hit “key stage 3” goals in one term instead of the expected three terms.
The students created their own online world in the virtual world – dubbed Drakes Island – and took on assigned task.
Some received instruction in 3D modeling. Others produced a documentary. Papers they wrote were stored in treasure chests.
The program drew attention from as far away as the Czech Republic and Lithuania. Schools abroad sent teachers to observe.
“Here we have utilized a cyber world to show such a format can used very successfully for both academic learning and improving social and leadership skills,” said Darren Towers, a media advanced skills teacher.
It’s about time. Why aren’t more projects like this flourishing?
[...] Second Life Finds A Role In School [...]