Virtual Education: Teaching Media Studies in Second Life

Authors

  • David Kurt Herold Hong Kong Polytechnic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4101/jvwr.v2i1.380

Keywords:

Second Life, higher education, tutorials

Abstract

Following the adoption of the virtual world Second Life by tertiary educational institutions worldwide, a limited study was conducted at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to test the feasibility and desirability of employing a virtual environment to conduct classes. 30 tutorials were held in Second Life over a period of five weeks in support of a course on Media Studies with 60 students. Feedback was gathered continuously from students and the lecturer via informal interviews, feedback forms, and participant observation. The results proved most of the initial hypotheses wrong, but supported the value of virtual teaching and learning in a well-supported institutional environment. The paper emphasises the need to integrate virtual environments into the educational framework of courses and for a careful consideration of the educational aims and uses of virtual worlds within specific courses.

Author Biography

  • David Kurt Herold, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Lecturer for Sociology, Project Leader "Core SL - HK PolyU in Second Life"
Cover for v2 i1 Education

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Published

2009-03-06

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009): Pedagogy, Education and Innovation

Section

Peer Reviewed Research Papers

License

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