ICT reflection

Second life provides a good platform for learning. In this video, it focused more on training and simulations. SL allows trainees to try again and again. It is very interactive and in the video,it provides evidence that SL can promote teamwork and leadership building. SL is good for distant learning where trainees do not need to be physically there. SL can also promote soft sills and hard skills since role playing can be done as a form of learning.

From what I have seen and heard, I think SL has the opportunity to be a good platform for educational learning. Students are able to be present in the virtual world and gain knowledge from it.

However, I am doubtful over many things. Some of it I find disturbing.I am looking from the psychological aspect of the child's development. Firstly, the world is virtual. The virtual you could be different from the real you. What if the students suffer from split personality? They feel more confident in the real world but they are unsure about themselves in the real world. Secondly, I have never heard about Second life until now. The thing is, from my experience, none of my students ever mentioned SL. I have heard them talking about facebook, friendster, blog, twitter but I have never heard of them being excited over SL. Therefore, if I were to introduce to them SL and they started to get addicted to it and started to meet the strangers online, will I be responsible for it then?

Also, there are many technological barrier to this. I am no IT expert. So it will take alot of time and effort to come up with lesson plans that involve SL. Is it worth it? So I think I shall not pursue SL. I shall pursue other alternatives to traditional teaching for example blogs, youtube and many many more. And I hope the students will benefit from it.