Melinda Korzaan Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems

1. Collaborative learning in Second LifeAn innovative implementation of virtual world and Web 2.0 technology to support synchronous online learning Melinda Korzaan Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems Jennings A. Jones College of Business Middle Tennessee State University Lilly Conference November, 2011 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MwD9Y10-w70tAo3TauOlw9HKEYg0jXZTUsXJqJNuAD4/edit

2. Information Technology (IT) Project Risk Assessment and Control • Graduate-level Course • Course Content • Identify, Analyze, and Prioritize IT Project Risks • Risk Response Strategies • Stopping/Saving IT Project Catastrophes • Collaborative/Interactive Course Activities • Case Study Project – Develop an IT Project Risk Assessment • Readings with Group and Class Discussion • Group Tasks • Research Project / Presentation • Originally Met Face-to-Face but Moving Toward Hybrid Format • Student Suggested Meeting in Second Life – Why would we do that???

3. Why Not Meet In Second Life? Risk analysis on meeting in Second Life… Even if we fail we will still learn from the experience What’s the worst that could happen?

4. Is Second Life a Possible Solution for Providing Interactive, Synchronous Learning? Because learning as an interactive, social process is gaining attention in computer-based educational environments, there is a need for designing computer-based education that can support student collaboration and interaction in real-time, synchronous learning situations. (Allmendinger, 2010)

5. Goals • Virtual Meetings • Provide students with a unique learning experience that would benefit them professionally as Business majors • Adapt Collaborative Learning Activities for an Online Environment • Practical, engaging activities focus on learning Project Risk Management • Streamline Learning how to Use Second Life • Economical – Preferably Free • Enhance Interaction by Reducing Psychological Distance in Online Learning • Physical separation augments challenge of providing opportunities for interaction (So & Bush, 2008)

6. Fall 2008 Vassar Island Our very first virtual class meeting in Second Life!

7. What a Scholarly Group! Vassar Island Fall 2008

8. Class Meeting Fall 2009Vassar Island Avatar Group Identity and Bonding A Facebook Posting from Halo Vader

9. Project Disentanglement – Getting the Project Back on Track. Thank you Halo Vader! Saving an IT Project from Becoming a Catastrophe Sometimes Takes a Super Hero

10. Fall 2010MTSU Purchased an Island Our very own amphitheater to meet in!!

11. Activities • Taking Time to Learn Second Life • Allow some time to learn, create, socialize, and explore Second Life • Work on a Virtual IT Risk Project – Students develop an IT Risk Assessment from a Case Study • Virtual Team Research Projects and Presentation • Research a topic related to IT Project Risks and Present PPT to class in Second Life • Virtual Class Meeting • Collaborate with GoogleDocs • Discussion Questions • Brainstorming

12. Taking Time to Learn Second Life Students are first given a tutorial and allowed to learn, explore, and develop their appearance

13. Take Time for Second Life Tutorial, Exploration and Creativity Peaceful and Uncluttered MTSU Island Before Class

14. Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second Life MTSU After Class…

15. Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second Life My Students Turned MTSU Island into a Forest in 2010

16. Taking Time to Learn and Be Creative in Second Life My Students Turned MTSU Island into an Ocean Reef in 2011

17. Taking Time to Learn, Develop Avatar Identity and Socialize in Second Life A lot of activity!

18. Virtual IT Risk Assessment Project In 2010 a group volunteered to work virtually on their mid-term Risk Assessment Case Project

19. Virtual Team Meeting to Work on Risk Assessment Project This is the Green Group working diligently on their project in the Conference Center on MTSU Island

20. Virtual Team Research Project and Presentation In 2010 began assigning research projects to be presented in Second Life. The goal is to simulate a virtual team project. Students are given Linden $ and they set up their own PowerPoint Presentation. Each member of the group has a chance to speak.

21. Group Research Presentation Night! Attending the Student Presentations in Second Life

22. The Virtual Class MeetingClass MeetsGroup Breakout SessionsClass Reconvenes Class begins by meeting as a whole group in the Amphitheater on MTUS Island

23. Class Meetings – Begin with Whole Class at the Amphitheater Chatting with students before class

24. Class Meetings – Begin with Whole Class at the Amphitheater Omodan is checking out the Discussion Questions before class begins

25. Class Meetings – Begin with Whole Class at the Amphitheater Time to get started!

26. The Virtual Class Meeting Next, group breakout sessions

27. Group Breakout Sessions This is the Purple Group working in the KOM on Discussion Questions from the Catastrophe Disentanglement Textbook

28. The Virtual Class Meeting After breakout sessions, time to reconvene back at the Amphitheater. Students will then discuss their answers to discussion questions and at time we will travel to other islands for our class discussion time

29. After Group Breakout Sessions From the Amphitheater we teleported to ISTE island where we had a roundtable discussion

30. Class Dismisses and Avatars Travel Home ….or just logoff

31. Avatars Travel Home Class is over and I’m flying home on my Pegasus