Journal 3: "Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning"

Yoder, M.B. (2009). Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning. Virtual Worlds in the Classroom, 37(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24200&DirectListComboInd=D

In this article, Yoder talks about the implementation of "virtual worlds" into classrooms of all ages and backgrounds. She mainly suggested how it was a great tool for teaching and familiarizing students with world issues and how to better society. By engaging in virtual worlds, islands, cities, etc, the student gets to create a virtual representation of themselves and learn about economics, financial related issues, and establish knowledge through virtual interviews and explorations. Yoder claimed that through virtual worlds, or second life, students will be able to experience "first hand" how to encounter and solve certain issues brought about by today's society. Teachers and students alike will be able to learn and explore in protected virtual societies and learn about each other and other cultures and their situations. For elementary school students, there is a virtual world created in which they can learn about environmental factors shaping society today and how to make these things better. Interesting enough, it was reported that students actually love this concept and are found to be engaged until late hours in these virtual worlds.



What is one major concern that parents may have about this so called "second-life"?

I think one major concern would be addressing the mastery of basic skills. Yes students will have fun in the classroom learning about worldly issues and society to become powerful and efficient people, but in order to reach this step, basic skills must be taught and given more weight to rather than the possibilities these virtual worlds can offer. Yes the student will be able to foster new and useful knowledge at an early age, but we have to remember, they are still CHILDREN.


In what ways can virtual worlds be useful to "special" groups of students?

Just as Yoder mentioned, the virtual world's are also used for youth who have been in detention centers. The virtual world's were a tool used to have them focus on their interests and find ways to use it better society.