The Now Big Thing

"Online learning is not the next big things, it is the now big thing." - Donna J. Abernathy

E-learning is defined as learning that is facilitated by the use of digital tools and content. Typically, it involves some form of interactivity, which may include online interaction between the learner and their teacher or peers.

This phenomenon is very much prevalent in today's society. We see people uploading videos teaching others how to play a type of instrument, we hear students having a week off from school "because it is e-learning week".

As can be seen, e-learning has now become part of the classroom activity.

There is now e-learning even on Second Life, an online virtual world in which people interact using avatars. A "3D virtual world that can provide and deliver a unique educational setting", "Second Life is being adopted as a platform by more and more institutions of learning". It allows users to be imaginative, without any physical boundaries.

Second Life users, also known as residents, can practise role-playing and "interact with other characters". There is virtual replica of history too. Residents can learn while playing as well, using the concept of scavenger hunt to locate information relevant to their field of study". Students can even go into the "inside of a Dell computer". Language barriers are also broken down with the use of a language translator. And this is just some of the many educational experiences Second Life provides.

One video states that in Second Life, "you can take what's difficult or impossible to do in real life and recreate it here". Examples are defying gravity - flying and creating cities in the clouds. This is certainly "a wonderful place to experiment" should one be teaching astronomy, physics, atmospheric science or even geography. It works users' creativity and imagination and perhaps even brings them to a higher level. Obviously, activities are designed for other aspects of education too - computer science, multimedia, business, marketing, accounting, and architecture among others.

As the narrator mentioned, Second Life has a platform and potential of allowing educators to create a "truly experiential opportunity for students". They can interact with one another, collaborate and to show their knowledge and expertise with one another.

I would agree with this. And from the above-mentioned, Second Life definitely is a totally different type of learning experience from the traditional methods of teaching. However, in a century which is seeing increasing numbers of people being dehumanized by the virtual world, I'm not sure if this is the best method to encourage learning.

As one YouTube user had pointed out, "second life is ok, as long as you remember it isn't your 1st life".

Videos used:

Education in Second Life: Explore the Possibilities

Educational Uses of Second Life