God, this has been kicking around in my need to publish list for a while.
It was originally called Second Life as an instructional platform. I like this title better...
I'll just come right out and say it.
I don't think Second Life is a particularly good platform for learning.
It's not that I don't think it could be made to be one, in the proper hands. I'm just afraid that the SL true-believers, the ones who have drunk the kool-aid, gone around the bend, argue poorly, and simply for the sake of arguing, on every mailing list that dares to point out that the existence of a media type is not as important as how that media type gets used with respect to learning are not the ones to be leading the charge in to this bland new world of instruction.
Of course, with every school needing one or more SL islands to prove they haven't been left behind, that they 'get it', the powers that be will be dropping wads of cash at any developer who can build them a presence in world regardless of effectiveness.
Sounds disturbingly like the web rush of the mid 90's to me.
All that being said, I think investing time in Croquet may be more beneficial in the long run, though I have issues with that product as well.
So ok, I've said the heretical thing. Do you agree with me? Or am I remarkably wrong on this point?
Bonus points to your argument if you don't claim that I 'just don't get it.' We can meet in world so I can explain why you are wrong on that notion... Incredible bonus points if you can make some concrete suggestions as to how to make it a useful tool for instruction.
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