Final assignment and Edayz

We gave the students a list of places to choose from for their major assignment and session 5 to research locations and organize their excursions while we went off to Edayz09

Our presentation went well despite the heat. We had a packed room to present to and 5 of the students came in world to answer questions in real time. We had no problems with technology, proving that going in the evening before to run a check was definitely a good idea.
Many people approached us with questions during the lunch break and we continued to answer questions at the showcase after. Our postcards looked great!!

The students were left to their own devices for session 5 and all have posted their choice of location to the moodle as requested. As part of their assessment they must work together to organize excursions for the class. There has been lots of activity in Facebook with the learners using it to send messages and collaborate on their assignment.
This week’s session will be the last in SL, we plan to meet in town next week for a face to face session and questions.

The Research paper is underway and it will be interesting to see student’s post-test answers and compare them with the face-to-face class.

In world, the students appear confident and relaxed and manoeuvre their way around the island easily. Communication issues have settled down into accepted methods with everyone understanding the need to respond and to keep local chat to a minimum unless requested.

Despite the problems we were experienced, the learners remained interested and keen (mainly I think because we incorporate some play and exploration) they co-operate and communicate well.

Helaine and I were constantly re-evaluating our session plans to adapt to the needs of the students and we managed to stay on track with only a few re-adjustments

While setting up instructions and planning session was time consuming as problems were ironed out and overcome this became more routine and less time intensive, and with resources now in place, shouldn’t prove a problem for future classes

During the project, we found that it was best to:

• make our exercises adaptable, incorporating course work embedded into a task that helped orientate students to the world of SL
• have ‘test runs’ to sure all contingencies were anticipated and planned around
• use phones often to keep in touch with students
• have a space we had full control over, where students felt safe and welcome
• use activities to keep interest and pace going
• (concentrating on a disembodied voice can be tiring
• have more frequent shorter breaks
• ·allow students ( and facilitators) time to acclimatise to the virtual environment
• ·use a social network tool - specifically Facebook – for the students to socialise
• ·offer lots of resources via a LMS like moodle
• ·use multiple forms of communication in-world (and out)
• ·email session plans and instructions a few days prior to the session time