Share Paper: A discussion about Second Life and virtual reality as a tool in online teacher education

  1. Karen Lybeck, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
  2. Dana Bruhn, Minnesota State University, Mankato, United States
  3. Solen Feyissa, University Of Minnesota, Twin Cities, United States
Thursday, March 10 2:45 PM-3:45 PM McGavock's B

Abstract: This study looked at online-teacher preparation through the use of Second Life. Conducted over the period of one year, the study consisted of 25 graduate-level Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) students. The procedures were implemented according to the recommendations suggested in previous research in hopes that informed design would be the means to overcoming the published limitations of Second Life. Despite this, the authors were not able to overcome previous difficulties, and did not find Second Life to be a practical alternative venue for peer-teacher role-playing in teacher development courses.