Jess’ E-Learning Blog

I decided that I’ll base assignment three on Second Life, mainly because I do not know much about virtual worlds or online gaming as a tool for learning and because I think that it could be a really interesting way of structuring learning. So, in preparation for joining Second Life, I was reading the FAQ page when I found two points that really formed the crux of why I was interested in Second Life: creativity and ownership.

I think that both of these factors are important in facilitating motivation and interest in online activities. A problem with e-learning that I have experienced is that there is so little ‘real’ interaction which demotivates me.

But Second Life has the opportunity for learners to have so much control over their environment, actions and learning. Individuals can create their own avatars, but also create their own environments and can direct their own experiences. Individuals can also own their own plot of cyber-space (for a fee) and can create their own environments. Individuals in Second Life are greatly empowered. It is this empowerment which interests me and which I believe can motivate individuals to learn.