1. November 2009 SOAS 1 by Graham Davies http://grahamdavies.wikispaces.com Language Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worlds

2. November 2009 SOAS 2 Two links for further info The ICT4LT website Module 1.5, Section 14.2.1 http://www.ict4lt.org http://www.ict4lt.org EUROCALL / CALICO Virtual Worlds SIG http://virtualworldssig.ning.com http://virtualworldssig.ning.com

3. November 2009 SOAS 3 Two videos Silver & Goldie Intro to Second Life Silver & Goldie Intro to Second Life Language learning in Second Life by Karelia Kondor http://kareliakondor.blip.tv

4. November 2009 SOAS 4 Three Second Life projects http://avalon-project.ning.com http://avalon-project.ning.com AVALON http://avalon-project.ning.com http://avalon-project.ning.com NIFLAR http://niflar.ning.com http://niflar.ning.com SLExperiments http://slexperiments.pbworks.com http://slexperiments.pbworks.com

5. November 2009 SOAS 5 Pros of Second Life 3D visual context, ownership of space3D visual context, ownership of space Offers wide variety of situations and settingsOffers wide variety of situations and settings Good social platformGood social platform You can hear and talk to native speakersYou can hear and talk to native speakers Virtual classroom emulates f2f situationVirtual classroom emulates f2f situation Task-based, project-based learningTask-based, project-based learning Good for pair work and group workGood for pair work and group work Tandem learningTandem learning Extra-curricular activities: clubs, pubs, chat groupsExtra-curricular activities: clubs, pubs, chat groups Its fun!Its fun!

6. November 2009 SOAS 6 Cons of Second Life Requires hi-spec hardwareRequires hi-spec hardware Difficult to use: steep learning curveDifficult to use: steep learning curve No eye contact, no lip-synchNo eye contact, no lip-synch Gestures and body language are not authenticGestures and body language are not authentic Poor at presenting textPoor at presenting text Lack of established social normsLack of established social norms Lesson preparation takes too longLesson preparation takes too long UnreliableUnreliable Not taken seriously – its just a gameNot taken seriously – its just a game Institutional resistanceInstitutional resistance

7. November 2009 SOAS 7 Some examples Classrooms: VirtlantisClassrooms: Virtlantis Teaching sims: English CityTeaching sims: English CityEnglish CityEnglish City Sims of real placesSims of real places Treasure hunts and questsTreasure hunts and quests Task-based learningTask-based learning HolodecksHolodecks Preparation and support for year abroadPreparation and support for year abroad