Thursday, July 1
1:30 PM-5:00 PM
UTC
Dockside 1

W5: Defining Excellence in Teaching and Learning Through Second Life: A Culturally Responsive Model (Bring Your Laptop)

Workshop ID: 28657
  1. Maryanne Maisano
    University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Abstract: This workshop focuses on Second Life, an immersive learning software program of a Virtual World that allows students to activelycommunicate with people from different places and different cultures, with the assistance of simultaneous translation services. Teachers, with their students, can create scenarios in endless venues, focusing on concepts of social justice and cultural universals “meeting” students from other cultures and countries for discussions, ideas, developing thinking skills, and participating in simulated field experiences. With SL, already a virtual reality, the presenters of this workshop will demonstrate the current possibilities and advantages of connecting traditional classroom preparation of pre-service teachers andin-service preparation with the expansive opportunities for classroom instruction provided by this technology format which is part of the system known as immersive learning.

Objectives

Through Second Life, an Immersive World Learning Tool, the participants will have an interactive opportunity to create a virtual learning environment, network with educators worldwide, and gather professional materials and resources that will define excellence in teaching and learning through a culturally-responsive model. Within the workshop time, the participants will: Be introduced to Second Life and its features Create an avatar that brings the them into the immersive world Be able to navigate through virtual educational environments Landmark resources that can be used for teaching and learning Network with other educators world-wide to develop concepts, strategies, materials, and other teaching tools culturally responsive to their own educational settings

Topical Outline

• Virtual Classroom Development which can be modified continuously, as required, for specific subject area learning and attention to individualized needs • Subject-Area Availablility and Integration through access to the Internet and human resources • Practice Teaching Simulations and Role-Playing allowing every student to participate and interact with colleagues • Distance Learning Opportunities for Developing Culturally Responsive Teaching with “distance” being global and communication made possible through immediate translations (ex. Finnish to English and English to Finnish) • Simulated “Field” Experiences that takes students to “courthouses, hospitals, environmental sites, geographic regions” or wherever else one can actually and, therefore virtually, reach.

Prerequisites

The intended audience prerequisites include access to computer/laptop with vidio card for Second Life download. Through Second Life, an Immersive World Learning Tool, the participants will have an interactive opportunity to create a virtual learning environment, network with educators worldwide, and gather professional materials and resources that will define excellence in teaching and learning.

Experience Level

Beginner

Qualifications

Dr. Maryanne Maisano – She is currently an Assistant Professor serving the Department of Professional Education at the University of North Carolina, Pembroke, striving to make a positive impact focusing on implementing and sustaining educational change in the lives of her students. Dr. Maisano brings to her students the history of educational involvement in both private and public education and is currently using Immersive World Technology in both face-to-face and online courses to facilitate instruction. Mr. Randy Olsen—He has a degree in Public Speaking and received a Professional Diploma in Secondary Language Arts. He has taught in Hawaii for three years and then moved back to Utah to pursue a graduate degree. Upon receiving a Masters of Education from the University of Utah in Educational Leadership and Policy in 1994, Mr. Olsen went on to serve as an Assistant Principal and then Principal in Park City School District. After some time off from education he returned to the classroom in 2005. He is inspired by the many bright, thoughtful, caring students who enrich his classroom everyday. Mr. Olsen is also extensively involved in Immersive World Learning as a model for enrichment of course development for gifted and talented students.
No presider for this session.
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