An Exploration of Higher Education Teaching in Second Life in the Context of Blended Learning

ABSTRACT

This study explores teaching experiences of educators within the virtual world of Second Life (SL) and pedagogical practices adopted. A blended approach is applied by using physical classrooms, BlackboardTM, web-based resources, and the virtual world of SL in an Information Literacy (IL) class for 1st year undergraduate students at an institution in the UK. A Case study was employed as well as a parallel qualitative component, interviews, was added to the study that provided another source of insights to articulate perspectives of educators in teaching within VWs. In reflecting and evaluating the teaching experiences, evidence is drawn from observations, semi structured interviews, chat logs, snapshots, and field notes. A thematic approach is used to analyse the data. The findings from the data analysis are presented in terms of seven themes: cybergogy, creativity, trial and error, wow moment, uncertainty, experiential learning, and dynamic relationship.