Professional Development in Second Life

This excerpt was taken from an article submitted by Peggy Sheehy titled "Give Your Professional Development a Second Life" (http://www.techlearning.com/article/15148)

..."My avatar, Maggie Marat, has been a resident of Second Life since August, 2005. Participating via my customized avatar identity within a rich 3-D landscape has provided me opportunities to meet, network, and collaborate with outstanding educators in a global professional learning community. I have developed meaningful, substantive relationships that carry just as much significance to me as their “real world” counterparts.

The evolution of the international educational presence in Second Life has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a few bold and curious explorers has now scaled to thousands of teachers spanning over one hundred regions used for educational purposes. Nearly 400 universities around the world teach courses or conduct research in SL, and
ISTE, Discovery Star Educators, New Media Consortium, PBS, Google Certified Teachers, ALA, all have a presence in Second Life with more organizations joining us every day.

As our professional development groups in Second Life extend, word is getting out to the mainstream education community that the potential for collaboration is not only more effective and efficient, but it’s free! It’s also playful, engaging, at times unpredictable and always “on.”

Perhaps the best evidence of this evolution is the attendance at the Second Life Community Convention this year. The education strand has evolved from a tiny cluster of hopeful pioneers (NYC, 2006) to a dedicated ensemble struggling to get their voices heard (Chicago, 2007), to a shining and powerful host of creative, collaborative and unstoppable educators: truly a force to be reckoned with (Tampa, 2008).

What is the appeal? What does the virtual landscape offer us absent from other online learning communities? The answer is that sense of presence, the ambiance of place and connection--that feeling of “being there.” Other distance learning vehicles may offer flexible time options but are mostly impersonal. The avatar encounter is highly interactive, and interpersonal, providing the same convenience of not having to travel while extending a richer, more immersive and generally more enjoyable experience..."

"Peggy Sheehy is an instructional technology facilitator and media specialist at the Suffern Middle School in Suffern, NY. After a twenty-five year career as a professional musician, Peggy Sheehy now serves as ITF/ media specialist in New York's Ramapo Central School District. She established the first middle school educational presence in Teen Second Life: Ramapo Islands. Starting their third year of learning in Second Life, Ramapo Islands now hosts over 1500 students and their teachers."


What is your take or experiences with Professional Development opportunities in virtual worlds?