CED 533 Now Complete

I thought I would make my last post on this blog as a graduate student.  I have just completed my Portfolio for CED 553 and my coursework for CED 595 is already complete.  Here is a video that I included in my 553 portfolio.  Enjoy.

Unit 6 - Our Own Interests: Sim on a Stick & Open Sim

Rationale:

I fully recognize that our research was supposed to be on some aspect of SL this week.  I decided to take a slight detour, though my topic in general is about the mass exodus of educators from SL to other Sims.  I chose Sim On A Stick (SOAS) and Open Sims as my topic for discussion because I believe that Second Life and made a definitive change of course that leads away from educational uses to ones that are more commercial.  It remains to be seen whether or not Linden Labs changes it's mind and renews ties with education.  Educators are moving in new directions and on to new grids.  I see SOAS as a cost effective, safe, and viable alternative to SL, at least in a middle school environment.

Articles:

 The articles I read dealt with introducing SOAS to Multi User Virtual Environments (MUVE) users.  I watched a YouTube from iliveisl, the creator of SOAS, that has the record, as of this blog, at 576,000 prims on one SOAS.  That is amazing!  The one concern I have had is not being able to colaborate on projects as SOAS is a single user environment.  Some clever souls have fixed that too.  If you have the luxury of having a dedicated computer for SOAS, you have others log in usind the computer's IP address.  You have to create new accounts for each person but, you can truly make SOAS a MUVE.  This can all happen safely behind the school district's firewall.  I would be interested to see how it handles multiple users and how many users can it support before things start to lag out.

Another interesting article is about how machinema creators are looking to SOAS as a way to be completely secluded and in complete control of their environment they are creating.  Again, this falls in to being more cost effective.  Obviously on this front, you have to be quite skilled in building in SL but, if you are making machinema, you probably are or have someone at your disposal who is.  This is another angle I might take as I like to make machinema and taking cool photo caps in SL.  

I also read some article on Open Sims in general.  I have been on a couple but feel that I am not really satisfied with what I have seen thus far.  Open Sims add more options, sometimes are cheaper, but still require rental fees and the like.  I believe a some point, someone is going to have to build an OpenSim, that is virtually free to educators and students.  I foresee world wide conferences and sessions held in MUVEs on a variety of subjects all within a safe, well maintained virtual world.  Someone is going to have to take the lead.  It isn't that far fetched when you think how the internet has grown in the last 20 years.  I also read some interesting articles on how to transfer SL content to your OpenSim, provided what you are trying to take is not not copyrighted or without the necessary permissions.

I feel that if I use MUVE technolgy in my current teaching assignment, this is avenue I will be force to take.  I do plan to continue to come back to SL and maybe even drop by Fontbonne Island.  I will always need a sandbox to build my creations :-)

Articles & Research

Unit 5 Alternatives to Second Life

Are there dark clouds on the horizon for Second Life?

 The Exodus

Second Life has been receding since the closure of the Teen Grid on December 31, 2010.  Linden Labs have also stopped supporting their enterprise version of SL that could operate from behind a corporate firewall.  This has led many educators, corporations, military entities, and NPOs to start looking for new virtual worlds.  I am not sure what SL is thinking.  These entities were bringing new users into Second Life.  They may argue that they would come to SL for their intended purpose and leave.  In my mind I would be asking myself, "Why are they leaving?  As a SL noob, I felt lost.  The welcome center concept was an interesting concept but I think it left a bit to be desired.  I think the first thing would be a quick start guide in pdf form where noobs could learn some things to feel more comfortable with their new avatar.  I think it is this disconnect with their avatar that leads them not returning.  Second would be a destination guide, easily accessible on the the tool bar that would give them some things to see and do.  Obviously you can do this with a search today but, it is too meticulous for the new user.  You could even have beginner and advanced tool bars to have additional tools for their differing needs.  But, I digress.

Entities have been intrigued by virtual environments, even with the lack of control and adult content that SL offers.  It has left them wanting more and with SL not willing to provide, they have begun to look for new virtual environments to plant their flag.  The US Army has created their own grid that will allow them to work behind protected military firewalls.  They are working to make it to were sensitive data can be collaborated on and transferred.  Doctors, nurses and universities are using virtual world to simulate doctors exams.  It is much better than speaking to a plastic dummy.  Schools are moving to Open Simulator technology so that their creations can be housed on their own servers. 

3rd Rock Grid

My generic avatar in 3rd Rock

 I decided spend my obligatory 2 hours on 3rd Rock Grid. I was not really impressed.  I was similar to Second Life in most respects.  I never saw another soul while on the grid.  There were a total of 17 people on the grid when I was on it according to the website.  3rd Rock did get voice as of January 2012.  I looked up prices and found them to be a little pricey.  For a 3x3 Meg Region which is the equivalent of 9 standard regions, with 45,000 prim which $200 a month.  Textures are free and I was able to find a couple sandboxes to build things.  I just felt like it was just another Open Sim grid and I felt that I would not want to pay that much for server space if I could get it and my school district or on a usb drive.  I know my school would prefer to be behind a firewall.  I think I will stick with SL or SOAS.

I made a tshirt so I didn't feel so generic.

Clemson's College of Computer Science Region

Unit 4 - Interactive Virtual Games

This is the game I created for this unit, Archaeology Quest.  Obviously there is a heavy nod to the legendary Indiana Jones.  The game uses answers delivered on chat channel 6 to reveal a picture beneath.  I created the texture for the sign using Photoshop.

I made the board so that it can be reproduced again and again, with different questions and answers.  I needed to give the questions to the students so I made a treasure chest with notecard giver inside to start the game.

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Upon answering all the questions correctly, it reveals famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter.  As the tiles disappear, I added a sound to enhance the experience.  I found this to be a fairly easy project.  Since I made it a "cookie cutter" project, it will be even easier the next time around. 

Unit 3 - World of WarCraft

My Human Character HackunSlash!

I must stay, I was shocked.  So shocked that I feel like I am doing something wrong.  I was not blown away like I thought I would be.  I feel myself saying, "Is that all there is?"  I think I am missing some important element to this.  I would probably help to have a friend that plays to help me get started.  I was able to complete several quests, advanced to level 6 and too training in first aid and enchantments.  I have no idea what any of that means or what I can do with it.  I have found that there is no good tutorial on how to play.  Most games I have every played, had some kind of walk through to get you started.  With WOW, you start off fighting lesser beasts but can often times find yourself among tough predators, which usually ends in death.

Chopped Goblin Assassin for dinner!

I did not feel a sense of addiction, probably because I feel lost.  I still have an open mind and hope to learn more as time goes on. 

Practicing fighting a dummy.  No sure who's the bigger dummy!

I liked the problem solving quests I went on.  I seemed, however, that most of the quests were to go kill some strange beasts.  I think what is important is that it takes it in little manageable bites.  Then the bigger picture emerges.  I think this concept is important when structuring lessons, games, etc.

Working In SOAS

My sliding portcullis

I have been working in the Medieval world on Sim On A Stick.  I have built a wall and portcullis to divide two parts of the island.  I found an OpenSim sliding door script on the internet and dropped it into my prim.  I then had to adjust the script to move 4 on the Z axis instead of 2 on the X axis.

As you can see it works great.  Here are some other pictures from Inception Island.  Inception Island is the island in the Medieval virtual world in which students can build.

The bridge onto Inception Island

The plaque that greets you on Inception Island

Unit 2 - TranceFormational Learning

The Chapel of St. Michael

The Environment:
I created St. Michael's Church in medieval Europe during the height of the bubonic plague.  I started with walls and the east doors.  I had some difficulty getting the doors to work properly.  I tried a different script and once installed, it worked better than I had hoped.  I then went about the arduous task of decorating it.  I even used some images of real Gothic stained glass from the period.  I added sun rays to the windows for added realism.  I then added an alter, host, and communion wine. I created some candles using my Porgan Particle Generator.  I then added my Logic System for the questions.  Finally, after some expert advice, I added some sounds and prizes to the logic system for added emotional response.  It took almost four full days to complete and I could still add to it.  I finally had to say enough is enough.  My goal is for this to serve as a vignette for a larger role playing adventure.  The warrant they receive from the priest upon completion of the quiz gives them information that they would use in the next vignette.  Once complete, they would have reviewed for their Chapter 14 test in my class.

Tranceformational Learning Principles:

• Objectives-  Tranceformational Learning (TL) acknowledges the importance of good and measurable objectives but goes further in setting goals for the learner inner motivation for learning. In other words, the objective taps into the learner's own creativity and drive to complete the task.  This could apply be me having greater focus on how my lessons draw out the students own creativity instead of just repetition.
•  Attention-  TL also focuses on engaging the learner.  Similar to how the marketing and the entertainment industry creates content for their target audience, TL tries to tap into their target audience.  Activities are designed to capture and recapture attention throughout.  The learn is stimulated and their engagement is maintained throughout.  This does not mean that we simply entertain but that we create our activities with meaning so that the engagement is either personal, motivating, or something they are interested in.  I already employ this to a certain degree but there is always room for improvement.  One of the things I plan to do post graduation is take a long hard look at all of my presentations to critique the ebb and flow of the material.
• Together-  TL studies the dynamics involved in group learning.  Traditional group or shared learning doesn't necessarily mean greater learning and engagement.  The group members still have to have meaning and purpose.  TL often employs a Guild-like approach to group work.  In a Guild, each member has clearly defined, self-selected roles.  Each member plays to their strengths and has a more cohesive, shared experience.  This is a daunting task in the sixth grade.  There skill are often not developed enough to recognize and put into guild-like groups.  I do try on one particular activity in class and they do not particularly like it, until they have a hand in putting their own groups together and the gain an appreciate my pairings.
• Immersion-  This is where TL and applications like Second Life really make hay.  Immersion refers to creating an environment where the learner can forget themselves and become part of the fantasy.  In 3D virtual environments, the learner can experience from audio and visual receptors.  Highly engaging, immersive experiences can often times give the user more control over outcomes.  I am attempting to create an immersive environment in OpenSim.  I look forward to a time when I can focus on its creation.
• Emotion-  As with Attention, a lot can be learned by how marketing and entertainment tap into our emotions.  We are more engaged when we have desirable emotion associated with an activity.  TL research has shown that learning can increase as much as 40% when emotion us used effectively.  TL calls emotion "the instant cement for learning."  Emotions have there limits and cannot be sustained too long.  TL warns that a balance must be struck between being bored and overwhelmed.  Middle schoolers are never short on emotional response to anything.  I always use the emotion of humor to carry units and discussions along to great success.  Last year, I had a class that could not handle humor.  They would laugh and then take 5-10 minute to settle back into order.  They were very difficult.
• Authentic- TL strives for authenticity in both the activity and the feedback the learner receives.  TL attempts to remove all distractions to engage the learner directly in the content.  The new content becomes part of the experience.  The learner can then apply some of that learning in authentic situations.  (I did enjoy his anecdotes about story problems!)  I try to add authenticity to all of my into all of my units.  In ancient history, it is hard.
• Learning- Learning is always a goal or objective of education but, TL make a point to clearly focus on the mechanics of learning, specifically in the realm of long term retention and application of knowledge.  I like the statement that "learning has an impact on the individual."  So many lessons are just churned out to meet a state standard, cover a chapter, etc.  This goal re calibrates what it is all about, having a lifelong impact on our students.

The Chapel of St. Michael

My Pikkubot Father Mulcahy

Inside the chapel

The Holy Sacrament