Our 6 Keys for using Second Life as an immersive learning tool

1. Have a Second life: Get to know SL before trying to use it as a Facilitation tool 

• familiarize yourself with Avatar movements, flying, teleporting, Chat IM and local chat, groups, voice
• Educational methodologies such as Lecture Booth, machinima videos, chat logger, sloodle, 

2. Gather a Gun Project team with a mixture of skills 
We used an Industry Partner with knowledge of organisation and training needs, also a gifted facilitator and trainer.

• Educational expertise from Tabor 
• Technical knowledge from On Line Learning Manager 
• IT staff 
• Consultants
• GippsTafe- provided us with an island to use   

3. Walk before you run!
The SL skills of the participants (and Facilitators) take time to develop. Don’t be too adventurous at first. Teach new skills in Second Life along the way eg teleporting, changing appearance, flying

4. Be flexible

• Prepare for things that can go wrong in SL. Eg: technical difficulties, avatars getting lost, SL crashing [presenter 'crashes'] Distractions at participants computers, eg visitors, children, phone calls 
• Must plan thoroughly and consider the above contingencies.
• Go with the flow, eg move to chat if voice not working, if someone drops out, keep going a different facilitator takes over

5 It takes 2 (or 3!)

• At least one group facilitator and one technical facilitator. Group discussions, need strong facilitation skills.
• Avatars can get lost, have trouble with voice and audio 
• Trying more complex methodologies eg Machinima, videoing and recording takes another level of expwrtise that the educational facilitator may not have
• There is a lot going on and there is a lot to juggle for just one presenter 

6 Be Inclusive

• At times, technical difficulties can present limitations to the participants eg: Can’t speak Can’t hear 
• Need to have a variety of ways to communicate organised, eg: The script of the lecture can be handed out through a note card so students can read it if they cannot hear (Also may suit their learning style) 
• One facilitator can type chat in, as Avatars use voice
• Establish group norms for communication eg “k” for OK 

Benefits/ Reflections

• Brilliant for gathering a geographically scattered group of participants 
• Great for getting quieter/shy participants to contribute, through chat and voice 
• Immersive, (more than you think) and therefore absorbing and engaging learning! 
• Free!
• Exciting visually and fun!