This activity was developed with two purposes:
1.) Students are critically examining Second Life as a phenomena as a communication scholar. They define the media characteristics of Second Life and compare Second Life to other communication technologies to gain an understanding of the communication technology and its potential effectiveness in organizations.
2.) Students would participate in experiential learning in that they are developing a business plan for implementing Second Life into an organization while using Second Life. They experience the technology as a user as well as examine the potential for implementation into an organizational setting in order to meet communication needs.
The activity was a group project allowing students to use each other as a resource to overcome technology challenges and to create a peer network so they have someone to dialoque with as they strive to understand the characteristics and potential of Second Life.
Virtual Lab Activities Overview
Below are the learning objectives for the virtual lab activities that I include in my course:
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic course concepts and principles
- Apply theoretical constructs to communication technology phenomena
- Support the role of technology in communication processes
- Position yourself as a researcher and practitioner in analyzing human communication and technological processes
- Analyze mediated communicative behaviors in interpersonal, group, organizational, and societal contexts
- Develop skills and abilities needed to function as a member of a successful virtual team
- Provide recommendations to transform mediated communication processes substantiated by research
The purpose of virtual lab activities is to give you an opportunity for experiential learning. The activities that you are required to complete are done in a group. Working in a group is a substantial part of professional life and working as a virtual team gives one first hand experience of the impact of technology on human communication processes. Therefore, you will be learning how to develop an effective virtual team and be a contributing member of a virtual team. Beyond your learning to develop a successful virtual team, your group is responsible for completing several learning activities that are designed to provide you with opportunities to apply theoretical constructs about which you read, take on the role of researcher or consultant, analyze actual communication behavior in real-life settings and provide conclusions based on your research and information gathered.
Virtual Lab 2 Details
By April 13th:
Task 1: Review the Getting Started in Second Life documents in D2L.
Task 2: Create a blog for your group at Blogger.com. E-mail to me the name of your blogspot once created. Make sure that your group members have access or that one member is in charge for updating the blog.
You will be posting your work product on Blogger for me and your classmates to view. Here is an example of a student project about Second Life on Blogger:
http://nurs211f07.blogspot.com/
Task 3:
Complete the Second Life Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger Hunt Instructions:
1.) Create an Avatar (http://www.secondlife.com/)
2.) While on orientation island, change your appearance (or clothes).
3.) Updated your profile by adding your 2nd Life and 1st Life information (Edit, Profile)
4.) Send to me (Juice Gyoza) a friendship offer (Edit, Friends or Ctrl Shift F)
5.) Visit the UWM island at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arts%20and%20Letters/38/101/22
6.) Review the Rules.
Post the following information on your Blog.
1.) The name of your avatar(s)
2.) What you changed about your appearance and why
3.) A screen shot of your avatar(s) in Second Life on UWM’s sim (optional)
4.) Challenges in getting oriented to Second Life
5.) Your first impression of Second Life
By April 27th:
Task 4:
In 1-2 pages define media characteristics of Second Life (reference Modules 1 - 4). Compare the media characteristics of Second Life with at least one other Web 2.0 communication technology. Also, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of virtual worlds in comparison to the chosen Web 2.0 technology.
Task 5:
In 1-2 pages describe the implementation of Second Life by THREE (3) groups or organizations (e.g., CNN, IBM, Manpower, etc.) supported by our reading in Module 5. Optional: Include screen shots (images) of these organizations’ SL presence.
Post these work products to the blog no later than April 27th.
By May 11th:
Task 6:
Develop a plan for the implementation of virtual worlds (e.g., Second Life) into an organization (e.g., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) (referencing Module 5). 2+ pages
Why would an organization and its members select virtual worlds based on social information and objective media characteristics to meet its communication needs?
What are the structural and individual considerations in implementing virtual worlds into an organization?
Task 7:
In 1-2 pages, discuss societal implications of virtual worlds (referencing Module 6).
Post these work products to the blog no later than May 11th.
Note: All work should be considered scholarly writing and should include APA formatting and referencing guidelines when applicable.
