H_Evidence_2

Melissa Townsend-Crow
LIBR 287
Fall 2013
Visit immersive learning/simulated learning sites and share on discussion board .They should not be historical sites.  They could be science, medicine, nursing, psychology, health, and other types. 

Site I:  Science School  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Science%20School/80/109/31


1.                  What field is the simulated learning site?  Who/what university is sponsoring the site?  The field covered by the Science School site is General Science and it is sponsored by the University of Denver. The emphasis seems to be on applied science.

2.                  What types of activities/learning are they simulating?  Describe in detail what is being simulated and the steps for simulating the learning activity.  There is an observatory to study astronomy and one can use "camera controls" to look into the eyepieces of the telescope, though I never figured out how to do that. There is a simulated nuclear reactor with notecards and interactive things which teach about different types of energy. There is a virtual reality lab which completely immerses one's avatar into an environment chosen by the learner, such as "nature" or the solar system.



3.                  Were you able to actually see a simulation or just see the site? I just saw the site. As I said above, I couldn't figure out how to do the actual simulation, although I did engage with the virtual reality lab.


4.                  Do you think this type of site could be used for learning how to do library/archive/museum work?  I think something like this site would be an amazing addition to a natural or general science center, like our Natural History Museum in Los Angeles or our California Science Center. It would be, I believe, of particular value to those who are unable to visit the actual museum or science center.
5.                  How effective do you think this type of learning was at this site? I learned a few things about nuclear energy – I still stand against nuclear power plants because I don't believe that they are safe enough – yet. But if children and others find themselves at this site, it may pique an interest into further research that might someday change that.
6.                  How effective do you think simulated learning is in general? I think that today's children will learn more effective through technology because they have been immersed in it since birth. I also think the novelty for the rest of us makes it effective because people try it out at least at first, for the fun factor.
7.                  Any other thoughts you wish to share about the sites you visited. Well, I would like to see the link fixed on the teleportation hub to other simulated learning sites – I thought I was going to Zoo Land and ended up on a Gor RPG site!  Gor is not any place I would ever want to be anyway. ;)

I also visited Museum Island which has re-built archaeological sites virtually. It was really neat to explore the recreated Wonders of the World from antiquity.


http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunny%20Breezes/211/150/22
Archeological land. Babilonia, Hanging gardens, Petra, Pont du Gard, Ara Pacis, Pompei, Agrigento, Trajan's column, Arch of Constantine, Rhodes, Temple, Nefertari tomb, Rome, Delphi, Abu Simbel, Tivoli, Efesus. Alicanasso, Buddha.



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