Social Networking, Second Life & VR

            In recent years, social networking has become a cultural phenomenon. Almost everyone in some form or another, uses social networking. However, social networking also has value in an educational setting. Teachers can use social networking to communicate with students and parents. Furthermore, some social networking websites like diigo, provide opportunities for educators to advance their knowledge of instruction.

In addition to social networking, web sites like second life allow students to interact in a virtual environment. Second life utilizes avatars, which are virtual characters representing people. Users of second life can explore the second life world, interact with other users, and participate in individual and group activities. As second life is intended for people over the age of 13, teachers can only utilize it in learning environments with students over that age.

In Second Life: an overview of the potential of 3-D virtual worlds in medical and health education, the authors examine virtual worlds and the potential impact that they could have on medical environments. The authors acknowledge the potential second life could have in the medical field; however, they acknowledge that it is a relatively new technology. “Indeed, 3-D virtual worlds offer great potential to creative medical and health educators and librarians, but more research is needed into their use in medical and health education (also as the technology underpinning 3-D virtual worlds develops and matures over the coming months and years).” However, in the medical environment the authors note several situations where second life is useful in preparing and educating medical professionals.

In addition to second life, educators can utilize virtual reality simulations to reach their students. These tools are useful in reaching learners who do not respond to other teaching methods. Furthermore, virtual reality simulations can be used to enhance the learning of all students. Virtual reality utilizes computer-simulated environments that can simulate activities in places in the real world. Virtual reality tools are especially useful in environments where actual practice in the area if not practical. For example, a law enforcement officer cannot obtain real life practical experience in a shooting situation. However, virtual reality simulations allow them to gain experience in situations like the one described.

As discussed in Virtual Reality Can Improve Design Skills in Younger Generation, younger learners have become so used to having technology in their lives, it has almost become necessary. The author says, “A University of Missouri researcher says a widening gap is occurring between educators and students due to the difference in how older and younger generations approach evolving technologies.” The same study also found that students working in virtual reality environment exhibit improved spatial skills, including kinesthetic and logical abilities.

While social networking has the ability to expand education outside of the classroom; the common conception is that technology is distracting and causes people to withdrawal from social interaction. While my opinion if that social networking can provide a distraction to students. In Social Interaction and New Technology the author says, “Internet use does not pull people away from public places. Rather, it is associated with engagement in places such as parks, cafes, and restaurants, the kinds of locales where research shows that people are likely to encounter a wider array of people and diverse points of view.”

Social Development Theory

 I decided to review Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory. This theory is rooted in the idea that social interaction plays an important role in development. Vygotsky (1978) states: "Every function in the child's cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological). This applies equally to voluntary attention, to logical memory, and to the formation of concepts. All the higher functions originate as actual relationships between individuals" (p. 57). This theory also focuses on the idea that people develop as they participate in social interaction with others. Furthermore, complete cognitive development is not possible without social interaction. Vygotsky discusses the example of a child pointing their finger. This gesture initially has no meaning. However, as it begins to illicit a reaction, it develops a meaning in the child’s mind.

Initially, I struggled to find a way to relate a theory centered in the idea that social interaction in necessary for human development to distance learning. However, with the technology that is available today, the two things are interrelated. Educators, especially in technology based courses, are able to utilize technology to allow students to communicate and develop by socializing with one another. As we think back on this semester, we as students have been able to communicate effectively while participating and organizing our projects. Students now have technology tools allowing them to socialize with other students and instructors that were never before available. For example, when delegating the responsibilities for our group project, we were able to communicate using the message board, e-mail, as well as skype.

To encourage cognitive development via social interaction in courses that incorporate internet-based applications, teachers should require students to utilize technology that will allow them to interact with other students. Teachers can utilize message boards to allow students to discuss issues with one another. Furthermore, they could utilize instant message services like AIM, Facebook’s Messaging Service, or Yahoo Messenger to communicate in real time. There are also services like Face Time and Skype that allow students to have face to face communications. With most colleges, and even some high schools utilizing distance learning, it is important that teachers continue to involve and utilize the best technology that is available to encourage social interaction among students.

In addition to courses that are completely distance learning, teachers can utilize these technologies in the classroom as well. For example, a teacher could use Skype to allow their students to communicate with students in other areas, or even other countries. In a foreign language course for example, teachers could allow their students to chat live with students in that foreign country to develop their language through socialization with the student in that country.