Designing Transient Learning Spaces in Second Life - a case study based on the Kamimo experience

Abstract

Through the grant “Virtual Campus for Life Long Learning” (NUV, 2007), we have gained experience in the design and building of a virtual island or “sim” in Second Life for the purpose of education. This paper discusses the virtual representations, tools, context and spaces used in course activities conducted under the project. While SL can replicate the classroom lecture, it gives further opportunities for interactive and active teaching as learning activities can take place in dispersed and diversified virtual spaces. These can be defined as transient spaces insofar as participants, activities and representations change over time. Designing transient learning spaces raises different challenges and opportunities from designing learning in the traditional physical classroom. Challenges include enabling new users to orient themselves in these spaces and how to behave in the new environments, for example. Transient learning spaces also offer new opportunities, such as the ability to design and develop a specific space for each course. The aim of this article is thus to help the teacher and “sim” designers to recognize the potential of transient learning spaces and the factors that influence their effective design.