MVN08 teachers' professional development

how is this working

2010-10-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

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Finally I have my own quiz chair and choice

2009-08-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

It has taken a certain amount of time to finally have my own quiz chair. I have tried using old and new versions to create and activate the chair and the choice. It is thanks to my colleague Hamid who showed and helped me to get the final version and set the chair after several attempts.

New experience on PhotoPeach

2009-07-09T02:26:00.001-07:00

2009-07-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

MUVEnation Checklist

2009-07-09T02:01:00.000-07:00

This list is suggested by Margarita Pérez-García - Monday, 6 July 2009, 09:47 PM

http://www.muvenation.org/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=1726

Requirement for the Certificate of participation:

Continuous presence in Moodle since the beginning of the course: Done
Participation in discussions in one or more than one of the sections of the course. Done
Achievement of one or more activities within one or two sections of the course. Done

Minimum requirements for the Certificate of completion 'Design and development of hands on workshops in Second Life':

Reported observation and evaluation of hands of at least one hands on workshop. Done
Design of hands on workshop in wiki. Done
Story about development of personal hands on workshop. Done
Evaluation of at least one hands on workshop, implemented by a peer. This last can be replaced by active involvement in the hands on workshop forum or commenting activity in the stories database. Done

Minimum requirements for the certificate of completion "Sloodle":

Installation of Sloodle inworld and iRL. Done
Setting and use of sloodle activities Almost. Done

Minimum requirements for the certificate of completion for the full course:

Same requirements than for section 1 'Hands on workshops' Done
Description of learning approach in wiki Done
Story of a successful practice in education Done
Description of educational tool Done
Discussion on design patterns for teaching seminars effectively Done
Scenario about motivation and learning Done
Reflection on the patterns use in relation to personal teaching problems Done
Contribution to the set of proto-patterns for teaching and learning in Second Life Done
(strongly advised) Scenario linked to an existing pattern
Participation in survey Done

"sloodling" within a holodeck

2009-06-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Inside Sami's holodeck

While rezzing the sloodle tools, I have had amusing moments. I believe that I have learned the skills and I am able to set and reset my moodle and sloodle.
However, I was puzzled looking of the tools I would have rezzed. I would use the camera moments looking around me and see where the tool would be. This actually what had happened to me while doing the activity of "Mini-challenges to improve basic building skills" the object was placed in different places when assigning position coordinates. I did the activity several times, till I used the camera movements to discover the position of each object.
This time, it was similar. When I click on the sloodle errezer, the tool would be placed outside my holodeck.
How I solved the problem?
It was through seeing the hovering texts covering the ceiling and the wall of the holodeck. At the beginning I did not understand. I have to and back from sloodle to moodle in vain. I asked a question in the forum. I was impatient to know the answer. I got nothing. It meant I had to check my skills and knowledge. I deleted all the tools, then. When I tried to get again the tools from the sloodle rezzer, I saw that there was a hovering text on the wall without any tool. Since then, I rezz the tool and take to my inventory and rezz it again and use editing to place it in the appropriate place for me.
It is learning through trials and errors.

Outside Sami's holodeck

A comic Learning journey, isn’t it?

Personal follow up with sloodle

2009-06-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

It has been over a week that I have started to learn about Sloodle together with moodle, which I have initiated to learn from scratch. It was a sever headaches at the beginning since I wanted to do everything without reading the documents and refer to different available resources. It was a waste and time, energy because of the teaching and end of our academic year, including exams and giving marks.
Of course I have rezzed and rerezzed all the tools inworld. I have had many hovering text on each tool, which was worrying. , I posted a question about that in the forum, but got no answer. Therefore, I deleted all tools and started anew. Then, I had another problem. It was the “vending machine”. I looked for it everywhere thinking it is to be found in the sloodle market. I spent much time in the Sloodle Park and also tried hard to get a copy whenever I came across any vending machine. Finally I decided to do three main things before starting the activities:
1-Use YouTube to watch tutorial video
2-Read all the post of all participants and see their problems and how they have solved them
3-Print and read Jaime’ s valuable instructions
4-Attending inworld meeting and asking our colleagues my newbie questions
It was a total success. I have learned a lot of things through this process. You can see the result on the below links. Nevertheless, I still need more instructions and feedback to brush my learning strategies and techniques.

These are some of the snapshots I have taken along the week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29571169@N06/

This link to my holodeck to see what I have done:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/MUVEnation/159/9/1101

Your feedback is appreciated
http://www.muvenation.org/moodle/mod/forum/post.php?reply=7375

Module 2 Section 3 , Activity 2: Writing and social networking

2009-05-26T12:44:00.001-07:00

1- Situation

It seems to be very interesting to reflect upon a previous experience. I am keen on writing since I was in primary school. It has been my favorite hobby. I have kept my old dairies, which I do not have enough time to translate or put them in a booklet. I have published three books and have other projects. In addition, I am keen on using social networking. I would say I live in my emails, which is sometimes annoying for my family members. I moderate a number of Yahoo Groups. I always want my students to make a difference at school. Therefore, I try to come with innovations and apply them in my classroom.

The situation is that my students lack skills and techniques to come up with a good piece of writing. Their writing is terrible. It is full of mistakes: grammar, style, word choice… Writing appears to be “An invisible ghost”. It is a threat that have always made students: fail in their exams, be promoted, or set for an institution’s recruitment successfully. Students are afraid to share their written production, even if they are doing well orally in the classroom. Their marks are not as both teachers and parents expect. This situation is recurrent wherever you go. It is not only for second language learners, but it is the same problem for native speakers of any language. I experienced this with my students in Moroccan and with native speakers students is the States, Crestwood High School, Ohio.

Students like to use the internet. It is part and parcel of their daily activities. They would use it for chatting, playing games, for business, or use it for things that have nothing to do with their studies. Then, they are doomed to use social networking wether teachers or parents like or not, openly or secretly. Therefore, there should be a way to make use of their tendency to use social set of connections.

2- Task

I would like my students to improve their writing skills and do well in their exams through some activities that they are keen on. They would be involving them to participate in lessons and do their exercises effectively. Consequently, I set up a yahoo group for each class. The results were amazing:

Students discuss, comment, answer their classmates’ questions in due time
Students teach each other
Shy students in the classroom express themselves better through writing
Less good students learn better
Gifted students make wonderful production to be shared with the whole class
Grammar, style and word choice have been improved
Students’ writing skills have tremendously improved

These activities have resulted in many useful performances. They have always reinforced everything students have learned in the classroom. Students have learned to work in teams and time management. Most of them said they would capitalize on what they had learnt for future use. However, they are too demanding owing to time constraints and the requirement of the syllabus. The majority of students prefer immediate feedback. Moreover, there is more written skills than spoken one.

http://www.muvenation.org/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=1564#p7320

Module 2 Section 3 , Activity 2: Writing and social networking

2009-05-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Creating an educational scene

2009-05-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

The quest of learning has never stopped. Whenever I am in SL, learning takes place. I was trying to build this scene on the Muvenation, when I was requested to take to my platform.

Inspiring moments

2009-05-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

The above picture is outside my holodeck
The one bellow is inside my holodeck:

My second story:

Thinking of the good success I have so far achieved would be a reflection bout about the previous stages of learning. I remember how terrible I was at the beginning of exploring second life. Stumbling to move any little step, it has been a severe headache. I tried hard not to make whatever mistakes inword would disqualify me from the learning process. Of course, there had been moments when I would feel nervous for not connecting or doing any given assignments. There had been time of stress whenever you have your school and family needs to carry out before anything else.

However, thanks to the cooperative work that has been led in the Moodle and inword, I always feel satisfied and given power to contribute and never to stop this learning journey. Whenever, I felt like learning, I would log into my account and there is always someone to lend a hand. One thing that I have learned is never ever one should hesitate to ask questions despite being stupid ones. I have asked too many trivial ones throughout this trip of knowledge. I have never felt that I have to quit the course. I have learned a lot, including creating my educational scene which is equipped with some furniture.

My happiest moments have always been to know, explore, and master a new skill in second life. The later was just an idea crossing my mind in Kent State University. I have considered it being software that could be used to enhance a good performance of computer apparatus. In fact, it is enriching the learner’s involvement and creating a welcoming educational environment for the coming generations.

My story, then, is a reflection about my funny and happy moments in second life. I am afraid; would it become my first life? How much second life can be draw on in favor of first life?

Nowhereman's Workshop

2009-03-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

The workshop I have attended is very informative and easy to grasp. It is titled “Using scripts and SL objects to teach English in-world”

There was much food for thought. At the beginning, there is a check up of the prior or knowledge by rezzing and changing the position of an object rezzed by clicking on built by choose "edit" in the pie menu and playing with different arrows around the prim. It was something we have used by the end to place word in a game like activity of fail tree. It was done through creating notecards to submit our answers. Nowhereman was consciously to make participants fully engaged in his workshop, thought he experience fair and stress before beginning his workshop. There was a discussion about the implication of the use of that family tree and ways to implement it our classroom. Participant received a notecard enabling them to modify Nowhere man’s objects. Despite not finishing activity one, but I have learned a lot from it.

The second activity had to do with scripting, which enables the teacher to know the students who are actively contributing to the workshop and see how much knowledge they have become skilled at, in the virtual world.

The Instructions were understandable: of as he fostered the learner’s curiosity. Most of these learners were experienced in SL, except me as a newbie. I felt there is too much to learn. That was why, I kept asking for details and question of the various elements I did not know. Nowhereman was skilful in dealing with questions without being discarded by his focus in the workshop. It was a timely workshop.

This is a link to flicker for more photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29571169@N06/?saved=1

Build a Basic Board game with Daffodil

2009-03-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

Observer 1 comments

3 snapshots

http://www.flickr.com/pho tos/29571169@N06/?saved=1

Both opening and closing of the workshop were excellent. She begun by setting a friendly atmosphere and ended up by giving materials and links for future use. Which created a highly efficient learning environment?
The overall objective was successfully achieved as the participants were enthusiastically motivated and continue discussion after the time limit of the workshop
The sub objectives were attained through the use of the inventory and building tab
Tutor’s personally objectives were accomplished effectively, including starting and ending on time. The instructions were well received by the participants who carried out the activities cheerfully. There is the use of local chat and shouting method, and highlighter on some how the interactive-board: I will give instructions were given through the “SpeakEasy HUD”, and participants asked questions in local chat.
Each participant had a spot where to build his game board. Their movements was limited to that space, whereas, Daffodil moved from time to time to better clarify or provide help for the participants.
The late comers were dealt with successfully. She even waited for my connection to get better, but in vain. There is an avatar, who has nothing to do with Muvenation, who was welcomed to attend the session.
The participants were given references
There was a “FREE Teaching Board” link which was provided by a participant: http://slurl.com/secondlife/MUVEnation/124/204/25
In her workshop, Daffodil was in dealing with outstanding:

v manage movement

v the flow of talk

v dealing with disruptions

v teacher and students’ rapport

v catching interest of audience

v timing and pacing

Personally, despite the bad connection I had besides being a newbie, I have many things that I will be using while designing my own workshop.

Attending 2 workshops

2009-02-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is the first workshop:

I have attended two workshops on “Using Builder Buddy: Creating a Tutorial Space”

One was done by Melann Viodovic (Avatar’s name) on 15 Feb 2009 at about 17 GMT. I was the only participant in the workshop as my colleague had certain pre-arranged appointment. It was a bout building a carpet and two chairs. I had registered through Sloodle before joining the other day.

The second was done by Protomas Ludwig (Avatar’s name). It was On Wednesday at 2:00 a.m. It was about building boxes. There were four participants who stayed till the end of the workshop. I was teleported by my colleague to the workshop.

This is the second workshop:

The following is my evaluation of both workshops

Workshop design: planning, and preparation

Features	First workshop by Melann	Second workshop by Promotas
1. Special design and lay out	Free form	Addressing pragmatics of SL environment
3. Organization of instructions and discourse		Prepared
4. Physical organization of learning
5. Business model	free	By donation
6. Maturity level	Recurrent items	Recurrent items
Comments about planning and preparation: At the beginning, it was always frustrating to get involved in doing the workshop. By the course of time, the procedure became obvious and easy to implement the activities and the tasks that the presenter would suggest. My recurrent problem has always been the connection of the internets, which is slow from time to time. I had to log off many times. I have learned all the details in the first workshop since I kept asking Melanie all the childish questions that came to my mind. These questions were enthusiastically answered. Melanie was so patient and understood the needs of a newbie. Therefore, in the second workshop, I was aware of the structure and the context delivery, despite the bad connection I had. It took almost two hours to accomplish the whole workshop. There was a follow up; Melanie asked whether I had any questions that I was interested to know. In fact, I completely understand all the details. However, I should have asked Melanie a question.

Workshop implementation: delivery of instruction

Features	First workshop	second workshop
1. Assessment of prior/required knowledge	Informal assessment
2. Pre-prepared activities to meet the knowledge requirements	Directed (individual group activities
3. Prior knowledge	On demand
4. Preparation of user interface and viewing controls	No instruction
5. Technical preparation of participants	Registering in doodle before the workshop took place	Teleported by a colleague of mine to attend
6. Conversation flow	Ordered and controlled progressively by behavioral rules, interaction policies….
7. Communication dynamics	Tutor learner	Tutor learner
8. Movement of learners and teachers	free	Constrained sit
9. Presentation of outputs and results	Illustrated at varying of stages of development	Presented in a strategic place
10. Delivery of learning and material	Progressive	At the beginning using automated tools and scripts
11. Use of tools to deliver content instruction	Basic SL chat tools
12. Use of media to enhance teaching	Basic use of SL text chat and sense of virtual embodiment
13. Concurrent learner activity	Activities exclusively centered within the 3D world
14. Personalization of learning	Adaptive pathways
15. Pedagogical approach	Directive/ focus on rules and procedures	Process oriented
Comments about planning and preparation: · It could have been better if the evaluation format is provided via on line. Learners can just click on the different options, according to the learners’ outcome. Teachers could provide a survey at the end of the workshop. This would supply remarks for future improvement of workshops. However, a hard copy offers more time, space for the participants to write a constructive evaluation · A copy of the chat is of paramount importance. Through it, one can review any missing step or information. In addition, the record of links /URLs might be exchanged among the participants.

Implementation of the workshop: follow and evaluation

Features	First workshop	second workshop
Provision of guidance, suspense and feedback	On demand via main communication channel or back channel	On demand via main communication channel or back channel
Monitoring of student progress	Structured monitoring	Structured monitoring
Quality of feedback	Formative	Formative
Comments about follow and evaluation: Assessment is achieved at the end of the workshop. It is a building process. Success can be noticed once the building is over. In addition, the participants can cascade and teach other participants.

Implementation of the workshop: recall and transfer of learning

Features	First workshop	second workshop
Recapitulation	Systematic
After session resources	Access to social networks	Snowman building
After session activities	Individual activities
Comments about recall and transfer of learning: I will have my own workshop. I do not know whether there will be anyone to attend.

Workshops

2009-02-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody,
It has been sometimes that I have not written in my blog. i have been lurking in second life.

Finally, I have attented two workshops. It was last Tuesday

At the beginning, it was always frustrating to get involved in doing the workshop. By the course of time, the procedure became obvious and easy to implement the activities and the tasks that the presenter would suggest.

My recurrent problem has always been the connection of the internets, which is slow from time to time. I had to log off many times.

I have learned all the details in the first workshop since I kept asking Melanie all the childish questions that came to my mind. These questions were enthusiastically answered. Melanie was so patient and understood the needs of a newbie. Therefore, in the second workshop, I was aware of the structure and the context delivery, despite the bad connection I had. It took almost two hours to accomplish the whole workshop. There was a follow up; Melanie asked whether I had any questions that I was interested to know. In fact, I completely understand all the details. However, I should have asked Melanie a question.

Workshop design: planning, and preparation

Features	First workshop	First workshop
Special design and lay out	Free form	Addressing pragmatics of SL environment
Instructional design	Semi- structured	structured
Organization of instructions and discourse
Physical organization of learning
Business model	free	By donation
Maturity level	Recurrent items	Recurrent items

First workshop

free form

- semi structured

addressing pragmatics of SL environment
the instrucstructured

Collaborating for travel guide

2009-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is a great collaboration. It was through various means: skppe, face-to-face, landline phone, mobile, yahoo that this great work has been achieved. There has been a strong desire to realize this activity. Mr. Mernaoui was one of the people who do great effort in this activity. I was in a total stress owing to many incidences, among which my promotion issue and second is having a family member who had to be operated in the hospital. Moreover, there has been a tough pressure of the first term continuous assessment. There has been a pile of papers to be graded.

It has been demanding, especially, I personally felt discouraged by the slow activity assigned in the course. I was actively participating in all forums. I hope that I have regained my enthusiasm. There are new activities and module 2 was already set.

learning and teaching sites

2009-01-08T04:31:00.001-08:00

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Activity 4 section 3 Module 1: collaboration

2008-12-25T04:54:00.000-08:00

First there was no constructive collaboration in group 2, subgroup Red. The objectives were not clear as there was no general meeting to decide about them and have tasks to be done. They were are motivated, but none of us took the initiative to be decisive. There were several individual attempts to unit the sub-group, which were all doomed to failure. Alex initiated the page in the Pbwiki, but only three people used it Alex, Andrea and me. Later, I send a message to the participants, but again, Alex responded by writing a useful message suggesting to meet in SL. However, our meeting was not successful as far as the projects was concerned; we only dealt with creating a box, changing it and take to be put it our inventory.

The problem we had was not being successful to have a general meeting and set the tasks. I am sure that everyone was working their own to accomplish the activities. I hope that we will be do well in time as there is more than enough time to have a rewarding collaboration

Fashion shows G3

2008-12-15T23:38:00.000-08:00

I was early to book a plae. But, it was in the morning. Later, I attended in the evening

Everybody was chatting and enjoying themselves
The fashion shows ended by a collective dance.

Missing SL activities

2008-12-15T23:28:00.000-08:00

This post was written while I was on holidays. Unfortunately, I could not post it because I used my laptop and took to the cyber café, but I could not open the word format.

It has been five days I have not logged or checked my e-mails as it was difficult for me to connect. I have been visiting the family during the festivities of the slaughtering feast. I have seen all my family members, including my parents. It was a great event for all Muslims to be together with their families. It is also time to welcome those people coming from their wholly journey from Makah. It is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is to perform the pilgrimage for those who are able to afford the cost of the trip. My journey was almost six hours driving. It was wonderful that all the family was in good health.

I am not back to where I live. The family does not have the internet connection, despite having the landline phone. Therefore, I have to go to a cybercafé. The problem is that. It is not possible to open second life to attend the show. Luckily, I attended fashion-show of group three, last Sunday. It was amazing. There were a lot of colorful garments. Though, my computer crashed several times, but I attended most of the event that took place, among the collective dance of the avatars. Though authentic dance is that of real life as Margarita said when she when she was disconnecting from the event.

Reactions to Evelyn Izquierdo' s post

2008-12-06T04:35:00.000-08:00

You have stressed the fact that a SL situation a teacher should be highly trained on technology and should be able to deliver instruction adequately. Also, in RL situation, a teacher should be well -prepared and ready to improvise in case of not bringing the classroom notes or resort to plan “B” to keep students focused and achieves the objectives of the lesson. Therefore, other elements are called upon, especially the classroom management for RL classroom.

If I the teachers are wearing something culturally different, they would a deviation from the course aim, if the new look is not planned to trigger or introduce a topic, then the students will loose track and they would be diverted. A teacher should be aware of how to get dressed and how to motivate the students.

Your professional avatar is great? But why are you so short and wearing just black clothes? What are the objectives that you are trying to communicate?
It is a new look, but do not you think that you are frightening your students?

Reference:
Evelyn Izquierdo

http://www.muvenation.org/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=965#p3695

Changing Sami to become myself

2008-12-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Changing my avatar took a considerable time. In the beginning I was wondering how successful I would be to modify it and where can I find all the tools and what are the techniques and procedures to take. I hesitated a lot at the beginning to do that. What made the matter worse was that I did not have enough time to devote to that task last week because my toothache and the loads of continuous assessment papers I have to correct. I was confused even about the exact tasks that I had to perform, till I decided to print all the tasks and read them carefully and be practical.

I have done different activities randomly as visiting many places SL and I would be chatting with the people I would come across. Unfortunately, it was hard for me to be on time for most of the meeting held in the muvenation virtual world. I would either working or when I connect I would discover that the meeting was over.

Once, I have tried to become myself, but I become as a blur, which I have noticed some people would be the same. Even last night, my interlocutor said to me that he could not see but a blur while I saw myself clearly. Still, I am wondering why we become like that. Is there any reason or specific manner that turns us one to be a blur?

Sometimes, I tried to chat with the people in SL, but in vain since the typing in the chat box does not come on time; and if ever it comes, it would be too late for to conduct an effective exchange. Therefore, I only disconnect.

I am also, asking if there any limitation to the volute of the “inventory” because I kept accepting everything I would be offered, including cards, items, land, money….

Throughout changing my avatar, I have learned the process and the steps that I have to follow. It can be used in teaching when giving instruction or direction to students to carry out a particular task. There is a raise of recurrent social ties that grow in this virtual word.

Changing my avatar reminds me of how careful I would be when going to class, an outing, visiting somebody or attending a formal or informal meeting. A have a proverb which says “Eat whatever you like, but put on the things that people would accept”.

It is a show off skill. I have to show that I am learning and I am confirming with the whole folk. I am carrying out instructions.

Using the inventory

2008-12-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

The old sami in the inventory

This is a second change saving when I want to have a famous person.

BEING A WORIOR

2008-12-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is an outfit I got for free while shopping

I tried a tail and heavy load on my shoulder, which I got rid of. But, a message from SL was sent to me telling me that an object was returned to my inventory. I did not lke wearing these garments. They make me a starnger. I do want to hide my identity. I want to be the way I am.

I was a warior. I had to change everything. I want to become myself. I saved this as I did for the old sami so as I can use it in the muvenation show or going back to my infancy (My second life born body).

Becoming yourself

2008-12-02T16:38:00.000-08:00

This is real life. it was in Washingtong in May 2008
This is the beginning of Second life
Trying to be myself! Needs more skills

It has been a while I have not communicated with my blog owing to a terrible toothache preventing me from concentrating and reflecting about my colleagues posts.
Finally I succeeded in learning many things. Thought, I have already exploring these activities from the very beginning of the course.
It is demanding when you struggle giving final touch to your avatar and loving it. I was trying to become myself in changing all the features of my avatar. The more time I spend with alter ego, the more care and love I like it.
I consider it my real identity in real life. It is my thoughts, dreams, words and gestures. There would be a great identification by the course of time and the more I will learn, the more skillful touch I will add to look real.

2008-11-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

I enjoy the thoughts in the thread conversation that is launched by David, rising with whom we are conversing in the virtual word. I would say the building of trust id already established by the muvenation community. Once, you are in SL, you feel a friendly atmosphere. You feel that you are there to learn or cascade the knowledge. You feel that you do not want to quit or leave while the other person is need of comfort or assistance. Personally, I felt that they are high skilled, motivated and outstanding teachers willing to sacrifice their time, effort and money for the sake of learning and teaching. Therefore, we do trust our community to be engaged in this professional development.
Socializing is another key factor in this second life. Second life, particularly muvenation land is not populated. We need somebody to keep company, if there is no activity that should be done. At the beginning, I was reluctant to speak to some avatars in SL because of their appearance, but once I associate their avatar with I would be the one who initiate the conversation. Even, all the participants have a tag that adds distinctive features, sometimes. Our common interest is encouraging guidance to further continue the process of education.

I like the way Nergiz has voiced her opinion stressing the kind of students we are dealing with. Only two students needed their real names to be printed in the certificate while they other are not interested because they were, may be, involved in learning skills for their own use and not for other organizations.

David also raised the issue of assessment in the virtual world. I think using avatar would help teachers give reasonable feedback not based on the real persona’s acquaintance, but it would be on the contributions and effective presentations by the alter ego. Again, the learning styles differ from person to another. Here, the issue raised how much academic or non-academic involvement should be associated to promote individuals?

Step farther!

2008-11-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

It was a wonderful memory to recall back when I submitted my subscription through an email. I was informed through the Web-head 2002 forum to which I subscribed a couple of years ago. I was trilled to get back a confirmation email from Margarita saying that there will be a selection of participants and that they would include non-European participants.

From the first day, I received the email I tried hard to explore Second life and click on everything that I can see on the screen. I could not remember how many times my computer crashed. However, I decided never to quit walking around.

I have visited several landmarks using search tool. Sometimes, it would be a welcoming place where feel at ease chatting and benefiting from the people around, but from time to time they would be inhospitable as they are not educator landmarks.
I also tried to see tutorial video from You-tube or use the given links in the forums.

Now, my questions so far how can I make use of Second life tool to enhance learning and coax my students to be more involved? What action should do to have a multiply effect on my colleagues and the educational environment I am surrounded by?

How can I promote positive aspects of learning among reluctant students and teachers who are lagging behind refusing any innovation changes regardless its benefits?

2008-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

It was a slow beginning in exploring Second life. There was an unpleasant fright that I experience at the beginning. I was afraid to move or make a slight mistake. I was scared to get drown in the ocean. I felt a terrible panic inside when I was in the open desert surrounded by sand and few trees.

It was little by little I was introduced to the second life. Nergiz tried to coax me in this adventure. But I was afraid to start. She gave me friendship; she suggested the Casablanca which I hesitated to discover because of my ignorance. Sometimes, I would log in, and then log out immediately for a fair to get lost. I would report to my family I was lost in an ocean of Sahara. I was afraid to die in the second life.

I had to adjust my desk computer and laptop for second life, using the “Dxdiag” method. I formatted my desk computer to provide more space for second life. I had to make sure that my graphic card suits effectively this new tool. Also, I doubled the debit of internet connection.

At the beginning, I would ask my friend, Nowhereman, about SL. I would say it is second language. As days passed by, I discovered the real meaning of this virtual environment when I figure out it is used for teaching and creating an alter ego. It is a sort of psychological relief. You have the right to choose even your name to belong to a biog family. You can choose your garments, skin, color…

My smooth introduction was done first by Bon Bon and second by Viki who taught me a lot of things such as editing my appearance, moving, using my inventory, and editing my navigation bar. Since the, I have visited many places as New York, Turkey, second life sites….I have taken many pictures and changed my avatar…
I hope I have completed all my assignments.

Wow, I cannot quit anymore

2008-11-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

Meeting Bombon Breavehearth

2008-11-10T16:07:00.000-08:00

It has been a great night as I have learned a lot today from Bonbon Breavehearth. She was really helpful to show me how to change my appearance. She gave a lot things, including shoes, jackets, and socks… I had only one shoe on before I had met her in SL. Now, I am wearing a good sport shoes. Also I have changed my jacket. My daughter was setting besides me laughing about having only one shoe. But, later, she was surprised seeing me wear those sneakers.
We had a good chat. However, I could not continue using the audio

I am sure that I will learn as quick as possible. I do not know if there are any hat?

I can see only an open space. There are no building and siteseeing in the munenation. Is that our projects.

At least we are learning step by step. There will be a differentce...

time to sleep, bye.

Forwards/Backwards

2008-11-10T11:28:00.001-08:00

I do not know whether they are steps forwards or backwards. I was completely lost in vast land surrounded by the sea, mountainous area and some green spaces. I tried to get help from whoever I come across; unfortunately none seemed to be able to help or give me direction.
I have learned how to fly, to walk, run. Whenever, I felt hopeless, I would sit down or my computer would crash because of the many clicks I would do.
I have learned how to open a local shut, make search and use the camera

Nevertheless, I do not know what tasks I have accomplish while navigating this tool. I know I could chat using audio, video or writing format to communicate with other people.

Further steps in Second life 1

2008-11-10T11:11:00.001-08:00

Thursday 6th November

2008-11-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

It was a national holiday. I devoted the whole day to explore boot my knowledge. I read and reread all the emails related to this course, especially I opted to receive digest one, which I did not like. I prefer to receive emails the moment it is written. I went through the activities step by step. I do not want to be left behind. I watch some tutorial vides and learnt how to discover second life including: Moving & flying, looking around with camera controls, Chatting, Creating and joining a group, Friendships, and Searching.
I updated some accounts such as Twitter: http://twitter.com/samiz; Flicker and delicious: zouitabdu200. Also I created netvibes account:
http://www.netvibes.com/muvenation#General

I have asked permission to get to the flicker group. Also, I have offered help with the PBwiki tool.

It was amazing watching the Second life tutorials. They have made my task very easy to explore and know about the basics of this prodigious tool. It is certainly the most developed means of virtual world which makes easy and handle the teaching and learning of students. Second life is a resource that engages students to learn more because they are fully involved in the process of learning. Think over the following Chinese proverb:
“Tell me I forget, write to me, I will remember, and involve me, I will learn”

First hours: Second life

2008-11-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

I was first introduced to second life by Nergiz through her inspiring questions and the offer she provided me with. The first time, I was puzzled when I succeeded to get inside second life, I immediately noticed a chat box, then I begun to write “finally, I made it”. But the window crashed. I could not open the window that day for fear I will lose all my data. I read all the frequent asked questions to discover how to deal with this new tool and know

Another night, I returned from a short visit to my parents-in-law intending to sleep as I was supposed to go to work in the morning. However, I opened Second life to find other people chatting, flying, walking and singing… Luckily, there was someone who suggested helping me. (Sorry) I could not remember the name. There were other avatar chatting. I tried to chat with them, but standing confused not knowing what to do. What was astonishing was most of the people in the room could not do anything or endeavor to put forward any idea to move forward. I was asked whether I was an educator, where I was from and about objectives of using second life. I felt that I was making fun of myself, thus I quitted my navigation.

Diagnostic test

2008-10-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

A. I am your friend. I don’t work in education. You are talking to me about the idea that we all learn from each other, in all kinds of contexts, and that this can often be richer than more formal classroom based learning. I am sceptical. Tell me about an informal learning experience you have had online in which collaboration was involved, show me a concrete example to help me to see what you mean.

It went back to 2005 when I had my first course online with Oregon University. We used the blackboard as a discussion forum online. My grade was “A”. I had 123/130 marks for all my contributions. The theme was about the implementation of critical thinking in our classroom. There was a group of 20 international participants who engaged a wonderful opportunity and a marvelous course on line. I was really thankful to those people who value knowledge. The latter is an endless process. The more you acquire the more you feel that you know nothing in this huge bulk infinity of information.

It was truly professional development. It took the normal and the sufficient time to review all teaching and instructional materials. I am, now, more confident in indulging and taking risks in public discussions in this issue of critical thinking skills and strategies.

It was an invitation to share this effort with the rest of colleagues and inspire others. The world is changing let’s be one of the tiles that contribute to the perfection of this change. If we do not try, we will be left behind.

Since then, I have introduced technology in my classroom using Yahoo-groups to make better my student performance and achievements. Not only the students were amazed, but also their parents and administration were thrilled by the school results and the etiquettes the students have learnt in their commitment in to contribute and submit their assignments online.

B. We all explore new technologies, some grab our attention more than others, some seem revolutionary, others simply bore us. Tell us about that new tool, or set of tools, you have just discovered that really excites you, talk about the potential it has to change your work. What do you want to do with it?

It is nice to talk about the PBwiki experience this year and the amount of knowledge and expertise I have become learned. The PBwiki team was patient and care to share. Now, I am persuading my colleagues and inviting my students to have their own PBwiki. I am planning to have a common PBwiki for every class as a platform. I participated in the competition of back to school challenge

http://www.backtoschoolchallenge.com/

This morning, I am the second one in the leader board out of 6264 participants. I have 1465 points. This PBwiki experience open me many doors to enhance my technology skills and train other teachers to be acquainted with the use of technology. My students will be the first to benefit from what I have learnt.

C. Do you see yourself as a pioneer? Do you think you are more innovative than others in your organisation? Do you think your organisation is lagging behind? Tell us how you feel about this?

I would say I am among the pioneer in my area. I have contributed a lot. I was the one who set an English regional resource center and keep maintaining and encouraging more students and teachers to join for the sake of knowledge and experience. Also, I was behind the idea of setting a local branch of the Moroccan Association of teachers of English http://www.mate.org.ma/. This association was behind the enrichment of my professional development. What’s more is the experience in Kent State University in Ohio where I learned better through designing instruction course and technology class and through participation in the ongoing seminars and conferences.

Introducing

2008-10-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
It is a great pleasure for me to be selected in this course online. I will do my best to contribute and boost my learning and teaching skills.
Actually, I am an ESL teacher for more than fourteen years. I am an active member of the Moroccan Association of teachers of English. http://www.mate.org.ma/

My students’ age is between 15 and 18. It means K10 to K12. I have published three books, which are supplementary materials for my students. I would say I live in my emails.
I would like to learn more about technology and improve my teaching methods throughout a worldly collaboration with the participants in Muvenation.
I hope to be selected among those who will make it to the end.

Abdesalam.