Second Life Impressions

I spent a couple of hours in SL though most of the time I was playing with changing the image of my avatar. Actually, I am not quite satisfied with what I have got.
But this activity has an educational potential for a teacher of English as it covers a range of topics from clothes to appearance. A word or a word combination is accompanied by a picture illustrating the notion. For example, parts of body are given with descriptive words. So while creating an avatar a student will naturally memorise thematic vocabulary.
I went to Germany, and as far as I am learning German I found this environment very useful as there were a lot of texts around studying which I practiced reading comprehension. Munich is a city interesting as a country study object and this virtual visit improved my knowledge of the peculiarities of the city. Similary, if a student from an English language class will go to SL London he/she will learn a lot as it will be an interactive 3D picture. Setting tasks will make such a visit meaningful. From a point of view of a language teacher SL is a valuable teaching tool.
However, I felt a bit lonely. When I entered SL people were busy, and when I left for Munich I found myself absolutely alone there.
So my aim is to find a more crowded place to have some interactions and to observe what others are doing in SL.

Second Life Experience

I am in Germany, in Munich, trying to decide if I am able to learn to dance in Second Life by Thursday.

My home town

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Be in touch! Social Networking...

I have joined the group IFP 2007, which brings together Russian students who got Ford Foundation Scholarship in year 2007 and who are currently studying in the UK. So we have much to discuss.
I have participated in discussions devoted to academic issues, weather and future trip to London.
Sharing the news about student life in different parts of the UK reveals how different educational process is organised in British universities. For example, one of the girls has trimesters and since the very beginning she studies statistics, that their social life is represented by sport, and finally, that they have a different course management system. With another student we discussed language problems which we have studying in the university, he has admitted that his level of English has much improved after reading academic papers and writing assignments. However, another girl has not noticed much improvement because her language skilled were advanced before coming to study.
Also I got a chance to enjoy watching the first flowers in Soupthampton, I was surprised that being not so far this city already witnesses blossoms on the trees. One of the pictures touched me and I am posting it on the Blog.
Actually, Facebook is a great tool of colloboration. The discussion board is an exellent place for leaving suggestions and commenting on them if there is a need to plan anything. We are going to meet in London, so we share our ideas about where to stay, how to organise a networking event, how to make this meeeting memorable...

Be careful. Social Networking...

Cyberculture, cybercommunity - syberspace bears features of our reality, but altogether with all advantages it becomes dangerous for our well-being. I was surprised when discovered such a phenomenon as cyberbulling on the website YOODOO http://yoodoo.org.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27 This is a brief explanation of the causes and consequences of it. It seems to have become a global problem. For reference see Wikipedia
And of course, it is necessary to discuss it with students, so some advice how to avoid being affected by cyberbullying can be found at http://yp.direct.gov.uk/cyberbullying/

This is a very stumulating and motivating video for teachers who want to understand their students and be able to use technologies "Whatever, Whenever, Wherever (new WWW)".

4 February 2009

Here I emerge... bit by bit, feature by feature, post by post, picture by picture I build my virtual personality.

Hi, my name is Svetlana. I come from Russia where I worked as teacher of English for several years. Well, teaching and interacting with children became the thing I enjoy doing. Also I am interested in a cultural diversity as Russia is a country with a rich cultural background. And now I am here where people of different nationalities are brought together. I believe that everyone has a lot to share and everyone is eager to gain. Doing the unit "Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technologies" we can multiple our knowledge. I always remember the quote "Technologies can't replace teachers, but teachers who don't use technologies will replace those who don't".

In my home country I organised a club which name was "Open Windows", it had a double meaning and we used it as a title of the organisaion and as a motto. I believe that now everyone who participates in the course is opening a window to their experience.