| Eventedness |
Taking part of a teaching session in an MUVE is more than simply using a tool or achieving a task, it feels like an event, a particular moment in time when you have the chance to interact with others at a level of intensity which is rarely felt in other online spaces. A teaching session in an MUVE can become a focal event for a significant slice of teaching. A learning design can be created which leads up to and then away from an MUVE session. Much like a traditional field-trip, the teaching can frame the time that students spend out in the field or in this case the MUVE and work generated during that time can be considered upon their return. The ‘otherness’ of the alternative environment can act as a mirror for the students, helping then to reflect on their practice as they see how it is influenced by the virtual world.
|
Dave W., blogpost, Nov 27th 08 |
| Philosophy, identity and a small blue dragon… |
[7:04] Marianne Thespian: We'll start with Oswy...
[7:05] Torwalker Sack: wake up oswy [7:05] Marianne Thespian: Oswy? [7:05] Oswy Gothly: Well I,m having a problem with the idea that my identity is just my body seeing as I am now a small blue dragon. I must be me inside the dragon dont you think? [7:06] Marianne Thespian: Must he be himself inside his blue dragon? [7:06] Cade Halster: Surely the dragon is inside him [7:06] Torwalker Sack: isn't the dragon a form of projection of himself? or a puppet [7:07] Sojourna Alexandre: Who is he though? Don't we need to know that before we can place inside a dragon? |
|
| Feedback from philosophy tutor |
What do you feel you learnt during the pilot?
That Second Life could be a very useful addition to our pedagogic toolkit. I especially think it would be good for a sort of common room, because it can generate a real feeling of intimacy. I also found that the second life experience generated a lot of philosophical questions itself such as is my avatar me? |
Philosophy tutor |
| Challenges of communication |
Beyond the basic mechanics of flying in and sitting down the most challenging thing is the speed of the debate. You have to type your responses and try and follow what others are typing. When a large number of people are responding the small window screen can fill up quickly. This can make it very hectic in terms of following the line of the discussion and to see when it has changed or moved on. There are less visual clues compared to a real seminar the only clue you have is to see the gesture of typing by an Avatar and the sound of the typing. This alerts you to the fact that someone is about to respond. So you have to learn to be patient and the discussions have to be structured, especially if there is a finite amount of time available.
|
Philosophy student |
| More use of gestures |
[7:46] Oswy Gothly: The group then split into those who thought knowledge was provisional and subject to context and others who rejected scepticism for a McDowell like argument against any gap between mind and the world and what we can know.
[7:46] Marianne Thespian: I am not sure I understand exactly what these positions are...? [7:46] Shak Maroon: Same here! [7:46] Oswy Gothly: So the debate becomes one about scepticism . Which I reject [7:46] Gesture: Oswy Gothly is thinking. [7:46] Gesture: Oswy Gothly has got it! [7:47] Gesture: Oswy Gothly claps. [7:47] Marya Blaisdale: We did not have time to explore this mind/world thing and for the record, I would like to say I do not believe there is any mind/world gap, Oswy :D |
|
| Philosophical indecision… |
[7:20] Marianne Thespian: You should start the discussion: are you clear on what you are supposed to be doing?
[7:21] Cade Halster: Yes [7:21] Shak Maroon: Nope. [7:21] Wichard Wisent: I believe so |
Plant room chat log |
| Student feedback |
I gained a good introduction to the topic discussed, just as I would in a real-life tutorial situation. (I also confirmed my need to such discussions and being in Spain and not speaking the language, this is a very good option. Maria mentioned the same thing - she lives in France and doesn't speak French so cannot participate in local philo meets. This might be the case for many online students.)
|
Philosophy student |
| Reflection on Second Life |
[4:44] Kez Turbo: i didnt thinkm second like wud be as like deep as it is
|
|
| Space to meet |
As far as the SL environment is concerned, I really feel that for students, like me, studying online, having a "space" to meet "in" is really important, because one thing we miss is the "face-to-face" dynamic of doing philosophy. The best thing we can hope for then is a virtual space in which to prance around like philosophers...
|
Philosophy student |
| Second Life speed and brain speed |
Last week’s SL experience was no slower than my thinking processes!
|
philosophy student |
| Second Life a Strange New World… |
I'm surprised you can build anything and do anything in it, really. I think that's what surprised me. But also I think it’s a bit weird, like everyone is actually a person as well. Like I avoid talking to people because I always forget they're actually really people. I just think it’s a bit weird. I don’t know why. I think I'm always scared I'm going to get into a really bad conversation and then I feel, even though I know I can get away, I feel I'm being rude, just walking away. I feel like, as if you were talking to somebody, you wouldn’t just walk away, well, I'd try not to walk away from them and be rude.
|
Art & Design student |
| Second Life needs Moodle |
I really struggle with the SL environment. Age-related intuit-paralysis, maybe. But could the chance to reflect in Moodle before the live session take some of the pressure off? Anyway, I can see big potential in this idea, and I'm really glad to be here.
|
Philosophy student |
| Communication in SL |
I found it difficult to follow the conversations. Normally people know when someone else is talking and, by sound and position of the voice, who is speaking. The conversations became interlaced and it was easy to end up trying to follow and respond to two threads at once.
I would maximise the possibilities of one-to-one interaction and minimise group activity unless the group could have a very strict leader to ensure we focus on one topic at a time. |
Philosophy student |
| Philosophy tutor learning to manage group discussions |
[7:03] Marianne Thespian: Right everyone. Time to get started. If you haven't done already, please ook at the board, answer the question, and hold it ready to hit enter when I ak for your response.
[7:03] Marianne Thespian: Thank you Kimm! [7:04] Marianne Thespian: When you're ready get your avatar t stand up so I know. [7:04] You: Press down alt and the left hand mouse button to move you camera [7:04] You: if you can't see the question [7:05] Marianne Thespian: Well done Cade, keep waiting until we're all ready hurry up you lot! [7:05] Oswy Gothly accepted your inventory offer. [7:05] Marianne Thespian: Great, Marya! [7:06] Marianne Thespian: This is not the time to write a thesis everyone! [7:06] Marya Blaisdale: lol [7:06] Torwalker Sack: no - if it's numerical identity i'm still sitting at home so avatar can't be numerically identical to me [7:06] Oswy Gothly: My first reaction was to say No how could I possibly be numerically identical with an Avatar. On reflection well a short reflection I think I am going to say yes but with qualification. Last time I was trying to make the point that Personal Identity (PI) was to do with a complex of mental features such as memory etc. But he complex had to be embodied in something material, a body, a brain etc. Since I dont believe in souls or ghosts I dont see PI which by the way seems to me to be the same sort of thing as consciousness, as being capaqble of free floating. So if the mentl thing that is me is here typing and the projection of some of me is Oswy Gothly, I can hardly believe i am saying this, then in some sense the pixels on the screen embody me. So to that limited sense I am my Avatar. [7:06] Marianne Thespian: Torwalker, I hadn't asked you for your answer yet. If you have finished, hold it ready to hit enter' and stand up! [7:06] Marianne Thespian: Dtto oswy - everyone ignore them until we're ready! [7:06] Torwalker Sack: whoops - your chat seemed to suggest you were waiting sorry [7:08] Marianne Thespian: If you have finished and you are ready to hit 'enter' with your answer, then stand up so I can see you're ready. [7:08] Marianne Thespian: Brilliant you are all finishd! [7:08] Marianne Thespian: OK, now hit enter, read throug everyone's answers and choose one person to whom to make a response. then make your response with that person's name at the begining |
|
| Communication in SL |
[4:28] Cubist Scarborough: As english is your second language, has it been easier in SL than RL to communicate?
[4:28] Nondescript String: It's a bit easier yes. [4:28] ImmortalitySou Ballinger is Online [4:28] Nondescript String: I have more time to formulate what I'm going to say [4:29] Cubist Scarborough: Does that give you more confidence? [4:29] Wawrick Donat is Offline [4:29] Wawrick Donat is Online [4:29] Kez Turbo: /transf [4:29] Kez Turbo: sorry [4:29] Nondescript String: Interacting with avatars and not a real person does give me more confidence i suppose, yes. [4:30] Cubist Scarborough: Good. Very interesting. [4:30] Cubist Scarborough: I think that the effort that oyu have put into this project is worth noting [4:30] Nondescript String: But I still like face to face better |
|
| Philosophical chaos!!! |
[7:07] Wawrick Donat: Are people getting the note cards from the boxes ok?
[7:07] Marya Blaisdale: yep, got all the notes [7:07] Marianne Thespian: How about people other than Marya?! [7:07] Tor Szczepanski: Yes me too, but I can't get the mouse to work [7:07] Shak Maroon: Yes, got them now. [7:08] Wawrick Donat: You should get 'general problems' / 'the Gettier problem' and a couple of responses [7:09] Elfed Helendale: yes thanks I’ve got the cards/notes [7:10] Marianne Thespian: The groups are: [7:10] Marianne Thespian: Owl room: Marya, Graeme, Tor, Wichard and Oswy [7:11] Tor Szczepanski: I seem to be in a loop, everything is flashing and I'm getting sea sick! [7:11] Marya Blaisdale: press ESCAPE a couple of times Tor [7:11] Marianne Thespian: Plant room: Shak, Cade, Sojourna, Telbak and Elfed [7:12] Marianne Thespian: Time to go off into your groups everyone! [7:12] Elfed Helendale: I've lost a piece of my spacesuit [7:12] Elfed Helendale: where is the plant room? [7:12] Marya Blaisdale: it's behind Wawrick, Elfed [7:12] Cade Halster: Which rooms which? [7:12] Marianne Thespian: You've left it behind Elfed! [7:12] Marya Blaisdale: Marianne, Sojourna and Telbak aren't here [7:13] Elfed Helendale: I'll have to find the bit of spacesuit later [7:13] Marianne Thespian: In that case Would Wichard go with Shak and Cade please [7:14] Wichard Wisent: Where? [7:14] Elfed Helendale: ah - got it! [7:14] Marya Blaisdale: this way Wichard |
|
| Comment on SL/Moodle comparison |
The Moodle forums gave time for posts to be composed with care, and even edited after posting. I'm happy that my Moodle posts generally gave a fair representation of my thoughts at the time of writing. SL didn't do that. Also, SL didn't provide an opportunity for anyone to hold the floor, to request attention from all the others to what was being said by the one participant, as would be the case in a real seminar. Maybe a 'conch' icon or an appointed chair person would address this problem.
|
Philosophy student |
| Good experiences with SL |
[5:18] Paz Lorenz: What was great?
[5:19] Nondescript String: Ease of creation [5:19] Laurelle Lemon: Flying! [5:19] Kez Turbo: AVATARS :') [5:19] Dizzee Jigsaw: waking up 1 minute before lecture [5:19] Laurelle Lemon: I agree [5:19] Kez Turbo: proper loved th costumes you could get [5:19] Axy Magic: flying, looking at things from another point of view :) free clothes ha [5:19] Ayesha Franizzi: meeting people and chatting [5:19] Laurelle Lemon: free hairstyles [5:19] Laurelle Lemon: dress ups fun [5:19] Tej Ametza: being able to explore a new world trieing something different [5:19] emz Diesel: the social part of it - working as a team and learning to communicate in the virtual world, it was a different experince discussing an showing ideas in world |
|
| Multi-chatting |
The real pain is the difficulty with following the threads as they develop. There are normally at least two conversations going on at once and sometimes three. This would be totally unacceptable in a seminar/tutorial. Against that is the feeling of immediacy and, as posted elsewhere, that of immersion. This was particularly good with speech bubbles switched on. I don't get that with Moodle, where we seem to just have structured emailing.
|
Philosophy student |
| Real-world / in-world transferral of etiquette |
As the students arrived there was chat about appearance etc. One of the students shared some revealing clothes with Marianne who became a little uncomfortable when she tried on a top with a plunging neckline more suited to the oldest profession in the world rather than a philosophy tutor. This did help to break the ice though as did each time a student arrived and sat down facing away from the group by accident.
|
David White |
| comments on time needed to learn how to operate in Second Life |
I think the pilot as a pilot was very well done. In terms of future similar meetings, I still wouldn't change much. Only that users/students should need to become sufficient users of the environment so that it is the topic itself that becomes the prime challenge and interest, rather than working out how to use the environment. But this easy to do, it just requires a greater time commitment to learn how to function well in Second Life (making notes, objects, using the inventory to find things, and learning how to give things/notes to others). Whereas Moodle, of course, requires no time at all for an average internet user to learn to navigate.
|
Philosophy student |
| People having fun! |
[6:52] Marianne Thespian: I am going for a fly
[6:53] Daveo Lorber: Always good when the tutor flys off [6:53] Marya Blaisdale: lol [6:54] Cade Halster: I think Daveo's going to chnage into a woman again |
|
| Real-life / SL identity |
Another difficult aspect of SL was identity. I knew some of the participants from Moodle, but I quickly lost track of their real identities, which lost me the opportunity to judge their contributions in the light of my memory of their past positions. I'd much prefer a system in which identities were not disguised.
|
Philosophy student |
| Philosophical discussion which is clearly enhanced by the use of SL |
[7:06] Oswy Gothly: My first reaction was to say No how could I possibly be numerically identical with an Avatar. On reflection well a short reflection I think I am going to say yes but with qualification. Last time I was trying to make the point that Personal Identity (PI) was to do with a complex of mental features such as memory etc. But he complex had to be embodied in something material, a body, a brain etc. Since I dont believe in souls or ghosts I dont see PI which by the way seems to me to be the same sort of thing as consciousness, as being capaqble of free floating. So if the mentl thing that is me is here typing and the projection of some of me is Oswy Gothly, I can hardly believe i am saying this, then in some sense the pixels on the screen embody me. So to that limited sense I am my Avatar.
|
|
| Why use Second Life at all? |
But I come back to my first point, why is SL superior to Moodle apart from the gimmicks? You need to focus on this and exploit them. The only thing I have seen so far is handouts but they can be done by email or download.
|
philosophy student |
| Profound reflection |
[6:17] You: Thanks, any other toughts? |
|
| OpenSim and Second Life |
I think that OpenSim standalone is just right for teaching building skills in a real life blended learning situation (Ian & Graham tutors), and Second Life is best done at a distance (Cubist and Kisa mentors). (Ian T blogpost, 27/08/08)
Peer support and constructivist learning |
|
| Absence of body language |
[7:17] Marianne Thespian: Torwaker are you OK?
[7:17] Marya Blaisdale: they are all aspects of a bigger whole, not one of them individually can be said to be 'me' [7:18] Torwalker Sack: yes i'm thinking [7:18] Marianne Thespian: That's a good thing for a philosopher to do... [7:18] Torwalker Sack: !! trying to work out what is'me' |
|
| Student feedback |
I learnt that Second LIfe is full of potential, and that a good way in is to be part of a group you already know in some way. I realised I would like to study more philosophy - going to the discussion reminded me how challenging and enjoyable it is to work with Marianne and be in a group. I learnt more about ways of looking at issues around identity and second life. I learnt to a limited extent how to operate an avatar and how to begin to explore the environment.
|
Philosophy student |
| Real-world in-world confusion |
[6:44] Marianne Thespian: Isn't it interesting - I am embarrassed by the clothes of my avatar! Who asm i me or my avatar?
|
|
| Teaching, learning and technology |
Occasionally Marianne would shout at the screen. This was not because of a technical issue but because of a reaction to the philosophical comments being made. I took this as a good sign that the technology was not getting in the way of the subject.
|
David White |
| Use of gestures and conversation with a small blue dragon (Oswy) |
[7:22] Oswy Gothly: I have quite forgotten what we are supposed to do?
[7:22] Marya Blaisdale: yep, we're okay :) [7:22] Wawrick Donat: respond to the Gettier thingy [7:22] Marya Blaisdale: In break-out groups people should try to diagnose the Gettier problem (what is Gettier actually saying about the classical account of knowledge as justified true belief?), and see if they can suggest a solution. [7:22] Oswy Gothly: Ok [7:22] Gesture: Oswy Gothly nods his/her head. [7:22] Gesture: Marya Blaisdale claps. [7:23] Tor Szczepanski: There can be justified true beliefs that do not amount to knowledge [7:23] Wawrick Donat: At 3.35 come back to the main room with a response [7:23] Marya Blaisdale: got it [7:23] Tor Szczepanski: OK |
|
| Dangers of Second Life. |
[3:16] Kez Turbo: urmm idk tbh, coz of some stuff i saw i was abit scared haha
[3:16] Cubist Scarborough: Yeh, sharing the experience [3:16] Cubist Scarborough: Scared by the mainland? [3:16] Kez Turbo: urmm [3:16] Kez Turbo: some of the other aspects of second life [3:16] Cubist Scarborough: Of particular bits of SL [3:16] Kez Turbo: like th adult side [3:16] Cubist Scarborough: Naughty bits [3:16] Kez Turbo: accidentally stumbling into it [3:17] Dizzee Jigsaw: the naughty naughty bits are weird [3:17] Cubist Scarborough: Yes. One of the problems of SL [3:17] Kez Turbo: yeah i was abit confused when i got into one [3:17] Kez Turbo: i thought itd be more avatars [3:17] Cubist Scarborough: All the good and bad and wierd and normal that you find in RL is in here somewhere |
|
| Student feedback |
Second Life is particularly useful in creating shared spaces where people feel more a part of the tutorial/discussion environment.
|
Philosophy student |
| Problems sitting down |
[7:02] Oswy Gothly: Greetings all once again hate these chairs
[7:02] Gesture: Oswy Gothly nods his/her head. [7:02] Marya Blaisdale: just stand in front of it Oswy and face it, then click on the seat area and choose SIT HERE [7:02] Marya Blaisdale: that will put you onto it properly |
|
| Mix of real world and in-world |
[2:59] Nondescript String: I like exploring :)
[2:59] Axy Magic: i don't, i went for a walk the other day and a 10 year old lit a firework and tried to throw it at me, i was so scared!! [2:59] Cubist Scarborough: Random events [2:59] Laurelle Lemon: yeah [2:59] Ayesha Franizzi: its good for the experience and fine ur self i think [2:59] Kez Turbo: hahahahaha [2:59] emz Diesel: :O [2:59] Cubist Scarborough: Exploring is good, [2:59] Laurelle Lemon: oh my [2:59] Kez Turbo: thts metntal [2:59] Poid Mahovlich is Online [2:59] Cubist Scarborough: but try and learn where not to go [3:00] Ayesha Franizzi: hahah yeah [3:00] Dizzee Jigsaw: o dear [3:00] Kez Turbo: dont go to armley i work there [3:00] Cubist Scarborough: and never go out alone, just in case |
|
| Sample philosophical discussion with tutor’s ‘aaargh! |
[7:30] Wichard Wisent: I don't see the need to "true" to have knowledge.
[7:30] Elfed Helendale: Thanks Wawrick. This just supports my earlier comment about justification needing to be contested. [7:31] Elfed Helendale: Wickard, I agree. The knowledge might be wrong though [7:31] Wichard Wisent: And in the mental operations finding "true" seems impossible. [7:31] Elfed Helendale: yes [7:31] Marianne Thespian: But why should you find 'true' Richard, we are doing metaphysics not epistemology [7:31] Wichard Wisent: So we're always in danger of being "wrong" but I'm OK with that [7:32] Elfed Helendale: So, we can never be certain we have true knowledge. The best we can do is hone our justification by contesting it [7:33] Wichard Wisent: I agree with you, Elfed [7:33] Shak Maroon: Elfed, I'm sure this is the wrong way to look at the question. It makes it harder! [7:33] Marianne Thespian: Aaargh! We are not talking about how we can KNOW we have knowledge, but what counts AS knowledge! |
|
| Philosophy group discussion, with confusion of real-life and SL names |
[7:23] Marianne Thespian: In break-out groups people should try to diagnose the Gettier problem (what is Gettier actually saying about the classical account of knowledge as justified true belief?), and see if they can suggest a solution.
[7:23] Elfed Helendale: I haven't [7:23] Elfed Helendale: Justification – I’m not sure about this. It seems to refer to a final state where we have perfect knowledge. In practice the gaining of knowledge is a process, and what we know at any one time is subject to change as our understanding increases. I wonder therefore whether ‘contested’ might be a better term to use – i.e. the justification needs to be continually contested to ensure knowledge. This also ties in with what Hugh said about justification being from different people’s perspectives. [7:24] Elfed Helendale: I mean Shak, not Hugh |
|
| Frustrations with SL |
[5:13] Paz Lorenz: what was the most frustrating experience over the past weeks here?
[5:13] Tej Ametza: building [5:13] Kez Turbo: today when everything was lagging [5:13] Laurelle Lemon: Getting to grasps with building making things look exactly how i want them to [5:13] Ayesha Franizzi: not know what i was doing [5:14] emz Diesel: getting building wokr accurate |
