Student Exchange, Without the Jet-Lag: Educational Collaboration in a Virtual World

Baedeker, R. (2007, March 21). Student exchange, without the jet-lag: educational collaboration in a virtual world. Eutopia, Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/student-exchange-without-jet-lag 

Summary:  
The students at Turlock High School in California's Central Valley get a chance to explore and interact that is out of this world.  Exploring "Second Life", an online virtual reality program created especially for the students allows them not only the flexibility to create personal avatars, environments, animals, costumes and activities, but also the chance to engage with students half-way around the world.  Starting as a virtual exchange program, the California school's faculty had the program created in hope of engaging their students with the 50 Japanese exchange students they will eventually meet.  The program, only offered to students and a select number of adults, provides an incredibly unique environment for meeting new friends across numerous time zones.  The students are able to bond over created and shared technology, while learning about each other.  
When the students are simultaneously online they are able to organize events and create activities for all participants in the program.  A Japanese-English language bar was installed for instant messaging, which will help with the learning of a new language and communication barriers that are inevitable. 



Response:
What the faculty, students, and parents are able to create in this California school not only utilizes fantastic new technology, but connects themselves to others around the world.  I believe that this type of communication is one of the most positive benefits to having new technology in the classroom.  Students are able to connect with other cultures and people without spending a lot of money, especially when it can be used for years after purchased.  The initial cost of implementing this type of programming can be quite expensive and difficult to organize.  After reading the article I wonder how online, free or inexpensive virtual reality programs might also benefit students and help create relationships.  A benefit to "Second Life", or any individualized program, is that one can monitor the users, thus eliminating any inappropriate content or relationships.  I believe that the internet can be an important tool for meeting new people, but also dangerous if done inappropriately.  When monitored correctly, as with "Second Life", students are able to explore, create, and meet new people in a safe environment. 
   The creative aspect of the program is also incredibly valuable.  Students are literally creating a new world, new characters, languages, clothing, environments, etc.  So many students are not able to express themselves in such a fashion because traditional learning does not account for their creativity.  However, technology is not only capable of enhancing creativity, but is able to enhance and move as quickly as students ideas.  They receive important skills by using the technology, and are able to create new ideas based on those skills.