Teen Second Life Grant Proposal
Final Project for EDCI 572
Introduction to Educational Technology
By: Rachael Newmiller
What is Educational Technology?
•In the simplest form, educational technology is the use of technology to support and facilitate the learning process (Dimox, 2009)
–Includes: The use of technology for delivering learning content and materials, facilitating communication, and providing assessment and feedback.
What is the grant for?
•$700 - Initial Teen Second Life private education region set-up fee
•$3,540 - 2 years of monthly site maintenance fees
•$44,640 - Compensation for:
–1440 hours of teacher classroom development hours
–720 hours of facilitation by after-school/before-school teaching staff
–72 hours of tech support by school technical staff
What is Teen Second Life?
•Teen Second Life is a virtual world for interacting in almost any context.
–It is designed for use by students under the age of 18.
•For our purposes:
– An estate would be purchased in Teen Second Life to set up a private after school support classroom.
–Each student who utilized the after school classroom would create their own Avatar that could interact with other students and with instructors within the virtual classroom environment.
–Access to the classroom would be managed by the technology support staff of the high school.
Who is the targeted student population?
•The Second Life Afterschool Classroom will be used to support the learning processes of students in the 7th and 8th grades at Choteau Junior High School outside the normal school hours.
What are the needs of the students?
•Many students who struggle academically need:
–To receive academic support outside of the classroom and/or the school environment.
–To be presented with academic material in a highly visual and interactive manner.
–To interact with teachers in smaller group settings.
–To learn remedial academic content in order to be successful at the current grade level.
How does Teen Second Life meet these needs?
•The After School Classroom will be designed for use by students who need extra help (outside of school hours) on current assignments and classroom topics or who need remedial learning in various subjects.
•A teacher will be provided in a study hall for 1 hour before and 1 hour after school to help facilitate student learning but the on-line classroom will be designed for use by those students who cannot meet with teachers face to face during scheduled school hours.
How will the needs of ALL students be met?
•All students will have access to a teacher for face-to-face help during the hour immediately preceding and following the school day.
•All students will be able to check-out a lap top with internet capabilities from the school with parental permission.
–Laptops with capabilities needed to meet any specific needs of students will be provided by the special education department of the school.
•Students will also be allowed to access Teen Second Life during their study hall (in school hours).
–Any special needs of students will be met through the resource room during the specific student’s daily study hall period.
How will learners be impacted?
•Teen Second Life will provide a captivating and engaging virtual learning environment that will allow students to receive extra daily help or to work on remedial skills, improving their overall academic performance.
How will success be measured?
•Changes in student classroom grades will be measured and compared to changes that occurred in the previous two years by students who were simply attending a before school or after school study hall.
Resources
•Dimox, Initials. (2009). Educational technology insight. Retrieved from http://edtech.twinisles.com/rb/
•Oddcast, . (2007). Voki. Retrieved from http://www.voki.com/
•Rosedale, P. (1999). Second life. Retrieved from http://secondlife.com/