College Reading and Learning Association ConferenceRichmond, VA

10/29/09

1. Exploration of new online technologies (Second Life)1. Exploration of new online technologies (Second Life)

2. Examination of Community of Inquiry 2. Examination of Community of Inquiry

3. Implementation for developmental reading students3. Implementation for developmental reading students

4. Information for administrators and instructors4. Information for administrators and instructors

We as developmental instructors MUST be 21st Century-minded. We will be doing our students a disservice if we don’t stay one step ahead in educational technolgies

Our students are bored with traditional instruction

Our students are adept with using social technologies

Second Life

Second Life is a 3-D Multi User Virtual Environment (MUVE) where avatars (digital representations of yourself) can: Create Collaborate Engage in role-play Engage in simulation activities Engage in interactive activities

Community of Inquiry(CoI)

educational experience

selecting content

setting climate

supporting discourse

Community of Inquiry (CoI)

“Cognitive presence is the extent to which the participants in any particular configuration of a community of inquiry are able to construct meaning through sustained communication.” (Garrison, Anderson & Archer W, 2001).

“Social presence is the ability of learners to project their personal characteristics into the community of inquiry, thereby presenting themselves as 'real people.‘”(Rourke, Anderson, Garrison, & Archer, 2001).

“Teaching presence is defined as the design, facilitation, and direction of cognitive and social processes for the purpose of realizing personally meaningful and educational worthwhile learning outcomes.” Anderson, Rourke, Garrison, Archer, 2001).

CoI Categories:Cognitive presence

Triggering events Exploration Integration Resolution

Social Presence Categories Effective expression Open communication Group cohesion

Teaching Presence Categories Design and organization Facilitating discourse Direct instruction

Cognitive Presence Activities read-alouds (concept application, i.e.

main idea) small or whole-group discussions

(based upon narrative or expository readings)

think-pair-share exploration direct instruction Problem-solving and resolution

Social Presence ActivitiesVoice or text communicationNote cards Private messaging (synchronous and

asynchronous)scavenger huntsProblem-solving and resolution

Teaching Presence ActivitiesDirect instructionLectureFacilitating discourseDemonstrationFacilitator of discussionOrganized fieldtrips to other

educational islands

Multi User Virtual Environment Education

Tool (MUVEET)

Multi User Virtual Environment Education Evaluation Tool (MUVEEET) An observation tool designed to measure

all three constructs (social, cognitive, and teaching presence in a virtual environment

Developmental readers often have cognitive and affective deficiencies such as:

Self-regulation Effective reading strategies Reading comprehension

skills Analytical thinking skills Time management skills Interest in reading Motivation

Second Life: Gives D.E. students a synchronous (in real

time) online learning format with teacher presence (to faciliate learning)

Bridges the gap between BlackBoard/WebCT and face-to-face instruction (telepresence)

Facilitates learning technological skills Encourages self-regulation/time

management Is Engaging

Bearkat Island

Take a look at your paper entitled “Session Discussion Questions”

Let’s take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts on this topic

Then, let’s discuss…

Visit the Second Life Database for Second Life Educators:http://simteach.com/sled/db/

Contact Information:Melissa Burgess, Clinical Professor

Email: mlb024@shsu.edu

Wally Barnes, Coordinator of the Reading Center

Email: wbb001@shsu.edu

In Second Life, please visit SHSU’s virtual university, Bearkat Island!