Atikkam Academy will embrace the future of flexible learning by incorporating the 3D virtual world of Second Life into our teaching and learning strategies.

Second Life is an online world through which you can move, interact, communicate and discover in real time and in three dimensions.

The advantages for education offered by virtual worlds like Second Life have been the focus of major research studies by some of the world’s most prominent academic institutions over several years. Many universities, including Stanford, UCL and Harvard have virtual campuses ‘in-world’ where live classes are taught, tutorials are conducted and real communication and interaction can occur.

These advantages are particularly important for distance or flexible learning programmes, in which students are often physically located in different cities or countries. These students sometimes crave the live interaction they would normally enjoy in a traditional classroom setting.

While other more conventional methods of online communication and interactive learning, such as discussion forums, email and video, help to bridge this gap, the three-dimensional live environment of a virtual world takes distance learning to an entirely new level of engagement.

By attending organised lectures, classes or tutorials in Second Life, distance learners get to ‘meet’ their tutor and each other in a virtual space designed for synchronised learning events. The tutor can present live slide shows for illustrated lectures, organise tutorial sessions with small groups of learners, and provide one-on-one tuition for individual students in a virtual space.

“This is a very exciting development for Atikkam Academy” says Academy director, Dr. Mark Anderson. “We will guide students through the initial learning curve that comes with using a new technology, but the reward will be a much more powerful and effective learning experience from which both students and tutors will benefit.”

The Academy will begin the Second Life initiative by conducting small lectures and tutorials in-world. The courses to be included in the pilot scheme are Introducing Archaeology, Keeping Reptiles and Birds of Prey. Other courses will be added during the rest of the year.

Students can start learning about the virtual world by visiting the Second Life website and signing up for a free Second Life account. Full instructions and guidance for using the programme will be given by individual course tutors in advance of the first in-world learning event.