Virtual Learning Environments

I work for a huge global company, Siemens. My first VLE was there web-based training system. We are required to do classes in “legal compliance” and “financial risk assessment” and other complete snoozers. In addition to the horrible subject matter, the training was just like PowerPoint slides with a narrator reading aloud what is on the slides. The only interactivity is clicking to go to the next slide. I hate to think how much money they invested in this horrible training.

Then came Blackboard with which we are all familiar. So I won’t blab about that. However, my next VLE was taking classes Second Life. I LOVE IT! Last year I spent the whole summer giving myself a Second Life education – I learned to build & script. I also took a class in role-playing and other SL “social’ skills. I’m now what is called “a class junkie” in SL.

I like learning in SL so much that last January between semesters, I completed “teacher training” so I can start  teaching classes myself. I still have to complete my “practice” teaching with a mentor but i’ve already been offered a job teaching for them. Woohoo!

There are many interesting things happening in education in SL. There are some great mashups happening. One that I found very interesting that i want to explore more is Sloodle.  Also, the list of universities offering classes in SL is growing exponentially which really excites me. I can see myself spending my days teaching in SL instead of sitting in a cubicle working for The Man.