Second life, first experiences: using virtual worlds in teacher education

Article

Wilks, Judith L. and Jacka, Lisa. 2013. "Second life, first experiences: using virtual worlds in teacher education." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 38 (4), pp. 165-182. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2013v38n4.10
Article Title

Second life, first experiences: using virtual worlds in teacher education

ERA Journal ID20742
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsWilks, Judith L. (Author) and Jacka, Lisa (Author)
Journal TitleAustralian Journal of Teacher Education
Journal Citation38 (4), pp. 165-182
Article Number10
Number of Pages18
Year2013
PublisherEdith Cowan University
Place of PublicationPerth, Western Australia
ISSN0313-5373
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2013v38n4.10
Web Address (URL)https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ajte/vol38/iss4/10
Abstract

Innovating in a higher education teaching context is never a
straightforward matter. There are many factors influencing how,what, and when we teach, and the students’ experiences of these things. This is especially so in the context of pre-service teacher education, forever evolving in response to rapidly changing technological, political and socio-cultural landscapes. In this paper we relate and reflect on the innovation of utilising the 3D immersive virtual world of Second Life in two secondary education units of study.
We discuss and interrogate our own and our students’ experiences when we used Second Life to teach in during the first unit, and to teach about in the second.

Keywordssecondary education; virtual education
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390405. Educational technology and computing
390307. Teacher education and professional development of educators
390303. Higher education
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsSouthern Cross University
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6671/second-life-first-experiences-using-virtual-worlds-in-teacher-education

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
Second Life First Experiences_Using VirtualWorlds in Teacher Education.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 112
    total views
  • 69
    total downloads
  • 6
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

HyFlex Learning and Teaching A Guide for Educational Innovation
Lindsay, Julie and Jacka, Lisa. 2025. "HyFlex Learning and Teaching A Guide for Educational Innovation." Jisc Webinar 2025. 10 - 10 Apr 2025
HyFlex Learning and Teaching: A Guide for Educational Innovation
Jacka, Lisa and Lindsay, Julie. Lindsay, Julie and Jacka, Lisa (ed.) 2025. HyFlex Learning and Teaching: A Guide for Educational Innovation . Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Balancing the Shift Podcast
Lindsay, Julie and Jacka, Lisa. 2025. Balancing the Shift Podcast. Australia.
The footsteps on the sands of AI for higher education: Moving beyond ad-hoc
Lindsay, Julie and Jacka, Lisa. 2024. "The footsteps on the sands of AI for higher education: Moving beyond ad-hoc." Journal of Ethics in Higher Education. (5), pp. 51-77. https://doi.org/10.26034/fr.jehe.2024.6863
Footsteps on the sands of AI for higher education: Moving beyond adhoc
Lindsay, J. and Jacka, L.. 2024. "Footsteps on the sands of AI for higher education: Moving beyond adhoc." ICDE Leadership Summit. Geneva, Switzerland 05 - 07 Jun 2024
Reimagining learning in an AI empowered world
Lindsay, Julie and Jacka, Lisa. 2024. "Reimagining learning in an AI empowered world." 4th AUN-TEPL Symposium . Bangkok, Thailand 28 - 28 May 2024 Thailand.
Blocking our best and brightest: Entry into ITE courses is too complicated
Jacka, Lisa. 2024. "Blocking our best and brightest: Entry into ITE courses is too complicated." EducationHQ.
Collaboration for primary teaching improvement: The relational aspects of close co-teaching
Bellert, Anne, Jacka, Lisa, Marcoionni, Tina and Waters, Richard. 2024. "Collaboration for primary teaching improvement: The relational aspects of close co-teaching." Lynch, David, Yeigh, Tony and Boyd, Wendy (ed.) Re-imagining Teaching Improvement: From Early Childhood to University. Singapore. Springer. pp. 71-96
Hybrid and flexible learning
Jacka, Lisa, Lindsay, Julie, Dowd, Annette and Naidu, Som. 2023. Hybrid and flexible learning . Australia. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
Flipping the focus: An innovative design strategy to support technology integration in teacher education
Jacka, Lisa. 2023. "Flipping the focus: An innovative design strategy to support technology integration in teacher education." International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning. 15 (4), pp. 397-411. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTEL.2023.133778
Humanizing Online Learning: A New Framework for Educational Design
Jacka, Lisa. 2023. "Humanizing Online Learning: A New Framework for Educational Design." EdMedia+ Innovate Learning Conference 2023. Vienna, Austria 10 - 14 Jul 2023 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
Flexible Learning and the Virtual Campus
Jacka, Lisa and Lindsay, Julie. 2022. "Flexible Learning and the Virtual Campus." Wilson, S., Arthars, N., Wardak, D., Yeoman, P., Kalman, E. and Liu, D, L.Y. T. (ed.) 39th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2022). Sydney, Australia 04 - 07 Dec 2022 Australia. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE). https://doi.org/10.14742/apubs.2022.154
Me, Us and IT: Insiders’ views of the complex technical, organisational and personal elements in using virtual worlds in education
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Wood, Denise, Grant, Scott, Nikolic, Sasha, Hillier, Mathew, Hearns, Merle, Jacka, Lisa, McDonald, Marcus, Reiners, Torsten, Lierse, Sharon, John, Blooma, Sukunesan, Suku, Rutherford, Emily, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Butler, Des, Farley, Helen and Irwin, Pauletta. 2017. "Me, Us and IT: Insiders’ views of the complex technical, organisational and personal elements in using virtual worlds in education ." Partridge, H., Davis, K. and Thomas, J. (ed.) 34th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2017). Toowoomba, Australia 04 - 06 Dec 2017 Australia.
Virtual reality in Education. Broken promises or new hope?
McGee, Brodie and Jacka, Lisa. 2021. "Virtual reality in Education. Broken promises or new hope?" Gregory, Sue, Warburton, Steve and Schier, Mark (ed.) 38th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education: Back to the Future (ASCILITE 2021). Armidale, Australia 29 Nov - 01 Dec 2020 Australia.
Vision - A space for digital learning and exploring pedagogies: Virtual world education
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Jacka, Lisa, Lierse, Sharon, McDonald, Marcus, Ellis, David, Hearns, Merle, Sukunesan, Suku, Irwin, Pauletta, John, Blooma, Butler, Des, Zagami, Jason and Gaukrodger, Belma. 2019. "Vision - A space for digital learning and exploring pedagogies: Virtual world education." Wei, Sharleen Chew Yi, Mun, Chan Kah and Alphonso, Alfieana (ed.) 36th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2019). Singapore 02 - 05 Dec 2019 Singapore.
Exploring virtual world innovations and design through learner voices
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Grant, Scott, McDonald, Marcus, Nikolic, Sasha, Farley, Helen, O'Connell, Judy, Butler, Des, Jacka, Lisa, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, McGrath, Naomi, Rudra, Amit, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Sukunesan, Suku, Zagami, Jason, Sim, Jenny, Schutt, Stefan, Gaukrodger, Belma, Hearns, Merle and Irving, Leah. 2016. "Exploring virtual world innovations and design through learner voices." Barker, S., Dawson, S., Pardo, A. and Colvin, C. (ed.) 33rd International Conference of Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2016). Adelaide, Australia 28 - 30 Nov 2016 Australia. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
Redefining and interrogating pedagogical practices
Hillier, Mathew, Jacka, Lisa, Koh, Josiah and Vallis, Carmen. 2022. Redefining and interrogating pedagogical practices. Australia. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
Co-design of higher education
Huber, Elaine and Jacka, Lisa. 2022. Co-design of higher education. Australia. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE).
Successful integration of virtual worlds in learning environments: a case study of a supportive learning ecosystem
Jacka, Lisa. 2021. "Successful integration of virtual worlds in learning environments: a case study of a supportive learning ecosystem." Interdisciplinary Journal of Virtual Learning in Medical Sciences. 12 (3), pp. 169-176. https://doi.org/10.30476/IJVLMS.2021.90912.1091
Developing a heutagogy approach to promoting teacher competencies in Indonesia
Handayani, Silvia Mariah, Yeigh, Tony, Jacka, Lisa and Peddell, Lewes. 2021. "Developing a heutagogy approach to promoting teacher competencies in Indonesia." Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences. 16 (3), pp. 939-951. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v16i3.5765
Anticipating engagement: pre-service teachers' perceptions of virtual worlds
Jacka, Lisa and Hill, Matthew. 2018. "Anticipating engagement: pre-service teachers' perceptions of virtual worlds." Gregory, Sue and Wood, Denise (ed.) Authentic virtual world education: facilitating cultural engagement and creativity. Singapore. Springer. pp. 135-151
Shifting pedagogies: embedding virtual worlds in teaching and learning
Jacka, Lisa. 2018. "Shifting pedagogies: embedding virtual worlds in teaching and learning." Falconer, Liz and Ortega, Mari Carmen Gil (ed.) Virtual Worlds: Concepts, Applications and Future Directions. New York. Nova Science Publishers. pp. 201-232
Students as Designers of Virtual World Learning Environments
Jacka, Lisa and Booth, Kate. 2019. "Students as Designers of Virtual World Learning Environments." Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher Education: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. IGI Global. pp. 1697-1712
Can we ‘Catch ‘em All’? An exploration of the nexus between augmented reality games, urban planning and urban design
Potts, Ruth, Jacka, Lisa and Yee, Lachlan Hartley. 2017. "Can we ‘Catch ‘em All’? An exploration of the nexus between augmented reality games, urban planning and urban design." Journal of Urban Design. 22 (6), pp. 866-880. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2017.1369873
Using virtual worlds in educational settings: making learning real
Jacka, Lisa. 2018. Using virtual worlds in educational settings: making learning real. Routledge.
New applications, new global audiences: educators repurposing and reusing 3D virtual and immersive learning resources
Gregory, Sue, O'Connell, Judy, Butler, Des, McDonald, Marcus, Kerr, Tom, Schutt, Stefan, Jacka, Lisa, Corder, Deborah, Hearns, Merle, Sujunesan, Suku, Gregory, Brent, Grant, Scott, Masters, Yvonne, Nicolic, Sasha, de Freitas, Sarah, Sim, Jenny, Doyle, Jo, Reiners, Torsten, Cox, Robert, ..., Irving, Leah. 2015. "New applications, new global audiences: educators repurposing and reusing 3D virtual and immersive learning resources." Reiners, Torsten, Von Konsky, B. R., Gibson, D., Chang, V., Irving, L. and Clarke, K. (ed.) 32nd Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2015) . Perth, Australia 29 Nov - 02 Dec 2015 Perth, Australia.
Rhetoric and reality: critical perspectives on education in a 3D virtual world
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Wood, Denise, Butler, Des, Pasfield-Neofitou, Sarah, Hearns, Merle, de Freitas, Sarah, Farley, Helen, Warren, Ian, Jacka, Lisa, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Cox, Robert, Crowther, Patricia, Atkins, Clare, McDonald, Marcus, Reiners, Torsten, Wood, Lincoln, Sim, Jenny, Grant, Scott, ..., Wang, Xiangyu. 2014. "Rhetoric and reality: critical perspectives on education in a 3D virtual world." Hegarty, Bronwyn, McDonald, Jenny and Loke, Swee-Kin (ed.) 31st Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2014). Dunedin, New Zealand 23 - 26 Nov 2014 Sydney, Australia.
How are Australian higher education institutions contributing to change through innovative teaching and learning in virtual worlds?
Gregory, Brent, Gregory, Sue, Wood, Denise, Masters, Yvonne, Hillier, Mathew, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Bogdanovych, Anton, Butler, Des, Hay, Lyn, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Flintoff, Kim, Schutt, Stefan, Linegar, Dale, Alderton, Robyn, Cram, Andrew, Stupans, Ieva, McKeown Orwin, Lindy, Meredith, Grant, McCormick, Debbie, ..., Yusupova, Alyona. 2011. "How are Australian higher education institutions contributing to change through innovative teaching and learning in virtual worlds?" Williams, G., Statham, P., Brown, N. and Cleland, B. (ed.) 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2011). Hobart, Australia 04 - 07 Dec 2011 Australia.
Changing worlds: virtual worlds for higher degree research, supervision and networking
Jacka, Lisa, Gregory, Sue, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, McKeown Orwin, Lindy, Farley, Helen, Ellis, Allan, Grant, Scott and Hearns, Merle. 2011. "Changing worlds: virtual worlds for higher degree research, supervision and networking." Williams, Gary, Statham, Peta, Brown, Noel and Cleland, B. (ed.) 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2011). Hobart, Australia 04 - 07 Dec 2011 Australia.
An informal community of practice: the case of the DEHub virtual worlds working group
Farley, Helen, Gregory, Sue, Grant, Scott, Butler, Des, Jacka, Lisa, Orwin, Lindy and Jones, Janice K.. 2012. "An informal community of practice: the case of the DEHub virtual worlds working group." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and Stewart, T. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 Gold Coast, Australia.
Barriers and enablers to the use of virtual worlds in higher education: an exploration of educator perceptions, attitudes and experiences
Gregory, Sue, Scutter, Sheila, Jacka, Lisa, McDonald, Marcus, Farley, Helen and Newman, Chris. 2015. "Barriers and enablers to the use of virtual worlds in higher education: an exploration of educator perceptions, attitudes and experiences." Educational Technology and Society. 18 (1), pp. 3-12.
Using virtual worlds in rural and regional educational institutions
Gregory, Sue, Jacka, Lisa, Hillier, Mathew and Grant, Scott. 2015. "Using virtual worlds in rural and regional educational institutions." Australian and International Journal of Rural Education. 25 (2), pp. 73-90. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v25i2.17
Virtual worlds in Australian and New Zealand higher education: remembering the past, understanding the present and imagining the future
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Reiners, Torsten, Fardinpour, Ali, Hillier, Mathew, Lee, Mark J.W., Jacka, Lisa, Butler, Des, Holloway, David, Grant, Scott, Hearns, Merle, Flintoff, Kim, Jegathesan, Jay Jay, Ellis, David, McDonald, Marcus, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Gaukrodger, Belma, Zagami, Jason, Campbell, Chris, ..., Larson, Ian. 2013. "Virtual worlds in Australian and New Zealand higher education: remembering the past, understanding the present and imagining the future." Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013 Australia.
Virtual worlds for learning: done and dusted?
Newman, Christine, Farley, Helen, Gregory, Sue, Jacka, Lisa, Scutter, Sheila and McDonald, Marcus. 2013. "Virtual worlds for learning: done and dusted?" Carter, Helen, Gosper, Maree and Hedberg, John (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013 Sydney, Australia.
Sustaining the future through virtual worlds
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Hillier, Mathew, Jacka, Lisa, Schutt, Stefan, Ellis, David, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Wood, Denise, Masters, Yvonne, Farley, Helen, Orwin, Lindy, Stupans, Ieva, Scutter, Sheila, Warren, Ian, Steel, Caroline, Neuendorf, Penelope, Bower, Matt, Miller, Charlynn, Mathews, Shane, ..., McCarthy, Angela. 2012. "Sustaining the future through virtual worlds." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and Stewart, T. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 Gold Coast, Australia.
Learning and teaching in Second Life: Educator and student perspectives
Gregory, Sue, Willems, Julie, Wood, Denise, Hay, Lyn, Ellis, Allan and Jacka, Lisa. 2013. "Learning and teaching in Second Life: Educator and student perspectives." Willems, J., Tynan, B. and James, R. (ed.) Outlooks and opportunities in blended and distance learning. IGI Global. pp. 220-241
Fad or Future? Exploring affordances of virtual worlds for music performance education
Hill, Matthew and Jacka, Lisa. 2013. "Fad or Future? Exploring affordances of virtual worlds for music performance education." Australian Society for Music Education's XIX National Conference. Canberra, Australia 29 Sep - 01 Oct 2013 Australia. Australian Society for Music Education.
Designing contemporary music courses for the 21st century musician: virtual worlds as a live music performance space.
Jacka, Lisa and Hill, Matthew. 2013. "Designing contemporary music courses for the 21st century musician: virtual worlds as a live music performance space." Carter, H., Hedberg, J. and Gosper, M. (ed.) 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2013). Sydney, Australia 01 - 04 Dec 2013
Live music performance in virtual worlds: six musicians’ experiences
Hill, Matthew, Hartshorne, Sarah and Jacka, Lisa. 2013. "Live music performance in virtual worlds: six musicians’ experiences." 2013 IASPM-ANZ Conference. Gold Coast, Australia 24 - 27 Nov 2013 Australia.
What about the firewall? Creating virtual worlds in a public primary school using Sim-on-a-Stick.
Jacka, Lisa and Booth, Kate. 2013. "What about the firewall? Creating virtual worlds in a public primary school using Sim-on-a-Stick." Australian Educational Computing. 27 (2), pp. 13-17.
Sustaining the future through virtual worlds
Gregory, Sue, Gregory, Brent, Hillier, Mathew, Jacka, Lisa, Schutt, Stefan, Ellis, David, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, Wood, Denise, Masters, Yvonne, Farley, Helen, Orwin, Lindy, Stupans, Ieva, Scutter, Sheila, Warren, Ian, Steel, Caroline, Neuendorf, Penelope, Bower, Matt, Miller, Charlynn, Mathews, Shane, ..., McCarthy, Angela. 2012. "Sustaining the future through virtual worlds." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and McCarthy, A. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 New Zealand.
An informal community of practice: The case of the DEhub virtual worlds working group
Farley, Helen, Gregory, Sue, Grant, Scott, Butler, Des, Jacka, Lisa, Orwin, Lindy and Jones, Janice K.. 2012. "An informal community of practice: The case of the DEhub virtual worlds working group." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and Stewart, T. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 Australia.
The architecture of learning spaces: Designing in a virtual world for pre-service teacher education
Jacka, Lisa and Ellis, Allan. 2012. "The architecture of learning spaces: Designing in a virtual world for pre-service teacher education." Amiel, T. and Wilson, B. (ed.) EdMedia 2012: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology. Denver, Colorado, United States 25 - 29 Jun 2012 United States.
Pre-service teachers designing virtual world learning environments
Jacka, Lisa and Booth, Kate. 2012. "Pre-service teachers designing virtual world learning environments." International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments. 3 (4), pp. 16-26. https://doi.org/10.4018/jvple.2012100102
Changing worlds: Virtual worlds for higher degree research, supervision and networking
Jacka, Lisa, Gregory, Sue, Stokes-Thompson, Frederick, McKeown Orwin, Lindy, Farley, Helen, Ellis, Allan, Grant, Scott and Hearns, Merle. 2011. "Changing worlds: Virtual worlds for higher degree research, supervision and networking." Williams, G., Statham, P., Brown, N. and Cleland, B. (ed.) 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2011). Hobart, Australia 04 - 07 Dec 2011 Australia.
Myth busting education in a virtual world: Changing demands and directions
Gregory, Sue, Diener, Scott, Wood, Denise, Gregory, Brent, Sinnappan, Suku and Jacka, Lisa. 2011. "Myth busting education in a virtual world: Changing demands and directions." Williams, G., Statham, P., Brown, N. and Cleland, B. (ed.) 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2011). Hobart, Australia 04 - 07 Dec 2011 Australia.
Facilitating creativity in pre-service teacher education courses through their engagement in virtual worlds
Jacka, Lisa, Logan, Marianne and Ellis, Allan. 2011. "Facilitating creativity in pre-service teacher education courses through their engagement in virtual worlds." Martin, S. (ed.) International Virtual Worlds Research Group Conference 2011. Middlesborough, United Kingdom 27 - 28 Jun 2011 United Kingdom.
Developing a checklist for evaluating virtual worlds for use in education
Jacka, Lisa and Ellis, Allan. 2011. "Developing a checklist for evaluating virtual worlds for use in education." Barton, S., Hedberg, J. and Suzuki, K. (ed.) 2nd Annual Global Conference on Learning and Technology (AACE 2011): Global Learn Asia Pacific . Melbourne, Australia 28 Mar - 01 Apr 2011 Australia.
Virtual arts: Visual arts education in the virtual world of Second Life
Jacka, Lisa and Ellis, Allan. 2010. "Virtual arts: Visual arts education in the virtual world of Second Life." Australian Art Education. 33 (Special Edition 2), pp. 125-139.