Second Life as a Disruptive Educational Force

Second Life can be a disruptive force in the educational community.  As a disruptive force, the need for physical buildings disappear.  Classrooms are virtual and wherever there is an internet connection to access the domain.  There is a game quality to the control of your avatar, which can walk, run, fly, and jump.  Teleporting to a different location or island is one of the tools that allow you to move around quickly and freely.  You can have conversations with the people you meet, and seems to be a perfect setting for a virtual classroom. 

Second Life has the opportunity to replace the physical educational institution in the sense of a brick and mortar school.  It takes the "physical plant" and places in a virtual world.  There is no added expense of feeding, transporting, or having the expenses associated with a building, there is interaction within the virtual environment, along with other people there.  One advantage is the flexibility in scheduling events.  The ability to instruct a class at seven pm, versus eight am, may have appeal to a person who is an afternoon or evening person. 

Should holographic technology continue to evolve in the near future, I see the possibility of a holographic version of Second Life.  Your camera has the capability now of transmitting your image and your voice to others.  The same tools could create a virtual holographic image of you, and place in an educational island on Second Life.  That is my kind of education. 

Parameters need to be in place concerning social norms on such a site.  Tone in writing is such an important issue, as many people currently use the keyboard as an attack tool in many blogs.  There is name calling, profane language, and disrespectful discussions that certainly violate the need for civility in an online environment.

While Second Life may not be able to currently do many of these things, there is potential for such an environment to appear on Second Life.  I think I am going to look for a master class island for my musical skills.