Chemistry and Second Life: Teaching in a virtual world.

Abstract

For the past three decades, Don Rosenthal was one of the educational leaders who was always looking for new ways to use the computer to teach chem. The next big step in using the computer may well be a user-created, virtual world called Second Life. As I have explored Second Life during the past year, I have often found myself wondering what Don would have thought about this amazing new environment. Teaching in a virtual space is certainly something new and very different, and Second Life provides an excellent opportunity for chem. educators to learn about these new opportunities and challenges. This paper will discuss the explorations and surprises that have accompanied my efforts to understand how the teaching and learning process changes in a virtual world. [on SciFinder(R)]