Avatars help develop education - the presentation at OnlineEduca conference on 4th December 2009. This presentation outlines the way in which four institutions, Laurea, Häme, Lahti and Metropolia universities of applied sciences, have joined forces in exploring the use of Second Life. A virtual environment has promoted a new way of networking between the four partners as well as among other educational organizations within EduFinland. More information http://wiki.laurea.fi/secondlife

1. AvatarsHelp DevelopEducation Irma Mänty, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Finland OnlineEduca Berlin 4th December 2009

2. 6.10.2009 I Mänty 2 RamiMilena was born in 13th November 2007 in Second Life

3. Laurea and Häme University of Applied Sciences to EduFinland I island in June 2008 Lahti and Metropolia UAS joinedournetwork in January 2009

4. EduFinland archipelago has 4 islands with over 30 educational institutions and communities working together

6. involvement of staff with different tasks

7. learning to use virtual worlds

8. exchanging experiences and expertise

10. 6.10.2009 I Mänty 7 Programme for networkingevents Brief information sessions on the use of SL in teaching, familiarising with EduFinland, friend request, virtual coffee breaks, interviews, panel discussions, visiting virtual campuses of companies

12. The communal aspect is rewarding

13. A sense of presence is stronger compared to other online tools

14. Requires independent practice

15. Provides opportunity to develop one’s teaching

16. Technical problems have not been a discouragement

18. Avoiding lengthy lecture segments

19. Pre-planning team guidance

20. Social etiquette

21. Effective use of chat feature

22. Use of note cards and Twitter

24. EduFinland is a secure environment for lecturers and other members of staff

25. jointly brought ideas for constructing the area and for ways it can be used

27. encourage lecturers to make use of the virtual world and virtual games both in teaching and R&D&I activities

28. use SL to model and simulate authentic learning situations

29. increase international cooperation