Authors:
Gemma Delicado Puerto
;
Paula Ferreira da Silva
and
Eva María Domínguez Gómez
Affiliation:
Extremadura University, Spain
Keyword(s):
Web-based learning, Virtual instruction, Web 2.0 (strategies and tools), Language, Literature, Culture.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer-Supported Education
;
Distance and e-Learning in a Global Context
;
e-Learning
;
e-Learning Platforms
;
Simulation and Modeling
;
Simulation Tools and Platforms
;
Social Context and Learning Environments
Abstract:
Already having an impact on language instruction, the lack of space offered to the implementation of new technologies and the Web 2.0 within the humanities is particularly absent in the culture and literature teaching fields. This absence has originated the proposal we introduce here. Along our discussion we seek to demonstrate the projection and validity of the execution of these tools and its advantages for our potential consumers, college humanities professionals, whom in general are not very familiar with the usage of ICTs in the classroom. By offering students the opportunity to surface and network with some of the Web 2.0 tools on Second Life.com, a Web-based space, they will face the acquisition of language, culture and literature through a challenging and dynamic approach, which represents a novel and motivating way of learning. Used as an educational tool, Second Life serves as a context where users can meet, communicate and learn from speakers of other languages and culture
s in a synchronous way by transforming themselves into cyber-characters, the so called avatars. Thus, residing and actively participating in Second life can be for virtual students, more fruitful than learning through traditional instruction, since cyber-students interact without time or space limits, breaking conventional classroom barriers. As a consequence, the Web 2.0 offers the potential of a wide range of resources for variable kinds of innovative teaching/learning purposes which will contribute to enhance teaching within this discipline.
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