Virtually embedded 062110

Virtually Embedded in Second Life

Marian G. Davis & Carol E. SmithUniversity of Central Missouri

2010 ALA Annual ConferenceSunday, June 27, 2010

Sponsored by ACRL

Virtually Embedded Objectives

• Getting started• Learning curve• Formalizing library instruction• Best practices

What is an embedded librarian?

Embedded Instruction Through Adobe Connect

Embedded in TraditionalDistance Learning Platforms

Second Life

First released June 2003

JCKL Ref Desk on Info Island

Avatar Scottric JCKL waits for students

A birds-eye view of the sky classroomsClassroom in the skyDockery building with Second Life artworkUniversity of Central Missouri flagNavigating staircases can be challengingStraight paths are easy to walkRecognizing the aviation program with a virtual airportA nod to nearby Whiteman Air Force Base – home of the B-2 Bomber

Building Selmo Park

In Class With Students

1:1 professor/librarian to student ratio – a great way to start!

Summer2008

Getting Started in Second Life

• Download Software• Choose Name & Create Account• Walk, Talk, Fly, & Teleport• Create Appearance

Head Size

Small Head Big Head

Head Stretch

Squash Head Stretch Head

Head Shape

Square Head Round Head

Head Shape

Chin Heavy Forehead Heavy

Head Length

Flat Head Long Head

Face Shear

Shear Right Up Shear Left Up

Brow Size

Small Brow Large Brow

Eye Size

Beady Eyes Anime Eyes

Eye Spacing

Close Set Far Set

Upper Cheeks

Thin Puffy

Lower Cheeks

Well Fed Sunken

Mouth Position

High Low

Lip Width

Narrow Wide

Lip Thickness

Thin Fat

Chin Angle

Chin Out Chin In

Chin Depth

Shallow Deep

Purchase Pre-Made Shape & Skin

Getting Started in Second Life

• Clothing• Lag• Building skills

Images still rezzing Images fully rezzed

TOUR TIME Destination: Kirkpatrick Library on Selmo Park

Time to Fire Up Your Clickers!

Recap: The Easy Way to Ease Into Second Life Embedding

• One step at a time – easy does it!• Embrace the learning curve• Experiment and play• Seek out SL education opportunities• Begin with individual consultations• Branch out when ready• Develop an educational support network

Providing Library Instruction in the Second Life Classroom

April 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingJan 29 2009: Virtual Harlem Classroom – Exploring Paper TopicsJan 27 2009: Virtual Harlem Classroom – Professor InstructionFeb 3, 2009: Selmo Park – First Library Instruction SessionFeb 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Exploring DatabasesFeb 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Exploring DatabasesFeb 24, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – The Research ProcessFeb 24, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – The Research ProcessMarch 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – The Library CatalogMarch 12, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Interlibrary LoanMarch 12, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Interlibrary LoanApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingJan 15 2009: Virtual Harlem Classroom – New Students Creating Their AvatarsApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power GooglingApril 10, 2009: Selmo Park Library Instruction – Power Googling

Beginning Virtual Library Instruction

Spring2009

Design of Virtually Embedded Library Instruction

• Short sessions– 15 minutes max• Support with visuals• Multiple sessions vs. the “one-shot”• Introduce skills progressively• Schedule topics to align with course activities

and assignments• Cover ACRL info lit standards• Support course objectives

Spring2009

Instruction Session Topics

1. Library Resources Overview2. Databases3. Search Strategies4. The Research Process5. Library Catalog6. Interlibrary Loan7. Power Googling

Spring2009

Best Practice Challenges

• Static delivery method• Lack of student engagement– Few questions– Were they listening?– Were they present?

• Need for assessment

Spring2009

July, 2010: ALA Conference – Promoting Library Careers in Second LifeMarch 17, 2009: Streaming Children’s Literature Festival on ALA IslandApril 3, 2009: Tour of Virtual Harlem for Missouri DeansApril 7, 2009: Assisting “Swedish Connection” Activity

Other Activities in Second Life Spring2009

Fall 2009: Incorporating Active Learning

Fall2009

TOUR TIME: Destination: QuickTip Room,

Virtual Harlem Classroom

Best Practice Challenges

• Insufficient student feedback• Lack of visual cues• Synchronicity hurdles• In-world browser limitations• Voice chat challenges with external browsers• Limited use of multimedia

Fall2009

Spring 2010:Incorporating Multimedia

Spring2010

Time to Fire Up Your Clickers!

Past Research:How Effective Are We?

Avatars slump over after a few minutes of inactivity. Are the students there?

Current Research: Virtual Cat Got Their Tongue?

Current Research: Virtual Cat Got Their Tongue?

GUEST SPEAKER:Bryan Mnemonic (aka Dr. Bryan Carter)

The Educator’s Perspective

Time to Fire Up Your Clickers!

Some Best Practices• Select your SL name carefully• Seek out the SL educators on your campus• Find the educator who welcomes your

collaboration• First semester: explore, learn to navigate• Expand services as comfort level grows• Librarian services go beyond traditional

resources

Some Best Practices• Engage students with active learning and

multimedia• Chunk instruction into smaller bites of time• Integrate instruction with course

syllabus/assignments• Provide access to materials – Quick Tip Room• Proactively approach students in conversation• Network with other SL librarians and

educators

The Future of Virtual Embedding?