Academic Librarians in Second Life.

Denise Cote, Beth Kraemer, Diane Nahl, Robin Ashford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The multi-user virtual world Second Life is an online software platform that allows users to jointly explore realistic three-dimensional environments via avatar characters, com-municate via voice and text chat, and collaborate using shared creation tools. Librarians and educators have been developing academic content and services in Second Life for use with students and other constituency groups since 2005. This study surveyed aca-demic librarians working in Second Life to discover their perceptions of virtual world en-vironments for teaching and learning and to gauge the impact of this technology on their work with faculty and students. Sixty-two librarians provided details on various aspects of their professional involvement in Second Life. Findings show that librarians from every type of academic institution, at all levels of advancement, and in every depart-ment participate in this virtual world. Results include details of roles and functions, as well as perceived benefits and challenges. Because many adolescents and teenagers worldwide are currently active virtual world participants, academic librarians in Second Life view virtual world technology as a significant near-future educational trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)20-47
Number of pages28
JournalJournal of Library Innovation
Volume3
Issue number1
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Bibliographical note

Accession Number: 74999839; Authors:Cote, Denise 1; Kraemer, Beth 2; Nahl, Diane 3; Ashford, Robin 4; Affiliations: 1: College of DuPage; 2: University of Kentucky; 3: University of Hawaii at Manoa; 4: George Fox University; Subject: Academic librarians; Subject: Virtual communities; Subject: Second Life (Game); Subject: Online chat; Subject: Educational technology; Number of Pages: 28p; Illustrations: 5 Color Photographs, 7 Charts; Record Type: Article

Keywords

  • Academic librarians
  • Virtual communities
  • Online chat
  • Educational technology
  • Second Life (Game)

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