Virtual+Krystalnacht

This is the link to the US Holocaust Museum Virtual Krystalnacht Exhibit [] Click on the link in the box. Next you will need to sign-up for Second Life. It is a free download Then go back to the original link and teleport to the SLURL (Second Life URL) of the exhibit.

Post the screenshot of your Avatar, your name, and your comments about this experience.

I visited the Holocaust Museum and learned about Kristallnacht. I've never used 2nd life, and it was incredibly moving to hear real-life accounts and personal memories. I felt like I was really in charge of my learning, and that this would be a MUCH more meaningful experience for students than reading a textbook to gather this information. The virtual learning environment felt very real, and I learned some new facts I hadn't known before. I also like that I could set my own pace of gathering information, I've sometimes been overwhelmed by emotions when learning about the Holocaust, being able to pace my exposure to the information made me feel empowered as a learner. This is the first time that I've used a "game" without it feeling "playful" which is an interesting phenomenon for me. EA Technologically speaking, this was very tricky. I had ten different problems. I love this use of virtual visits, but it is challenging for me personally as someone with visual stimuli sensistivities. It made me wonder if this technology is truly inclusive in a classroom environment. My difficulties though also illustrated how skilled my 8 year old in comparison to me. As a digital native, she has no problem helping me manipulate the video game world. EH



I found that there were both pros and cons to Second Life and the Virtual World. It was very interesting to learn about Krystallnacht through a Virtual World instead of having to read about it in a book where I could not interact with my surroundings. This would help students get a better understanding of what they are learning because they are very involved in what is going on and need to participate hands on. At the same time, I can see issues arising with internet connectivity and the maneuverability of the character. It took a long time for me to find stories and learn anything because although there was a lot of the screen, I tried to click on items and they were not clickable or helpful to the journey. IY



I enjoyed using Second Life. The program is very interactive which I think will help students who have trouble concentrating. I thought that the recordings of stories made the experience feel more like a live museum where there are both recordings and visuals. I had some trouble getting the Kristallnacht program to work in Second Life, as the link wouldn’t connect. However, I did find it through Second Life and was able to see the exhibit. I think that programs like Second Life will be powerful tools in education. -EL LV

I found it difficult to navigate between rooms and very disorienting. I can't work the DVR !

I am having a good time learning how to use all of these tools. It was an incredible experience to actually take a tour without leaving my desk. I am so accustomed to using my ipad now though that using a non-touch program felt awkward. I think that many children who are used to tablets would have the same experience. My brain stayed more active as I interacted with the program, so it kept my interest more. I am an auditory processing learner predominantly so it was appealing to have that piece of the tour guide talking to me also. I would definitely use 2nd life in a classroom setting, or assign it for supplimental studies to reinforce text study, or lectures in a standard classroom. LV



The process of creating an avatar was challenging. I wanted to modify the avatar and spent quite a bit of time on it. I am still not happy with the way it turned out. I think it would take time for students to create an avatar and explore. This time would need to be built into the assignment in some way. Interacting in the virtual world was easier. Navigation made intuitive sense. I can see how it might help students connect to a subject in a different way. Guidelines about learning expectations would be necessary. YW

This is my second time using Second Life-- my first time was in Middle School and I wasn't the biggest fan. After looking through the Holocaust Museum's presence on Second Life, I am still not a big fan of it. I thought the exhibit was lacking on content. The content that was available was hard to find and after I found it, it was difficult to read, see, and listen to it. But there was one upside to this experience: the beautiful cutout of history. I actually felt like my avatar was walking through the destroyed city in Austria.



I think that SecondLife is a really good concept, but that it needs to be easier to use. It has definitely gotten better and easier since the last time I checked it out( probably in middle school), but I was very confused. I consider myself pretty technology-savvy, and I feel like if I had a lot of trouble figuring it out, so will many others. If it had been easier to get around, I may have liked it better. I felt like there was too much going on on the screen and too many things popping up on top of eachother. I personally don't think I would use SecondLife in the classroom, but maybe something more simplified (with an easier interface and maybe less customizability), more like Club Penguin or WebKinz. AB

EK: While the technology seemed promising, I had too much trouble accessing this. My computer at work had it blocked because my firewall registered secondlife as a problematic site. And my computer at home couldn't find the application that would work with second life. I created an avatar but when I went into the exhibit, I couldn't zoom in to the ground level. From looking at everyone else's pictures, I get the idea, but I also wonder if this is a case where the technology has gotten too complicated. When technology isn't at all user-friendly, I wonder how much it will actually be used.

RR:

I found Secondlife for the most part easy to manage and navigate. There were some times when I got confused because you have to be really good at multi-tasking to be good with using Secondlife. I enjoy how real the experience feels and interactive. The USHMM Kristallnacht interactive activity I found to be very compelling and powerful because you really felt like you were there and connected.