Student Teaching and Second Life: Using Second Life to Connect Distributed Interns

Virtual world technologies such as Second Life and There have generated much interest concerning their potential in the areas of learning communities, social connectedness among “classmates” and even identity development. The use of Second Life for virtual classroom spaces, for university meeting spaces and for constructivist and simulated learning experiences is a topic of theoretical interest. The use of such technologies for these interests still needs empirical examination. Liberty University began using Second Life to address a real challenge, notably the increasing number of undergraduate students distributed across the country during their enrolled student teaching semester. The faculty at Liberty University’s School of Education began examining Second Life as a means of connecting students meaningfully with each other and with faculty for support during this internship period.