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This virtual course was conducted in SL to provide adult learners with opportunities to practice English in various simulated real-life tasks. The pre-and-post course surveys, students’ learning journals, teachers’ observation notes and focus group interview revealed that students found SL beneficial to interact with other avatars in English via text/voice chat. The unique features afforded by SL (e.g., immersion, telepresence, changing appearances) also boosted their motivation, enhanced their engagement and fostered their virtual identities. In-world activities (e.g., museum field trip, role-play in Holodecks, building posters for presentations) will be showcased to participants attending this session. Lessons drawn from this study will also be discussed.

Relevant websites:

Researcher blog: http://unicorngluminos.blogspot.com/2010/10/test-page.html

Interactive whiteboard: http://www.scribblar.com/