Virtual arts: visual arts education in the virtual world of Second Life

Virtual worlds are emerging as the new frontier in the use of ICTs for the engagement of students in primary, secondary and tertiary education. In 2010 the use of the virtual world, Second Life, was trialled as a pedagogical tool in the training of Visual Art Education students studying at Southern Cross University. The students, physically located at three regional campuses, spent time in-world discussing concepts, visiting art sites, creating 2D and 3D art work and designing an exhibition space. This case study makes a comparison between traditional and mixed mode delivery and recommendations are proposed in relation to strategies for implementing the use of virtual worlds in Visual Arts teacher training and Secondary School Art Education. Background Southern Cross University (SCU) (2010) is a regional university that offers a range of degree programs over a number of campuses. The Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) in Visual Arts is available to students on three campuses with the highest percentage on the Lismore campus. The University has been developing ways to maximise delivery for all students with the premise being that “..... a student should have a range of pedagogically sound study options to best suit their learning preferences and their work and life demands. This vision would see all students, whether geographically in close proximity to a campus or not, provided with equitable learning opportunities through a single enrolment mode.” (New Directions for Delivery at Southern Cross University, 2007, p. 3) As part of the new directions for delivery the Curriculum Specialisation Unit in Visual Arts was offered through tutorials and consultations in the virtual world, Second Life (SL). Late in 2009 SCU developed a presence in SL with Interaction Island as “the first step by the University to encourage staff to explore the next phase of the Internet-based information and communications technology revolution virtual worlds.” (Discover SCU, Sept 2009). Ellis, Hassett and Rowe (2009) and Ellis, Jacobson and Rowe (2010) describe the design, building and management of the island that aims to provide an environment in which students and staff can build their skills and develop ways to enhance teaching and learning using virtual worlds.