Electronic information and communication technologies are changing our system of education. Multimedia learning is beginning to create new forms of academic instruction and vocational training. One of the current educational trends is the virtual world of Second Life. At Online-Educa, the international e-learning conference, Munich based virtual world content creator Bokowsky + Laymann will present practical e-learning examples that have been successful for educational establishments in virtual worlds.

The advantages of using virtual worlds for educational purposes are evident. Virtual worlds are accessible anywhere in the world at very little cost and its existing infrastructure can be used to convey many different types of information. The educational advantages are even more significant. It is a known fact that total immersion in a three-dimensional learning environment and a playful and creative approach to conveying course content makes it easier to effectively take in information.

New possibilities for the education sector
Classic e-Learning is limited with respect to its possibilities and that’s where the advantages of virtual worlds begin to become apparent. Apart from classic teaching methods like lectures and seminars in 3D worlds, the current tendency is towards innovative applications such as role play, simulation and the creation of complex 3D models to illustrate the syllabus. Virtual classrooms, learning paths and 3D simulations can help to create interactive learning environments for small and medium-sized classes. What’s more, if the overall concept is good, the learning process is even better if you incorporate some of the existing content from the virtual world.

The most famous virtual world, Second Life, now contains a large number of successful applications relating to the subject of education.

This includes team workshops and language courses as well as communication and behavioural training. There are even vocational training courses available on the most diverse subjects. Everything is covered from process role play for prospective lawyers, medical courses and even service workshops for the catering industry. Successful examples of these applications and more already exist in the virtual world.

At the Online Educa in Berlin, Bokowsky + Laymann will be at the Linden Lab stand. The company will present its current projects for educational organisations like the Bavarian State library, the Goethe-Institut and the Académie Accor Germany.

Learn German with the Goethe-Institut
In the German-speaking world, the Goethe-Institut counts as one of the pioneers of education in virtual worlds. Bokowsky + Laymann produced and designed the Goethe Island in Second Life. The island not only proposes videos and cultural activities but, for the last few months, has also proposed trial German lessons and a daily moderated German conversation get-together in the virtual café. Avatars from around the world meet regularly for a chat or voice chat in an informal environment to improve their German language skills. Whilst the German classes on offer are taught using the same systematic language teaching method used successfully around the world by the Goethe-Institut, the focus of the moderated German conversation meetings in the Goethe Café is on creating a more informal setting; its easy to improve existing language skills in a friendly conversational environment. “The Goethe-Institut is using Second Life to examine the possibilities that 3D communities can offer in terms of intercultural dialogue and language acquisition”, says Klaus Brehm, who is in charge of the Goethe-Instituts internet activities. “We want to use this experience to develop a future plan that is tailor made to the requirements of Second Life users.”

Online-Educa
The ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN is the world’s largest e-learning conference and attracts companies, educational establishments and the public sector. This annual event is the most important gathering of the international e-learning industry and a unique forum for experts from around the world to discuss technology-supported higher and further education. This year, the event will take place in Berlin from 3 to 5 December.

About Bokowsky + Laymann
Bokowsky + Laymann has been busy creating virtual environments for companies and organisations since the beginning of 2006. Besides marketing, the areas of higher and further education have become increasingly important. Linking classic web-based tools and collaboration in the internal communication of multinational companies promises interesting future prospects. We are looking back on a successful 10-years history in the Internet industry.

About the Goethe-Institut
The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. Among its objectives are to promote knowledge of the German language abroad and to foster international cultural exchange. The Goethe-Institut also seeks to convey a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany's cultural, social and political life.

Contact:
Bokowsky + Laymann GmbH
Friedrichstraße 1
D-80801 München
secondlife@bokowsky.de
http://secondlife.bokowsky.net

Phone: +49 (0) 89 / 33 00 869-5
Fax: +49 (0) 89 / 33 00 869-9

Second Life:
Bokowsky Island
IM Marissa Bergbahn