CSCL Techniques in Collaborative Virtual Environments: The Case of Second Life - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 150

Figure 3. An avatar using voice chat

◦ In Local Chat, the phrase,

“[AvatarName] wants to speak”
appears

◦ When the coordinator determines that

the previous speaker has completed
his/her argument, he/she assigns the
“Speaker role” (see above section) by
clicking on the student's name

◦ The speakers name is highlighted in
green
◦ In Local Chat the phrase, “Now
speaking [AvatarName]” appears
C. “ Query” Visualization Tool : This tool vi-
sualizes users wanting to make a question,
in a discreet manner, without disturbing
group or class meetings, by using a metaphor
on the avatar's appearance (Figure 4). So,
when a user wishes to visualize his/her re-
quest, he/she just types three question marks
in local chat (i.e., ???); from that moment
and for 60 seconds, discreet, yet distinguish-
able, question marks will emerge from the
avatar's head. This tool was embedded in
the Student Voice HUD and is implemented
using the LSL (Linden Scripting Language).
D. “ Idea Blink” Visualization Tool : The “Idea
Blink” Visualization Tool functions in a
similar way to the “Query” visualization
tool, when a student has an idea he/she can
easy express it by typing three exclamation
marks in Local Chat (i.e., !!!). Light bulbs
with the word “idea” emerge from the
avatar's head for 60 seconds. This tool was
also embedded in the Student Voice HUD
and is implemented using the LSL (Linden
Scripting Language).
E. Armchairs : These armchairs were placed
in the Fish Bowl classroom. These chairs
automatically adjust their colour to the colour
of the user's Jigsaw group, when user sits
in them.

◦ Speaking avatar obtains the Speaker
Label and a virtual microphone object
B. Now Speaking : The “Now Speaking” tool is
used in combination with the “Student Voice”
tool in order to achieve better coordination
for the online group meetings in SL. The tool
was implemented with the HUD technique
and is intended to be worn by the person(s)
who has/have been assigned the discussion
coordinator role. What exactly happens from
the coordinator's side when a student asks
to speak is presented below:

◦ The user's name is highlighted in yel-

low, on the HUD table that includes
all participating students (with their
real and SL names)