The Benefits and Unanticipated Challenges in the Use of 3D Virtual Learning Environments in the Undergraduate Media Arts Curriculum - Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments - page 249

Figure 11. Student use of Web 2.0 and 3D virtual world environments

Table 2. Effectiveness of social interactions in Second Life

DIM EPI

Statement (1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree) Mean Mean

Effectiveness of social interaction in Second Life
I was able to receive feedback from others right away in Second Life

3.00 2.88

I was able to tailor messages to my own personal circumstances in Second Life 3.32 2.88

I was able to convey multiple types of information in Second Life 3.00 2.89

I was able to transmit varied symbols (words, gestures, images) in Second Life 3.24 3.24

I was able to design messages to meet my own requirements in Second Life 3.00 2.89

I felt as if I was communicating with a real person in Second Life 2.87 2.74

I was able to be expressive in Second Life 2.87 3.06

I was able to develop a closeness with others in Second Life 2.14 2.24

I created social networks in Second Life 2.23 1.94

I had immediate responses to my comments and questions in Second Life 3.23 3.13

The chat tool in Second Life was useful to my learning 3.19 3.00

The learning activity encouraged contact between myself and my classmates 2.88 2.42

My classmates and I cooperated in completing assignments in Second Life 3.53 2.28

Average for all criteria 2.96 2.74