Pros+and+Cons+of+Second+Life+and+Alice

From this list, we decided our final project would work well in Second Life, but for our prototype we would work in Alice.


 * Second Life**


 * Pros:**
 * Offers many possibilities to develop worlds and learning tools for multiple situations.
 * Allows other users to connect with the global community. So collaboration is evident with Second Life.
 * Second Life's emphasis on creating worlds actually helps students develop their own technological skills.
 * Emphasizes experiential learning.
 * Allows users to create worlds and situations that cannot be created in real life and in safe condition (i.e. the PTSD SL).
 * Allows better interaction/interactivity.


 * Cons:**
 * Not all students are interested in Second Life.
 * Can be creepy. People following you around and so on.
 * Lack of gestures hinder meaningful communication. Body language quality issues.
 * Must have the right technology in order to access Second Life.
 * Hard to control class if they go off task (i.e. wander off during a lecture, transporting to another location, etc,.).


 * Alice**


 * Pros:**
 * Easy to use and create worlds with little practice.
 * Simple interface will not overwhelm students.
 * Easy to replicate ideas.


 * Cons:**
 * Not very realistic (graphics)
 * Limited choice of backgrounds and/or items. So creative ideas possibly hindered by lack of certain items/graphics within Alice.
 * Not enough collaboration or communication with the global community.
 * Students maybe turned off by the lack of "flash and cutting edge technology" that they are so used to.