Google maps and Second Life: Virtual platforms meet information literacy

摘要

As the old saying goes "timing is everything," and it was timing that brought together Second Life (SL), Google Maps, first-year writing students, and Malcolm X. Following a staff development workshop on the virtual world of SL, a partnership formed between a writing instructor and librarians. The Moraine Valley Library's Google Maps and Second Life Project was an opportunity to engage students, and explore how student work could be incorporated across online platforms. The resulting product of this project highlights the advantages and disadvantages of these emerging technologies. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was the college's 2007-2008 One Book, One College selection, was used as a text for the writing course. This course was a first-year writing course that was part of the college's Honors Program, which focuses on better-prepared students in the transfer side of the curriculum.