UT using virtual land for learning

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The University of Texas spent more than $100,000 on virtual land in the world of Second Life. The online, 3D interactive virtual reality program is making it's way into dozens of classrooms at the university.

In the world of Second Life, an Art History class could visit the virtual replica of the Sistine Chapel, something that would not be financially possible in the real world.

"We can say- 'how much would it cost to take a class to the Sistine Chapel?'" said UT training specialist Mario Guerra. "That probably wouldn't happen."

Everything in Second Life is created by its users which is one reason why University of Texas professors are using the technology to teach.

"You can see an architecture class can come in and start working on building stuff," said Guerra. "Engineers, design students building art galleries, all types of these experiences."

Professors and students at UT have built virtual classrooms on islands owned by the university. One oceanography classroom was constructed under water, where students could witness what happens, for example, during a tsunami.

Each island in Second Life costs the university close to $700, but most of them were funded by a Transforming Undergraduate Education grant, which comes from the Permanent University Fund endowment. The total grant was for $121,000. That money is separate from the state budget, which Governor Perry ordered University officials to cut by 5 percent. Those cuts will result in tuition increases and the proposed closing of the Cactus Cafe.

"There's no more building classrooms now there's no more brick and mortar costs, now we're virtually creating these classrooms which costs next to nothing," said Guerra.

UT is also responsible for a $1,700-a-year maintenance fee on each island, but Associate Dean Robert Bruce said the University is still investigating how they will continue to use the technology in the future.

"How will faculty really be using technology to supplement the classroom," said Bruce. "It doesn't take the place of it- I did want to stress that- but faculty members can use this type of technology to enhance it."

Texas State and Texas A&M are also using the program as part of their curriculum, along with Ivy League schools like Harvard, MIT and Princeton.