The use of virtual worlds in the distance education consulting services: Second life sample

During the historical development of computer games, their use for educational purposes has stood in the forefront. Although there have been theoretical studies on computer games, the inadequency of the studies containing sample applications used for educational purposes has been a problem.In view of this problem, a research including the use of Second Life virtual world environment in consulting services in distance education has been done. 1st year students taking the course Operating Systems from Anadolu University Information Management Department Assocaite Degree Program attended this study. At the end of the application lasting approxiamtely 6 months, within the scopes of the surveys given to the students the problems and experiences of the students were determined.At the end of this study, taking the experinces and problems of the learners in the application process and the instruction designer in the creation process into consideration, some proposals have been made for the insrtuction designers, managers of the institutons and researchers who may think of developing similar applications and doing a research on this subject.