Application Of The3D Virtual Learning Environment Of Second Life In English Education

Language learning is inseparable from the learning environment. The advances ofinformation technology have improved the second language learning environmentgreatly. It changes the traditional, monotonous, and limited English learningenvironment into a network of integration, and a diversified environment. As areality-simulating technology, the3D virtual learning environment is athree-dimensional virtual space of the world which is produced by interation ofcomputer technologies. It allows users to feel personally on the scene with their visual,auditory, tactile and some other sensories. The application and development of3Dvirtual technology in the field of educational field enrich the existing forms of teachingand learning in the education system. Second Life—as the most representative platformof3D virtual environment—has been widely concerned by scholars because they seethe prospect of its being applied in English learning. It integrates virtual realitytechnology with education. The simulating, vivid, and relaxed learning environment thatit creates is helpful to the acquisition, consolidation, migration and improvement oflearning. As a new teaching environment, Second Life brings many advantages forEnglish language learners. Meanwhile，it also engenders controversy over mode,teaching philosophy, learning systems and other aspects. Based on the analysis of thepopularity of Second Life in the world, this paper intends to study how it is applied inthe field of English education in China at the present stage and the existing problems.Some suggestions will be discussed for solution of the problems.This paper summarizes an analysis of the effectiveness and necessity of3Dnetwork technology in the field of education, which is based on the historicalbackground, educational background and practical background. Hoping that throughdescribing3D virtual learning environment and by discussing the problems andbottlenecks faced, will force more scholars, educators and researchers to understand thiskind of new learning environment and put it into the teaching practice. Through thestudy of literature, it summarizes the domestic and foreign research situation on Second Life’s education potential at present，and makes the conclusion of the achievements. Thewhole article is based on the theory of constructivism, experiential learning theory,situated cognition theory and second language acquisition theory, which holds a specificdiscussion about its potential on education one by one. The Questionnaire survey showsthat Chinese scholars generally learn English in the two-dimensional environmentwhich is based on the pictures, voice and videos, and there are scarcely a few Englishlearners to have a deeper understanding and practice on the3D virtual learningenvironment. It also shows that only a few teachers and researchers in China apply theSL to teaching practice in English subject. This shows that applying SL in the field ofEnglish education in our country is not popular，and the reason of this situation can beattributed to three aspects：its own defects，the students’ deficiency in learning，andteachers’ insensibility. And based on this basis，the discussion about the feasibility ofthe strategy can be represented by its3D virtual learning environment and have thewidespread and effective use in the field of English teaching in China，help scholarsplay its advantage as a learning environment better，improve the insufficient，implement“their good qualities are to be followed, and their shortcomings are to be avoided”，andimprove the teaching mode，improve the quality of English teaching and learning.