This paper reports and discusses on the initial stage of a study aiming to explore the relationship between students’ learning styles and their acceptance of using Second Life (SL) for learning. Par- ticipants in this study involved a small group of undergraduate students (N = 17) taking a Visual Arts course called ‘Digital Imaging’ at a university in Hong Kong. They were asked to create and showcase their own digital artwork in SL. Furthermore, they were also required to present their work and critique peers’ work in SL. Their learning styles were measured by the Index of Learning Styles (ILS), whereas their acceptance of Second Life for learning was evaluated by a questionnaire designed by the author. Preliminary findings of this study reveal that most participants were identified as visual learners (i.e. the ones who prefer to see in graphical/video representation). However, active learners (i.e. the ones who prefer to try something out to see how it works) were found more likely to accept the educational use of SL.
[Copyright © 2012 SciRes.]

Virtual worlds are a phenomenon raising interest among educators around the globe, with more than 500 educational institutions experimenting with, or offering classes in, the virtual world of Second Life. While many educators are excited about the potential of virtual worlds, others are wary or skeptical. Some consider them as upmarket games, while others are afraid they will degrade student learning. Virtual worlds are certainly not a panacea for higher education, and they present many challenges for students, teachers, and administrators. This article describes how Second Life has been used for teaching and learning in a hospitality and tourism school in Hong Kong. It discusses some of the opportunities, challenges, and problems of using this virtual environment and analyzes data collected from students and teachers who used Second Life for learning and teaching in four diverse courses. The article concludes by suggesting strategies and techniques for using virtual worlds effectively in hospitality and tourism education.
[Copyright of Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15313220802634224]