Though the long-term usefulness of Second Life for academic purposes remains a hot debate topic, researchers and educators maintain interest. An interesting Campus Technology interview talks to Drexel University professor Jean-Claude Bradley, e-learning coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences, about Drexel's Second Life presence. Bradley was one of the skeptics at first, but found himself using Second Life to support his Introduction to Organic Chemistry course, and he offers some very grounded and pragmatic feedback on his experience, discussing what has worked for him -- as well has what hasn't.

From the interview:

"JCB: ...The really important part about it is, it's a social site. So my students get to meet other students ... and teachers from around the world. And the content attracts a consistent [caliber] of person, people of like mind. That's very powerful.

CT: What's an example of something that doesn't work?

JCB: Video doesn't work that well, in my opinion. You're better off just using iTunes.... It's hard to tell if everything is working properly for everyone. I just don't like to use it. And with the viewer [software] I've used, you can't fast-forward. I've put a few of my lectures in Second Life, but [the rest] are on my wiki.

If I really wanted to, I could make sure everything is working, but it's just not worth that extra effort."

Bradley explains the success he's had using Second Life with his 175 students, and some of the drawbacks he's faced, in the complete interview.