From jokaydia: Exploring Virtual Worlds and Games in Education

Exploring Second Life at the Learning Technologies Conference 2007

Presentation by Jo Kay aka jokay Wollongong

The following information has been collated for participants of the Learning Technologies 2007 Coference, 14 - 16 November, 2007 in Mooloolaba, Queensland.

Worshop: Virtual Worlds & 3D Online Education

Get a Second Life! - Exploring the educational possibilities of a virtual world

• Time: 3 - 4:30pm, 14th Nov 2007
• Venue: Mooloolaba Campus of Sunshine Coast TAFE.
  

Second Life is an online 3D virtual world developed by San Francisco-based Linden Lab. It provides an immersive environment where users are able to create a digital character or 'avatar' and interact with people from around the world. Second Life also provides a platform for interactions and experiences which allow business, public, education and not-for-profit organisations to connect with their clients and communties in exciting new ways.

Jo Kay aka jokay Wollongong, one of Australia's well-known Second Life residents, lead a hands-on workshop which is focussed on exploring some of the leading educational projects currently happening there. Participants will have the opportunity to meet virtually with a number of educators who are currently working in Second Life, and will gain insights into strategies for using this exciting new environment for teaching and learning.

Please note: Participants are encouraged to register and setup their own avatar via the Second Life website and explore the 'Getting Started in Second Life' resources provided BEFORE the workshop if they wish to participate in the hands on activities.

Slides from the Presentation

Second Life Resources

• Second Life: Your World. Your Imagination.: http://secondlife.com/
• Teen Second Life: A Virtual World for Teens: http://teen.secondlife.com/
• Second Life: Postcard Map: http://secondlife.com/apps/mapapps/homepage_map

Educational Resources

• Second Life in Education Wiki: http://sleducation.wikispaces.com
• SimTeach Wiki: http://www.simteach.com/wiki
• SL Educators’ Mailing List: https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/educators
• Second Life Best Practices in Education International Conference Wiki: http://slbestpractices2007.wikispaces.com
• The Story of My Second Life: Teen Projects as @ 4 May 2007: http://www.storyofmysecondlife.com/?p=153

Featured Videos

• Introduction to Second Life (high resolution): http://www.blip.tv/file/74378/
• YouTube - Ohio University Second Life Campus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFuNFRie8wA
• YouTube - NOAA's Virtual Island: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is8YX32GAyQ
• YouTube - Architecture on the Double: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7bXu2ozXo0&eurl=
• Machinima.com: Silver Bells and Golden Spurs: http://www.machinima.com/films.php?id=2079
• Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative: http://www.holymeatballs.org/2006/10/pod_camp_global_kids_video.html

Places to Visit in Second Life

• Spaceflight Museum: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Spaceport Alpha/48/78/25
• Regina Spektor: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Slackstreet/197/12/29
• Prim Hearts Amusement Park: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Prim Hearts/47/67/27
• Nexus Prime: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gibson/192/233/106
• Studio Shores - Machinima by Silver and Goldie: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Studio%20Shores/210/80/146/