Monday, June 30
1:30 PM-5:00 PM
UTC
FH 2 (2nd Fl)

Getting Started in the Virtual World Second Life: A New Venue for Education (bring your laptop)

Workshop ID: 22618
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    Carolyn Lowe
    Northern Michigan University
  2. Donald Bickley
    Northern Michigan University
  3. John Lowe
    Northern Michigan University

Abstract: Many universities, agencies, organizations and businesses are entering the virtual world of Second Life, many for the purpose of education. Second Life is not a game. It is, instead, an international virtual world created and built by those who participate. There aremany opportunities for socializing, building, creating, designing, collaborating and education. Educational practices in Second Life are amazingly rich, interactive and exciting, and vary from a classroom for a “face-to-face” distance education course to very interactive educational activities. As a creator and builder of an island of interactive content in science and classroom setting, as well as an instructor of many distance education and hybrid courses, I, along with my co-presenter, have learned efficient ways to get up and running quickly in Second Life. In this workshop, we will walk the participants through creating a free account and avatar, learning to maneuver and use some basic tools. We will also develop a support and social group in Second Life for these participants along with a box of free virtual materials.

Objectives

The objectives of this workshop are to: Introduce interested parties to the concept of a virtual and specifically to the virtual world “Second Life” Provide and explain with visuals a basic glossary of terms one needs to know in order to be effective Provide hand’s on direct instruction on registering for a free account , downloading the software and entering the world. Provide step-by-step instruction and personal assistance in the basics of Second Life including: Maneuvering Altering avatar appearance Searching and Exploring Meeting and conversing with other avatars Provide cautions and explanations of experiences which may not be desirable to some participants. Provide participants with an area in the virtual world where they can meet, converse, change clothes, and call home. Create a group specifically for participants so they can contact us for help or share with us and other participants, activities, help, or ideas of great places to visit. Provide participants with a gift box of free virtual materials.

Topical Outline

I. Introduction A. Introduce myself and co-presenter, and Second Life B. Introduce participants to educational venues within Second Life II. Nuts and bolts How-to instructions A. Discuss the structure, physical and virtual, of the environment of Second Life B. Discuss hardware how to create an account. C. Introduce participants to the language (glossary) of Second Life III. Getting Started A. Have participants download software B. Participants will then create an account with our assistance. 1. Create an avatar 2. Enter the orientation area 3. Learn basic maneuvering 4. Exit Second Life and, using a provided entry point (SLURL), reenter in a new orientation area IV. Basic Training A. Participants will learn about: 1. Preferences 2. Camera usage 3. Various functions of “right click” 4. Notecards 5. Landmarks 6. Maps 7. Search B. Making a better avatar: Participants learn basic ways to alter avatar appearance 1. Shape and 2. Clothing V. Group work: Participants are divided into groups and work on a variety of different activities. A. Maneuvering part II: Participants will 1. Learn to use the camera efficiently 2. Practice on an obstacle course we built to help them learn to walk in a more coordinated manner. 3. Learn more about flying and teleporting. 4. be introduced to a social area where there are opportunities use various animations B. Communication part II: participants will experiment with: 1. Chat 2. IM 3. Voice 4. Gestures 5. Virtual “good manners” C. Using and creating materials: participants will: 1. Open boxes 2. Use, search and organize their inventory 3. Learn to create a simple structure and place a texture on it 4. Create and share with the group a notecard. D. Exploring, interacting, and search: participants will: 1. Go on a virtual scavenger hunt throughout educational and interesting areas in Second Life ending with a “prize” for all participants – a box of useful virtual materials. VI. VI CLOSURE A. Participants will rejoin the group for a brief closure B. Question and Answer period

Prerequisites

This presentation is for anyone interested in entering the virtual world Second Life or participants who may be involved but at such a basic level that they would like hands-on help in improving their experience. In particular, this presentation will focus on getting started and on educational uses of virtual worlds.

Experience Level

Beginner

Qualifications

I am the recipient of a grant for the purpose of purchasing, creating, developing and building an educational island (the island of Biome) in the virtual world of Second Life to be utilized by courses in general and science education at Northern Michigan University. I have also been awarded a year-long (2008-2009) sabbatical for the purpose of creating educational content on this and other islands in Second Life. I have an extensive background and expertise in the use of technology in education as acknowledged by Northern Michigan University when I was honored with the 2006 TLC award for the Use of Technology in Teaching. Presentations and workshops listed below. Recipient of the College of Professional Studies grant for the purpose of enhancing teaching and learning, 2007-2008. Awarded year-long sabbatical for the purpose of developing educational materials in Second Life Recipient of Northern Michigan University’s 2006 TLC award for innovative use of technology in teaching. Lowe, C. (August, 2007). Chatroom management. Roundtable facilitation at the 23rd Annual Meeting for Distance Learning and Teaching, Madison, WI. Lowe, C. (March, 2007). Living and Working in Space: Habitat. Full day symposia sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA0 and the National Science Teachers Association, St. Louis, MO. Lowe, C. and Klett, M. (2006, August). Distance learning resources for the K-12 classroom. Half-day workshop presented at the 22nd Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning. Madison, WI. Lowe, C. (2005, November). Using online classrooms to support the regular science class. Workshop presented at the Annual Area Converence of the National Science Teachers Association. Chicago, IL.
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