Managing a Class in Second Life

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2011-03-31T08:48:00.001-05:00

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2011-02-22T09:36:00.002-06:00

welcome to my Electronic Portfolio

2010-11-09T06:31:00.002-06:00

2010-10-08T08:06:00.003-05:00

Holodecks and holy cow

2009-07-10T08:05:00.002-05:00

The recent presentation on holodecks was, in the words of my teens, totally awesome. I've seen and played in holodecks and skyboxes in the past few weeks of SL experience, but learning more about their capabilities and utilities as a learning space was a really exciting. For those who don't own land or have access to a building or other "anchored" space in SL, the holodeck can be a useful tool. In particular, I was thinking that using the holodeck as a virtual meeting space for student committees or study groups would be fun and easily managed by either a group member or a faculty advisor.
A holodecks' obvious function as a classroom environment was reinforced and gave hope to 'noobs' that there is something we can create without worrying about real estate ownership at this point.
Dede Longfall

Orientation methods for sl class

2009-07-09T10:44:00.003-05:00

My time in sl has been very exciting and educational so far. I would want any orientation for my students to be reflective of my experiences in sl. Of course, students must first learn how to move around in sl and communicate, so that is the first step as we all know. After the students learn the basics and feel comfortable enough to "travel", I think its imperative to give students listing of landmarks or notecards which have places where they can go and really see the value and benefit of sl. We all know that sl can be quite distracting and not all islands are ideal for learning or enrichment. If students can refer to a listing of locations that illustrate the true potential of sl, then they are more than likely to have a good impression of this environment. It would be nice to instruct the students to visit certain locations and then report their findings. This exercise not only will allow them to practice their skills as far as movement in sl is concerened, but will also give them a chance to interact with others outside of the "class".

Quick impressions and questions as a “student” in Second Life—“Working with a class in Second Life”

2009-07-07T15:47:00.001-05:00

After attending my first class in SL, I looked back on some of the quick notes I jotted while listening to Dr. Carter. While not perfect, these are the things that popped into my head while in the class.
Oh my, look at all the people! People? Sure, we all look pretty human. I wonder what regular students would do their avatars. Having moved around SL a lot over the past month, and seen many things “out of the norm” for Real Life (RL), the normalcy of this group strikes me as comforting!
Wow, I can see where this would be perfect for homebound, disabled or distance students. The interaction is much like any classroom, barring the occasional VOIP mess up. Facing more than a blank computer screen and a voice from the speakers or an IM screen is really nice.
There are students talking in class, messing with their stuff and some of the (avatars) people, even “go to sleep”. Just like real life!
The surroundings are very clear, very “real” and quite engaging. It feels so much like being in a real classroom one can forget the electronic nature and listen to what is being said even with the digital distractions.
The embedded PowerPoint presentation is cool.
As a librarian I can see that working with an instructor on class focus will be important. Not just being available for local Reference chat, but if I’m to “build” a library for the class, then I’ll need to know how the instructor wants to present the ancillary materials. Will s/he provide the links to outside sources for media or video? Will they provide materials in proper format for accessibility? How often do they want my real time presence?
How is the instructor going to use SL? Will this be strictly a class only use of SL?
Will the students need to find related materials in SL? How will those SL materials work in a Research setting? Are they to use the same criteria for evaluating a website for an SL site?
Dede Longfall

Remain Calm

2009-05-24T12:43:00.007-05:00

The subject I teach online causes a great deal of anxiety among students because it is so tech-heavy. During the semester they must learn to negotiate about a half-dozen online professional tools, each of which has weird and frustrating interface problems. (Adding Second Life to this mix is problematic for that reason alone, but that's the topic for another post.) As a result, my mantra for students is "Remain calm," and I have developed a lot of orientation materials to walk them through each new tool. It might look as if I am reinventing the wheel because there are many tutorials and PowerPoints floating around for these professional systems, but none of them strikes the right tone for anxious graduate students who need to concentrate on higher-level pedagogical tasks.

When I consider introducing my students to Second Life, the problems are identical. While I found many of the suggestions for orientation in session one valuable for my future course development, the solutions are dependent on students already being signed up in Second Life, and they presuppose an undergraduate time schedule with several synchronous encounters per week.

My approach would start before they sign up with a series of simple documents that give an executive summary of Second Life. They are aimed at working adults who need to have a sense of control over technology to gain confidence. So far I have only completed the page titled "Second Life: The Big Picture," but that should be enough for you to understand my plan. I have set them up as CC licensed documents so others will be able improve on them.

Ideal Pedagogical Model in SL

2009-05-20T15:30:00.003-05:00

Ok, here are some ideas for this posting. My ideal pedagogical model for teaching in Second Life is one of collaboration and networking. I do not currently teach a class either in RL nor in SL. With that said, I have done a number of professional development trainings, as well as, quite a few graduate courses in technology, I can only speak to my experiences and how I might transfer what I know best about teaching and learning to this new environment! I believe that a combination of some effective models for instruction could be implemented in SL. Our current instructor provides us with much lecture and presentation in a textual and visual format. We also do a bit of group sharing. These methodologies are very good for students to participate in initially.
My audience for teaching in Second Life would be teachers and/or future teachers. If a group of veteran teachers were to take a class from me in Second Life, I would want to center activities around collaboration and networking. We all know that when instructors get together the power of collaborating and their collective ideas are enhanced. Doing so in Second Life should be no different then in real life.
Much as we use these same methods in RL, they can be utilized in SL. It would be most beneficial to utilize all the resources available both in world and out. With that said, some of the activities might require the use of research tools on the Internet, and also the collaboration tools of blogs, wikis and other web 2.0 programs.

Ok, there are more ideas for this post, but have to get back to work for now. See you all online in Virtual Harlem.

An orientation experience for the newly rezzed.

2009-05-19T13:01:00.001-05:00

An orientation experience that I have actually developed and plan to implement is a bit sophomoric, but may be a fun experience for the newly rezzed. My idea is to throw a party as an icebreaker and SL proficiency enhancer for San Jose State University – School of Library Information Studies.

Granted, an individual should and must attend the orientation opportunities offered by the organizations that have an instructional or information presence here in SL. However, to reinforce skills and to become more comfortable with movement, item manipulation, and chatting; attending some sort of gathering will build confidence.

The function I have planned will be held on the San Jose State University SL campus and it can realistically be described as a “Kegger.” In my travels around SL I have found animated items, made by cleaver people that dispense cups of beer and cans of beverages. The beer is doled out by touching a tapped keg of beer, accepting the item and then placing it onto your avatar from your inventory. You are animated to drink about 25 times from a cup and then it disappears from your avi’s hand. You can replace it from inventory and be good for another round of gulps. I also have found a cooler full of cans of beer and soda. The cooler works in the same manner. Touch the cooler, accept the item and move it from inventory onto you avi.
Now any responsible host should provide food and I will provide popcorn and burgers. Again, I have found some very cleaver items that dispense fun items to make for a fun party. However, an outstanding host provides entertainment. If a person looks around at all, they will find that music and dancing is a very pervasive element of SL. Its content ranges from the genteel to the mature. There is canned, piped-in music, DJs, and live performers. My kegger will have a DJ and a means to animate the avatars to dance.

I am posting this article to the class blog just a few days before the scheduled day of the party. I am hopeful that it will be well attended and entertaining. I have had Jeremy Kemp, professor at San Jose, post to the schools mailing list, I have posted to the discussion boards in the online classes I attend, and I have passed out personal invitations to SL friends and acquaintances. I wish to have a mix of novice and accomplished abilities in attendance so that people can share and learn, and above all, have fun.

How I Would Use Second Life in My Classes

2009-05-18T20:30:00.002-05:00

I will address my current Second Life course. This class is an online class in a Master's of Science in Computer Education online program, thus my students are mainly K-12 classroom teachers with about 5% in various corporate situations. The class is titled Virtual Worlds in Education, because some of the students will not have powerful enough graphic cards or enough RAM to participate in Second Life. I have divided the class into two groups - those who can participate in Second Life and those who can't (Option A and Option B).

The two groups begin together learning about the history, philosophy, and pedagogy of using virutal worlds in education. Then they separate into the two groups.

OPTION A students continue the remainder of the course totally immersed in Second Life. They work through the Global Kids Second Life Curriculum as the class continues exploring and participating in planned adventures and activities in Second Life. I have created numerous activities where they learn the basics of building, creating note cards, landmarks, URL holders, and SLURLs, setting up and using AV materials, integrating wikis with Second Life, creating t-shirts and sweatshirts, using AutoScript to create interactive objects, etc. As this continues, we meet approximately 5 times for class meetings in Second Life. Our avatars discuss and share their progress, questions, problems, "Aha moments," etc. I also use this chance to introduce some of the more difficult or complex topics and activities and I take them on one or two field trips to sites I think have potential for them and/or they will enjoy. Since the meetings are only one hour, I work hard at keeping things moving so they are not bored or wishing they were somewhere else. In all of the activities and assignments, I try hard to model as many teaching strategies using Second Life as I can. We also do a lot of reading, viewing, and reflecting on many Second Life topics and issues while learning how to live in the new world.

After all of the learning activities, we put all the pieces together by completing three major projects:

(1) We work as a group to create a group project, since this may be a strategy they will use with their own students. The basic rules I provide are: They are each given a 9'x9'x9' basic cube to use for their "booth" at a class exhibit. In accordance to the theme they select, each student will create their own exhibit, then place the booths along our main walkway so viewers can examine the productions. I also give them a set of "requirements" that must be included in the booth and the scoring guide that will be used to judge them. I will invite outside guests to judge the booths, and the three top winners will receive Second Life "prizes."

(2) Each student is given a piece of land on which to create a unique educational environment in Second Life. They have to create a lesson plan for their students that emphasizes an activity that can only be taught in Second Life. I emphasize that throughout the class in order to encourage unique topics, unique methods, and unique environments. The student has to present an abbreviated demonstration of the lesson to their classmates at our "Celebration" at the end of the course.

(3) This was the final activity of the course - and was an "accidental" assignment. We found ourselves discussing the main problems of Second Life a lot during the course. By problem I mean how the students would get access to Second Life for their own students - funding, technology, etc. The final project was to create a PowerPoint or website to use to "sell" the use of Second Life to their Superintendent, School Board, Principal, Boss, etc. The students all agreed that sharing these presentations would benefit them all when it came time to actually do it.

OPTION B will depend a lot on how many students will be participating. The content will be the same, but the level of interaction could change. Basic plans for them are:

Examine and participate in multiple virtual worlds that do not have any major technology requirements. They will participate, reflect, compare and contrast, and design educational activities for each one for their target audience.

They will all spend two weeks with Webkinz. (I provide a free Webkinz account for each student for the duration of the class.) They will create lessons for the appropriate age groups based on the World of Webkinz. (This past semester, I had one student teaching special needs 6th graders and they were all totally immersed in WebKinz for the entire semester. The principal and parents had great things to say about behavior changes, attitudes, achievements, etc.)

They will also read the book, Living Virtually (ISBN 978-1-4331-0130-4). This is a collection of papers edited by Don Heider. There are several that I will have them "present" to the Option A students, since they will not have time for this, but will be interested in it because the topics I'll choose concern Second Life issues.

As a final project, each one will choose the virtual world of choice, and create their own Educational Plan using that virtual world.

The above is just an over-all summary of the main course activities.

I taught high school English for 30 years. If I were still in the classroom, I would love to use Second Life in both literature and writing. Instead of doing all of the teaching in Second Life, I would use Second Life as a form of assessment or as an extension activity for the curriculum - probably one per quarter. I think younger students would appreciate that type of use more than the more regular use, since it's always nice to "leave them wanting more." I would really enjoy using this with 9th graders, as I can think of numerous curricular activities that could really use this excitement and motivation.

Must Have for Educators

2009-03-23T22:20:00.001-05:00

Thanks to all who offered suggestions! I think I’ve got a good, medium-sized collection of landmarks to help new faculty find some starting points without overwhelming them with too much to do.

Several folks asked if I would post the final list to the listerv, but I think it’s probably better to post the SLURL, so you can pickup the notecards. Please pardon our mess, as we’re doing a bit of remodeling!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching/77/85/21/

Best Practices Conference This Weekend

2009-03-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

We need your support!!!
Please register and come to the conference
Please post to your blog, twitter and FaceBook your friends, groups and colleagues about the conference
AND if you know anyone in the press....please forward the release to them and let me know so that I can follow up

We’re gathering “In-World" and you are invited to join us!

Representatives from hundreds of educational institutions and related fields will gather in Second Life for a three-day global conference March 27-29 to demonstrate the potential that virtual worlds offer to transform education and how students of today and tomorrow can become active participants in their learning (see release below).

Many of the presenters in the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference (http://wiki.vwbpe.org/index.php?title=Main_Page) are involved in existing education groups in Second Life and/or have established campuses, libraries and course-related projects for university and K-12 students in virtual world spaces.

This is the largest education conference of its kind organized to take place completely “in-world,” with more than 70 presentations planned over the course of three days. Presenters are from Canada, U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Portugal, France, UK, Spain, etc. Students from The Open University, Harvard, Texas State, and Stanford are just a few of the many universities and colleges that have virtual education environments on Second Life, where students can meet, attend classes, and create content together. (http://secondlifegrid.net/slfe/education-use-virtual-world)

For additional information , please visit: (http://www.vwbpe.org)

For interviews and information on how you can participate in or cover this conference, please contact:

Marty Keltz, (SL: marty snowpaw) Vice-Chair Programming, VWBPE
1+416-587-3381
Marty.Keltz@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARE VIRTUAL WORLDS THE CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE?

2009 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference (VWBPE) Bringing together Educators from around the World in Second Life®, March 27-29.
______________

March 17, 2009 -- Virtual world educational environments may not replace real classrooms (yet), but they are becoming integral to the future of education, say the organizers of the 2009 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference (www.vwbpe.org) to be held in Second Life®, March 27-29. Conference keynote speakers and panels will focus on how virtual world environments can help today’s learners become all they can be and build the work force of tomorrow.

“We are a global grass roots community that is collaborating and co-sharing knowledge about the role of virtual world environments in education today,” said, Marlene Brooks of Memorial University, CA (Zana Kohime, SL) program chair of the conference. “Our goal at the conference in Second Life® is to use virtual worlds as the centerpiece for discussion of the questions that impact all of our futures: What is education? What is teaching? What is learning?”

The three-day conference will be an opportunity for virtual communities from around the world to showcase projects, courses, events, and present research that lead to best practices in education. From presentations on the architecture of designing a virtual classroom and campus to projects that engage middle school students with math, science and languages to the award-winning 3D-Wiki technology created in Second Life used to design a medical clinic in Nepal, the VWBPE conference is dedicated to furthering the creation of innovative, interactive and immersive environments.

Keynote speakers (see attached list) and panelists for the conference represent a wide range of institutions, leading universities as well as K-12 school systems that use Second Life ® as part of their educational programs.

The Virtual World Best Practices in Education (VWPBE) conference originated from the 2007 Second Life® Best Practices in Education Conference. Educators are one of the most vibrant and growing groups in Second Life® with an outreach to more than 6,000 SL residents.

For additional information and interviews, please contact;
Marty Keltz (Marty Snowpaw, SL, Vice-Chair, Program Committee)
1-416-587-3381
Email: marty.keltz@gmail.com

To register, please visit: http://vwbpe09.eventbrite.com Registration is free to all conference attendees.

_______________________________________________
Educators mailing list
To unsubscribe
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/educators

Freebies!!! Check this out everyone!!

2009-03-23T17:11:00.000-05:00

General Freebie Place:
The Free Dove: Gallii(101,87,32)
Freebie Jeebies: Bloom County(69,93,23)
The Gnubie Store: Indigo(198,63,38)
Sarah Nerd's Freebie Paradise: NineInchNerds(126, 111, 23)

Complete Avatar Kits:
Calla: Callatropia(142,159,24)
Inspired: Sibine(51,40,51)
Nyte'N'Day: Couture Isle (152, 174, 52)
SugarCube: Blumfield (204, 79, 27)

Accessories:
Argyle: Wingo(94,72,50) (Scarf)
ALady Female Skins & Shapes: Alady Island(53,49,22) (prim lashes)
Beyond the Veil: Chamisak(76,38,66) (veils)
BooN: Zapico (39, 154, 35) (face lamp)
Little Heaven: Little Heaven(109,126,23) (brooms, cross)
Reghan's Hats: Zebranky(46,105,23) (hat)
Tesla: Dreamworld South(230,222,21) (hats)

Clothes:
<3 Cupcakes: Optimal(87,216,40)
Adam n Eve: Genesis(66,211,43)
AnnaH Couture: Sedna(192,157,27)
Amaretto: Boracay Island(155,112,21)
Awesome Designs: Awesome Isle (209,124,23)
BareRose: Bare Rose(187,33,30)
Battered Boudoir: Boudoir Isle(229,26,23)
Boneflower: Temenos(151,138,101)
Bossa Nova: Amour(184,59,27)
CaLLie CLine Homestore: caLLiefornia(176,175,22)
Canimal: Canimal(198,68,26)
Differ*nt: Juicy(196,152,22)
ETD: ETD Isle(132,137,32)
Evolution Creations & Mystics: Pamran(154,136,22)
Fashionably Dead: Tableau(42,219,17)
Here Comes Trouble: Troubled City (29, 32, 25)
House of Zen: Hinode Shima(190,58,29)
*ICINGS*: Mischief(116,158,25)
Ingenue: Mangakino (224, 111, 21)
Ivalde: Ivalde(95,184,43)
Kaliwulf Kingdom Fetish Emporium: Kayliwulf East(177,126,45)
Kcreations: Myeolchi(120,25,62)
Kikis Closet: Kauai(222,161,22)
LaynieWear: Kidd(162,188,29)
Lily's "Be Mused": Al Tang(125,181,65)
Little Heaven: Little Heaven(109,126,23)
Marzipan's Closet: Business Bureau Isle(221,91,22)
Microphage: Seomna(93,152,47)
MG Fashions: Portucalis(81,155,22)
(N): Thistledown(110,124,417)
Neko Gear: Ganesha(137,206,21)
Nicky Ree: Deimos(145,176,27)
Nuclear Boutique: Archipelago Wild(156,163,31)
Pampered Princess: Wingo(27,68,51)
Panache: Panache(86,161,123)
Papaya: Wingo(69,84,53)
Pedalpusher Designs: Linji(110,229,72)
Persona: Southern Paradise(35,146,23)
PixelDolls: Port Seraphine(19/162/27)
Ranoel Home & Shop: JapalandTokyo(72,30,23)
Rebel Hope Designs: Monarch Bay(145,67,38)
Rose Petal Creations: Epione(115,50,71)
Sirena: West Sunset(159,50,21)
Skin Flicks: Boonootoo(97,58,56)
Spirit: Plush Terra (31, 110, 21)
SugarCube: Blumfield (204, 79, 27)
SYD: Style Your Destiny: Kidd(162,188,29)
Szentasha Fashions: Whisper(28,227,37) (1 outfit under 60 days)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)
Tuli: Plush Rho(143,231,22)
Wilted Rose: Bloom Bounty(73,126,24)
Veschi: Fuzzy(176,251,36)
Vintage Clothing Reproductions: Zebranky(11,55,23)

Eyes:
BareRose: Bare Rose(187,33,30)
Skin Within: Serenity Islands CTR(163,227,22)
SYD: Style Your Destiny: Kidd(162,188,29)

Hair:
Adam n Eve: Genesis(40,189,22) (Female Hair)
Adam n Eve: Genesis(120,95,43) (Male Hair)
Analog Dog: Triggerfish(18,14,20)
Bewitched: Lemon Island(90,125,22) (Join update group)
Bryce Designs: Nerdalicious(51,215,23)
Calla: Callatropia(142,159,24)
Curl Up and Dye: Inari(34,223,400)
Diversity: Dacham(66,117,45)
ETD: ETD Isle(132,137,32)
Frangipani: Iladil(168,93,351)
Goldie Locks: Nantli Xolal(198,201,23) (under 30 days)
GuRL 6: GuRLyWood(133,65,33)
Hairapy: Callalily Cove(156,155,23)
Hair Solutions: Elite Island(19,116,22)
Here Comes Trouble: Troubled City (29, 32, 25)
K@E Kids & Shapes: Kyoto Bakumatsu(106,124,22)
Marlys Vintage Clothing & Hair: Envy(154,80,23)
Mirada Hair: Hairspray(17,72,52)
Mystikal: Mystikal(93,119,29)
Nuclear Boutique: Archipelago Wild(156,163,31)
Panache: Panache(117,138,124)
Pazazz: Pazazz(57,27,36) (under 30 days)
Pixel Dust: Salliohsis(149,187,301)
Sirena: West Sunset(159,50,21)
SYD: Style Your Destiny: Kidd(162,188,29)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)
Taunt: Taunt(183,78,30)(Treasure Hunt)
Tickled Pink: Chatouille(88,122,24)
Wilted Rose: Bloom Bounty(73,126,24)
Zero Style: Zero Style(118/164/41)

Jewelry:
BareRose: Bare Rose(187,33,30)
Canimal: Canimal(198,68,26)
Caroline's: Lo Lo(125,212,23)
The Creaky Cauldron: Zebranky(44,76,23)
GuRL 6: GuRLyWood(133,65,33)
IzA Boutique: Gealain(197,78,117)
Kallista Kreations: Kakapo(130,58,105)
Miriel: Nouveau(104,199,23)
Papaya: Wingo(69,84,53)
Secrets of Gaia: Yeodeol(126,25,53)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)
Tickled Pink: Chatouille(88,122,24)
Woo's!: Stadtrand(28,207,21)

Shapes:
SYD: Style Your Destiny: Kidd(162,188,29)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)

Shoes:
Adam n Eve: Genesis(54,120,22) (Under 30 days old)
Awesome Designs: Awesome Isle (209,124,23)
BareRose: Bare Rose(187,33,30)
Boutique Lovely: Swinside(149,186,28)
Frangipani: Iladil(168,93,351)
Here Comes Trouble: Troubled City (29, 32, 25)
Kaliwulf Kingdom Fetish Emporium: Kayliwulf East(177,126,45)
Lassitude & Ennui: Nouveau(53,71,30)
Nuclear Boutique: Archipelago Wild(156,163,31)
She's So Unusual: Redux NW(148,193,21)
SLink: Blissfully(45,13,23)
SugarCube: Blumfield (204, 79, 27)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)
Tickled Pink: Chatouille(88,122,24)

Skins:
<3 Cupcakes: Optimal(87,216,40)
Adam n Eve: Genesis(68,173,22)(Under 30 days old)
Another Shop: Lippert(74,176,178)
BareRose: Bare Rose(187,33,30)
Boneflower: Temenos(151,138,101)
BooN: Zapico (39, 154, 35)
Canimal: Canimal(198,68,26)
Neon Neko: Sunwi Do(131,199,321 (Neko)
Panache: Panache(86,161,123)
PanJen: Absence(164,137,25) (Camp 50 minutes)
RealSKIN: Pogon(69,15,38)
SinSkin: Sin Skins(28,7,25) (Under 30 days old)
Skin Within: Serenity Islands CTR(163,227,22)
SYD: Style Your Destiny: Kidd(162,188,29)
Talisman Designs: Yawgoo(30,81,97)
Tete-a-Pied: Nouveau(216,147,30) (Under 30 days old)

Other Useful Items:
SL Profiles: Alcona(95,84,106) (SL Gadget)

Palomar West Hospital SL link

2009-03-16T18:19:00.003-05:00

For those interested in healthcare, Palomar West Hospital, a real world hospital in San Diego, CA., has a virtual tour available in their 3D replica of their new hospital in SL which will be build in RL and open in 2011. The link is below:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/PalomarWest%20Hospital/33/127/34

Class assigment using second life

2009-03-16T10:33:00.002-05:00

Urbanization in Second Life

Objectives:
1. List the major factors that have promoted urban sprawl in the U.S.
2. Discover the major factors that have produced urban sprawl on Second Life.
3. List the advantages and disadvantages of urbanization.
4. List the pros and cons of the major urban transportation options: individual transit (walking, biking, motorized vehicles) and mass transit (rail systems and buses).
5. Compare and contrast the Virtual Harlem sims with the Etopia sims in terms of sustainability.
6. Determine which aspects of New Urbanism are present in the Virtual Harlem and Etopia sims.

Readings:

Blogs
http://www.eurogates.nl/en_holland_news/id/991/
http://www.tufts.edu/~jholla03/second_life_class.html
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2008/09/second-life-use.html
http://www.gisagents.blogspot.com/
http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2008/08/using-second-li.html

Textbook
Chapter 23. Sustainable Cities in Living in the Environment.

Introduction
Urbanization is the trend toward concentrating population of an area in urban areas. In urban areas the majority of residents are not directly dependent on agriculture or other natural-resource based jobs. Urban growth is caused by "push factors" such as rural areas reaching their carrying capacity, economic forces, political, racial or religious conflicts, and the mechanization of agriculture. Urban growth is also caused by "pull factors", such as the excitement and vitality of city life, jobs and pay. Also government policies, such as low food prices and low exchange rates, may foster urban growth.
Urban sprawl occurs when urban areas spread out and swallow up the surrounding countryside. Urban sprawl is driven by cheap land, cheap gasoline and poor urban planning. People end up driving their car everywhere because there is no mass transit system. Sprawl has many negative effects upon the environment and human health (see figure 23.6 on page 553 of your textbook).
Most urban and some rural areas in the U.S. use land-use planning to determine the best present and future use of each parcel of land. Much land-use planning encourages growth and economic development at all costs. Typically this leads to poorly planned growth and urban sprawl.
The most widely used ways to slow and control urban sprawl are to set growth boundaries around cities, preserve open space outside of these boundaries, create new towns and villages within existing cities, and revitalize neighborhoods and downtown areas.
Some communities are using the principles of new urbanism - walkability, mixed-use and diversity, quality urban design, environmental sustainability and smart transportation to overcome urban sprawl.
What are the fundamental ideas and tools in the work of planning and designing the built environment, including the roads, structures, landscaping, and all urbanized spaces in between? How and why have people planned and designed the built environment from the early Greeks to the New Urbanists?

Assignment

1. Visit the Virtual Harlem and Etopia sims.
The Virtual Harlem sims are models of Harlem in New York City during the Jazz Age (1920-1940)
The slurl for Virtual Harlem is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Harlem/133/68/30
The slurl for Virtual Harlem 2 is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Harlem%202/193/201/30

The Etopia Island and Etopia Prime sims are models of what life might look like in the year 2040.
The slurl is for Etopia Island is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Island/192/55/22
The slurl for Etopia Prime is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Etopia%20Prime/178/63/31

2. Compare and contrast the Virtual Harlem sims and the Etopia sims in terms of sustainability. Things to think about include- open space vs built space, density of housing, type and number of shops, mass transit availability, paved vs. unpaved surfaces, sources of energy for residents, food availability, landscaping styles, agriculture, aquaculture, common spaces, meeting spaces, green spaces, recreational activities and social events.

3. Determine which aspects of New Urbanism are present in the Virtual Harlem and Etopia sims.

4. Find a resident and talk to them about the sims. What is their opinion on urban sprawl and sustainability?

SimTeach Lists Available for you to Join

2009-03-10T15:16:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone, hope you enjoyed last night's class...here is the link on SimTeach for you to select the Mailing Lists you would like to join...Enjoy...the SLED list is amazing...

cheers.

bryan

SimTeach Mailing Lists

Orientation Experience: International Spaceflight Museum

2009-03-09T17:30:00.002-05:00

I'm not sure whether or not this will qualify as orientation appropriate, but recently I paid a visit to the International Spaceflight Museum's Spaceport Alpha. I'd like to point out two items that I think could be of use to someone planning an orientation program: 1. the level of detail in the individual display pieces points out one of the ways in which SL excels as a pedagogical framework--you can bring humans into contact with places and experiences that would normally be challenging if not impossible; and 2. after taking the launch simulator for a ride, I simply decided to continue stepping off platforms until I "fell" all the way back to the museum. This experience also points out the potential for activities that would also be impossible. Visit here for your own chance to have this experience.

Generational Myth: Not all young people are tech-savvy

2009-03-09T17:03:00.003-05:00

I mentioned this article by Siva Vaidhyanathan in last week's class. We've already used it as the basis of a reading group discussion in my library. It generated quite a bit of discussion.

--doug/auden

Homework: How to design a SL welcome experience

2009-03-09T16:46:00.004-05:00

Navigation--moving around--appears to be the most difficult aspect of using the SL as a learning environment. Accordingly, students need to receive an orientation experience that doesn't force them to move around too much at the beginning--the information they need should be readily available in a single room. Sound recordings are extremely powerful, especially if they can be combined with images or other visual props. I find the easel metaphor currently in use in many SL environs to be very effective. Clicking on a easel should automatically trigger the accompanying sound clip as well. Rather than telling the user that this object has a note associated with it (as is the case for most object located in SL rooms), clicking on an object should immediately set in motion the ppt display, arrow buttons and all. Easels that display interactive maps would also make navigation of a new island very helpful. About all, the objects in the orientation room must possess a high degree of interactivity: touching them makes something happen. Communicating with others is probably the strongest point of the SL environment. All orientation experiences should have instructions about how to take advantage of the various communication options. But when no one is around, the orientation room still needs to be highly interaction to maintain interest.

Sl Course 1 Library Alliance

2009-03-06T22:02:00.001-06:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Sl Course 1 Library Alliance

View more presentations from Bryan Carter. (tags: managing a)

Intro to SL powerpoint

2009-03-03T00:17:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone

I have uploaded the powerpoint I used to introduce Second Life to the school executive. If you want more info (one of the slides is meant to be a video - but I think that doesn't work when it is saved as a pps ??) feel free to contact me and I can send you the original files somehow. It was too big to upload to Slideshare.

I wasn't sure how to do the link from here to there??

I called it Second Life Presentation and made it public. I haven't used SlideShare before, so I hope you can access it if you want to - otherwise just let me know what I need to do to link it to this site.

:-) Pluto

Welcome

2009-03-02T16:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our Blog: Managing a Class in Second Life. Please feel free to comment on posts made, start new threads or add images, Web Links or YouTube Video links to our resources here.. Enjoy and I look forward to reading and seeing your experiences. Please take a moment to introduce yourself here to the rest of our class by clicking "comments" below and entering your self-introduction and any info you feel like sharing...contact etc...

Bryan