TIE 08 Breakout Presentation (Monday 1:15am-2:10pm) Room 9

Second Life for Education: A virtual learning environment

Session Description:
You’ve heard the buzz about Second Life – now come see what everyone is talking about. This internet-based virtual world has implications for education and the world of work. “Residents” of second life exist as avatars in this very realistic virtual environment. Businesses are setting up shop here, numerous educational institutions have established a presence and many people are working, meeting and socializing in Second Life. The virtual environment allows you to “fly” into the middle of cell and see its anatomy close up. You can “dive” underwater to examine sea-life or perform live as an avatar in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. We will discuss the advantages of using simulations for learning as well as the necessary precautions when utilizing public environments like Second Life.

Follow these links to another page in this wikispace for more information:
A list of slurls for educational locations in Second Life
(a slurl is a Second Life URL that allows you to teleport to a location)

More Second Life Links of Interest:

Attending Educational Events in SL
Visit the Second Life wiki.
Visit the second life webpage dedicated to education.
A listing of educational organizations with a presence in Second Life.
ISTE (International Society for Technology In Education) Second Life events.

Some basic things you will need to know to get started in SL:

Create an account(this is free).
Download the softwareto run Second Life on your computer. This allows you access to the Second Life grid which is run by Linden Labs.
Move around. You can do this by walking or flying or teleporting.
Once you are a Second Life resident you need to alter your appearance so you don't look like a "noob".
Learn to communicate with others -- voice and chat.
Learn to use Second Life urls or slurls.