We invite you to join us as we explore the educational possibilities of the use of a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) to support teaching and learning. Linden Lab’s Second Life (SL), a virtual world utilizing a web-based platform, provides the medium for educator professional development and collaboration, as well as an engaging, 3D immersive learning environment. This virtual world is being used to simulate face-to-face interaction by professional organizations and educational institutes globally. Higher Education provides online courses via SL. School districts use this virtual space to provide professional development regardless of geographical location of the participants.
So now do you get started? To use the SL web based application you must download a small application, create an account and choose your avatar. If you choose to register for your account through the educator portal, your avatar will rez in world at ISTE Island at the beginning of a walkway. There are informational signs that will help you get oriented into SL. Take the time to watch the movie of ISTE’s journey into this new world. Be sure to click on the sign to join the ISTE group so that you will receive notices inworld of scheduled events. Continue along the walkway through the Orientation Area where you will learn basic second life skills. At the end of the walkway is the headquarter building in which there is a resource room with free items and landmarks to educational sims. Many times there are scheduled volunteer docents available to assist new avatars.
ISTE Island has regularly scheduled events that are posted on the front of the headquarter building. Tuesday nights is a speaker series, Thursday evenings are social events and every other Sunday a tour of educational sims is conducted, departing from ISTE headquarters. The Blogger’s Hut and Podcast Hut are located down the hill from the main building. Here you will find links to podcasts and blogs related to educational activities using SL.
ISTE Island is a place you will choose to call home. Hope to see you there!
