Workshop 8

Second Life in Education: Introduction to the Who, What, Why, and How of Virtual Life.

Workshop Description:

Have you ever wanted a second life where you could fly, visit exotic lands, ride on the dolphins, and learn how to sail?

Now you can! Participants in this workshop will create their own avatars (virtual representation of yourself) and learn the basics of Second Life.

Second life is not a video game, though there are games and simulations within the virtual world. It is a place where educators are meeting, networking and teaching classes. It is a place where students are learning, creating, designing and socializing. Come learn about how educators are using this virtual world in K-12 schools, universities, colleges, libraries, museums, and much more.

This workshop will combine a survey of the current uses of Second Life in education with a hands-on introduction to the basics of Second Life. We will cover pedagogical uses and possibilities. We will discuss support strategies, challenges of introducing this virtual world to your educational communities and policy issues. This is a hands-on workshop, participants will create their own avatars, learn how to walk, fly, chat, IM, touch, sit down, control the camera, change their appearances and make friends. We will travel to interesting places and listen to guest speakers. Be prepared to learn and have lots of fun.

Presenters: Lori Swinney, Elizabeth Becker, Janna Kruckenberg, Christine Crawford

Lori Swinney, aka Lorianne Heron, has a Ph.D. in Teaching & Learning and Instructional Design & Technology. She is currently the Leader at the Center for Instructional & Learning Technologies (CILT) at the University of North Dakota and has led the effort to introduce the University of North Dakota to Second Life.

Elizabeth Becker, aka Designergirl Beck, is a graphic designer at CILT. She has her Master’s degree in Industrial Technology and teaches graphic and multimedia design courses.

Janna Kruckenberg, aka Naliya Rayna, is an avid World of Warcraft (WOW) player and has a master’s degree in Industrial Technology. She works at CILT as a system administrator.

Christine Crawford is an Instructional Design & Technology graduate student and has spent this last semester as an intern at CILT researching the use of Second Life in higher education. She has co-taught several workshops on SL and her avatar, Silver Tomorrow, has met and networked with many educators and designers in SL.