So I’m covering my docent shift at ISTE HQ, and things are sorta quiet, as they have been lately … I’m chatting with Ellen Starostin, a fellow docent … so I decide to Twit that I’m there, knowing a few other SLers are probably just a mouse click away from providing me some company … sure enough, within moments, I’ve crowdsourced a small gathering of folks! Teacher, Lupin, Ellen and two new friends from Twitter, Heyjude Jenns and Ruby Lmako.
This is where it gets interesting and really fun! Turns out Heyjude Jenns is none other than Judy O’Connell, Head of Library and Information Services at St Joseph’s College in New Zealand. She’s also the author of “Learning is a Multimodal Conversation,” appearing in the Blogger’s Cafè section of the December-January issue of Leading & Learning with Technology. Soon after she signed in, she herself Twitted, and was joined by her comrade in OZ, Ruby Lmako (whose SL surname, I have to say, looks like a typo’d version of LMAO). In RL, she’s Sue Waters, full time lecturer for TAFE, prolific blogger, mobile technology maven and podcast queen.
In the photo above, Ruby and Heyjude are preparing to join me for a Magic Carpet tour of ISTE Island as Teacher begs off (RL daddy duties beckoned). Shortly after this pic was taken, Zsusa Thomsen, fellow ISTE Docent, happened by and joined us for our “tour.”
I say “tour” because it was more of a crash-and-burn demonstration of what happens when a magic carpet attempts to cross into a banned parcel … in case you’re wondering … everyone is ejected and falls straight to the ground! It was more than a little embarrassing, especially since I was trying to make a good impression with my new friends, who took it all in stride, despite the fact it happened THREE TIMES.
We had a lovely tour, which concluded with me showing them around my two EduIsland II facilities, Carl F. Spackler Hall and SLolar Central (the latter of which I co-manage with the lovely and talented Laelia Laval).
Next thing I knew, I’d been in SL for two hours, and was wondering where the time went. (I remember not too long ago when a two-hour stint in SL would barely be considered a warmup!). It was great fun getting to meet Ruby and Heyjude, and I’m thankful for the Twitterverse for helping me make this connection. It’s truly neat when virtual worlds collide and new friendships are made!
-kj-
10 responses so far ↓
1 Alan Levine // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:52 am
That’s such a nice contrast to the old saw moaning we hear about people “not having time” to explore new technologies — both of these people (and yourself) are “making” time for it, albeit often personal time, but based purely (I think) on the desire to learn and connect.
I saw their tweets a bit later, and might have joined too. I know both Judy and Sue from online but also in person, and both are excellent colleagues to have as contact (although note that Judy is not in New Zealand, but in Sydney, Australia).
Keep those carpets afloat!
2 Jennifer McDaniel // Jan 2, 2008 at 8:13 pm
This is very exciting to me! I am actually new to SL myself and became involved because of all I was hearing about the exciting professional development and learning opportunities that were happening in SL. Unfortunately, I have not had time to explore like I would like, but I did find the ISTE HQ and hope to join in some discussions very soon. I appreciate when I hear (or read, should I say) things that are happening in SL. The exciting thing to me is that it’s a place for educators from all over to meet and share ideas. I am an Instructional Technology Specialist at an Education Service Center that assists about 60 school districts and their teachers to began to incorporate technology into their classroom. I am fairly new to the job and am always looking for those conversations that will deepen my knowledge. I am truly looking forward to seeing you (in SL, of course) soon!
3 Kevin Jarrett // Jan 2, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Alan,
Thanks. Small world! They both said they knew you when I mentioned your name as we flew by the platform where we met for your presentation in Brisbane. It was quite the moment of serendipity! I wanted to keep going but was fading fast as bedtime approached. The hour we spent together really flew (oh, bad pun).
Jennifer,
What is your avatar name? Please look for me at the next ISTE SL social and/or send me a friend request. If you are looking for a free (temporary) place to live in SL, let me know, we have just the thing for you – space available at SLolar Central (see my post above).
Best, kj
4 Jennifer McDaniel // Jan 2, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I did intend to leave my avatar name, but forgot! JennAFuzz Gabardini — please look me up if I don’t look you up first! :) I do, at the moment, have a “home”, but I do appreciate the offer! I have really enjoyed Second Life and am really looking forward to becoming more involved. Thanks!!
5 Sue Waters // Jan 3, 2008 at 3:13 am
Hi KJ – thanks for showing us around ISTE and your EduIsland II facilities. Also thanks for the nice words (although may lose my podcast license if I am not careful).
As Alan mentioned I was lucky enough to spend some time with him in person (and not catch cogdog flu). Check out his photos from the sightseeing we did in Perth together (http://flickr.com/photos/cogdog/tags/perth/).
Sue
6 Bookmarks Tagged Lucky // Jan 3, 2008 at 5:07 am
[...] bookmarks tagged lucky Magic Carpet Ride saved by 1 others Monk026 bookmarked on 01/03/08 | [...]
7 Kevin Jarrett // Jan 3, 2008 at 5:32 am
Sue,
Right back at ya.
You need a license to podcast? Wow! What’s that about?
Love the pics, my faves are the Ribbon Sculpture and the ones of you tweeting from your PDA. Always connected!
Best, kj
8 Judy O'Connell // Jan 3, 2008 at 8:44 am
Kevin, You know, it was the best magic carpet ride of my life!! even though we had fun falling off.
Actually, you were the perfect host, and for me it was a real delight to have a personal tour – having wandered alone many a late night alone wondering just exactly what went on when people were around.
I also learned that the magic carpet could do wonderful things….I have one in my inventory but have never used it to take pals along for a ride.
Really looking forward to catching some ISTE events on the island and to meeting more colleagues ‘in world’ and at NECC of course!
Thanks so much for spending the time with us.
9 Kevin Jarrett // Jan 3, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Judy,
My only regret was having to leave so soon so I could go to sleep. (My wife is convinced that this getting up at 3am thing is going to be the death of me.)
So thrilled you discovered the Magic Carpet – the exact same thing happened to me. Someone used theirs, and I asked them about it, then they pointed out I already had one! It’s fun but oh so primitive. I really hate how it unceremoniously dumps riders upon impact with a large stationary object, or when attempting to cross into a banned parcel!
There is an ISTE Social tonight, 6pm SLT, can you make it? Hope so!
-kj-
10 Sue Waters // Jan 3, 2008 at 8:47 pm
LOL the whole license thing is a bit of a joke. When I have a slump with blogging I talk about losing my license e.g. like losing your driver’s license and having to start all over again.
My PDA absolutely saved us. Alan wanted to visit Bon Scott’s grave – which I thought had to be really easy to locate. Famous last words. After much hunting around the cemetery my local twitter friends guided us to the right spot. Thank goodness for being always connected.
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