Had a great time in SL last night with Jung Lee, Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at nearby Richard Stockton College in Pomona, NJ. She was in Millville, NJ with one of her MAIT cohorts, about a dozen people I think, a mixture of administrators and teachers, all mostly new to SL.
We planned to spend about an hour together, but that quickly stretched to almost two, as we jumped from sim to sim, starting first at ISTE Island. We demonstrated presentation technology in the auditorium with an Angry Beth Whiteboard, toured the HQ building, talked about the docent program, and even took a magic carpet ride! (I love those.)
Interested in showing more teaching spaces, we teleported over to Angel Learning Island, where we proceeded to all get STUCK in the dynamic seating area – no one could stand up. Fortunately, a relog solved that problem and we were able to continue.
We headed over to the Island of Jokaydia where we stayed long enough to whet everyone’s appetite for later exploration of one of the finest educational sims in the metaverse. I also pointed them to the only SL in Education wiki anyone needs: http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/.
We then headed over to EduIsland II where I gave them a tour of the Center for Advanced Virtual Education, Discovery Educator Network (where we got to meet Beth Koneke!), SLolar Central (Laelia Laval happened to be available and join us for a bit), and Desi Stockton’s Literature Alive/School Store.
Everyone had a terrific time, they were all in a lab together and I could hear occasional shrieks of joy and bursts of laughter (especially when we were on the magic carpet – it was hilarious!) I’m told this group of educators didn’t know what to expect, but that they all enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and I have to say, other than losing them all briefly as we flew around ISTE Island, everything went really smoothly and all left with a positive impression of SL. They also all joined ISTE and Discovery Network in SL, so, with luck, we’ll see them at some future events.
Tours are fun! If only I had more time to give them!
-kj-
8 responses so far ↓
1 Beth Knittle // Mar 6, 2008 at 1:42 pm
KJ,
Thanks for introducing the group to SL and showing them the DEN. A couple from your group joined us later for our Newbie 101 class. It is always great to welcome new educators to the community. The more the merrier, more conversations, more perspectives, more ideas all equals more learning. It was fun.
Beth (Beth Kohnke -SL)
2 Jung Lee // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm
It was a wonderful presentation. We enjoyed so much ^_^ Especially, because your talk and transition from here to there was so natural without any akward pause, I felt we were having a face-to-face meeting. (That is the power of SL, I guess.)
I was one of them who stayed for the Beth workshop; informative, even got shoppting tips from Laelia. ^_^
3 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Beth,
Thanks for the tour, great timing too, can’t believe the good fortune that you had a workshop that evening! Who was the other avatar with you at DEN HQ? Please thank her for us too!
Jung,
I had a great time too! It was neat hearing everyone’s reaction in the room. They really enjoyed themselves! Hope to see you in SL again soon!
-kj-
4 Nellie Eldridge // Mar 7, 2008 at 8:27 am
KJ Hax, thank you so much for the fantastic tour, it was very edducational and informative and at the same time very enjoyable I had a great experience. Oh and thanks for the 100.00 Linden dallors. Ruti Rayna, Hasta Luego!
5 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 8, 2008 at 5:00 am
Whoa, Nellie! (Sorry, couldn’t resist)
Glad you had fun! I did too! See you in SL!
-kj-
6 Beth Knittle // Mar 10, 2008 at 12:31 pm
KJ the other avatar was JuliaAnn Mills – one of our DEN Guides, and a member of Lighthouse Learning. I’ll pass along your thanks.
Beth
7 newbie // Mar 28, 2008 at 12:29 am
Does this mean education will include only out of SL stuff or SL in-world education too? I’m reading up on how to make business in SL here, http://www.killerguides.com/guides/sl/guide/second-life but if classes were provided, would definitely join.
8 Kevin Jarrett // Mar 28, 2008 at 6:12 am
Hi Newbie!
Yes, there are MANY great, free classes IN Second Life regarding how to use it!
Jump on in!
-kj-
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