On this page I’d like to acknowledge some of the people who are assisting me with my study of Second Life. They are from all over the world and include educational researchers, published authors, Ph.D. students, former students of mine from Walden, K-20 educators, university academics, and fellow Walden colleagues. The list is in no particular order and is in a constant state of change. You can use the comment form at the bottom to get in touch, or, correct anything I’ve written. :)
| Second Life Name: Kittygloom Cassady Profile/Site: click here Reason for interest in SL: Professionally she is the person behind ISTE’s presence in Second Life, on EduIsland. How S/He has helped me: I am currently using ISTE HQ as “home base” because it is safe and centrally located on EduIsland. She helped me make the first changes to my avatar and has introduced me to several influential and amazing Second Life residents. Her weekly socials at the ISTE SkyPark (Thursdays, 6pm SLT) have been a great way to meet other educators interested in SL. How I have helped them: I am currently one of a small army of docents (volunteers) at ISTE HQ. I am there two nights a week for an hour at a time (Tuesdays 4pm SLT and Saturdays, 5pm SLT). I answer visitor questions and promote membership in ISTE. |
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| Second Life Name: Decka Mah Profile/Site: click here Reason for interest in SL: Too many to list, research is a big part of it! How S/He has helped me: Decka has created an amazing build called Terra Incognita where she showcases the types of things people can create in SL, including very advanced structures, amazing textures and unbelievable animation effects. She has (developed?) a blogging tool that allows people to post entries to their blog while in SL. I found Decka through Kittygloom. How I have helped them: At our first meeting, I told Decka about PrettyMay, a free utility that allows you to record Skype conversations, which she says will be invaluable in her research. I’ve also been working with her to determine how to get the in-world blogging tool to work with WordPress blogs like mine. |
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| Second Life Name: Existential Paine Profile/Site: http://www.bretagdesigns.com/technologist Reason for interest in SL: Getting his Ph.D. at Walden, Existential is looking at SL for the same reasons I am: to facilitate communication, experiment and learn, and promote SL’s use in education. How S/He has helped me: Ex (as we call him) is an ISTE SL Volunteer and is now my landlord! I am leasing space from him for the next few months. How I have helped them: Other than turning him on to some great free clothes at Decka’s place, not very much actually! |
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| Second Life Name: Clare Lane Profile/Site: click here Reason for interest in SL: Clare has been my student for the past four months (two classes). She heard me mention Second Life and had been considering learning more about it. She created an avatar and has been enjoying herself ever since. She shares my passion for SL’s potential in the classroom, loves learning and has a playful attitude about SL (yes, that’s a tail!) that will surely keep her engaged and learning about this 3D world for a very long time. How S/He has helped me: Clare has been scouring the Internet looking for SL-related whitepapers, articles and other tidbits to help me with my research. Her efforts account for the bulk of my readng material to date! She has also been with me during some of my most challenging explorations thus far. I hope to keep her involved throughout my study. How I have helped them: Not sure yet, other than to have encouraged her to try SL … though her family may not be so happy with me right now as a result! |
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| Second Life Name: Victoria Gloucester Profile/Site: click here Reason for interest in SL: Research, SL in education (naturally), changing the world How S/He has helped me: Victoria is an ISTE docent, like me, and has been to many ISTE socials. We managed to connect in a sea of avatars one day and began to discuss our similar interests. She is an SL veteran by most standards, having been in-world since the fall of 2006. She’s used her time well and has created several wonderful builds which she recently showed Clare and I. She happens to know Maggie Marat, head of the amazing group over at Ramapo Islands on the teen grid. She introduced Clare and I to Maggie, which was fantastic enough, … but then accepted my request for a tour of their school in Suffern, NY (just over the NY/NJ border, and about 2 hours from here. I’m going there in April, while we are on spring break. I’ll get to see her students actually USING SL in their classes – it is integrated throughout the curriculum. Even better, I’ve volunteered to help (however I can) on the actual Ramapo build on the teen grid! I’m so excited I can hardly type! How I have helped them: Introduced Victoria to Decka Mah, though they haven’t met yet, I know they will become fast friends and great research partners! |
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| Second Life Name: Blogsar Lumpin Profile/Site: http://www.weblogg-ed.com Reason for interest in SL: Sheer curiosity? How I have helped them: Gave Will a personal tour this weekend and showed him some tricks for moving around and taking screen shots. Next up: a new skin, some prim hair (ponytail), and decent shoes! |
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| Second Life Name: Macsmom Alcott Profile/Site: http://technospud.com/ Reason for interest in SL: Sheer curiosity? How S/He has helped me: Jen has an enormous worldwide audience and is a great representative of many teachers who will approach SL for the first time. I think it’s important for me to understand how she relates to and is ultimately able to use SL for her own personal professional development and possibly for others. How I have helped them: Provided her a basic tour of some education-related sites and some gentle encouragement! |
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| Second Life Name: Chaser Brody Profile/Site: http://rampoislands.blogspot.com/ Reason for interest in SL: Changing the educational world, one middle school at a time How S/He has helped me: How much time do you have? Chaser is Peggy Sheehy, Master of all things Teen SL, Ramapo Islands Visionary, part rock star, part technology evangelist, and general wonder woman. How I have helped them: I spent the most amazing two days of my life with Peggy and her Suffern students … in person as well as in SL. I have only just started scratching the surface of what is going on at Ramapo and I hope to be learning more as the year progresses! |
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