That is the questionThat is the question

To Second Life or Not to Second Life

To Second Life or Not to Second Life

Second Life was launched in 2003 by Linden Labs

Second Life was launched in 2003 by Linden Labs

ASD EdTech Island

Small meeting space

ASD EdTech Island

Small meeting space

So what can you do in Second Life?

So what can you do in Second Life?

Anything that the users can imagine Anything that the users can imagine

1.5 Million log-ons to Second Life (SL) in the last 60 Days

•Unique Economy (Linden$)

•Lindens have an exchange rate with US$

•People sell things in SL for Lindens

•Some even sell to make Real Life (RL) $

Aerial view of ASD Ed Tech Island -

New Media Center includes sims of Morocco, the Sistine Chapel and the Human Genome Project.

Education

Socializing, Dancing, Entertainment, Art, Role Playing, Landscaping, Building …..

So, how can SL be used for professional development for the ASD Librarians?

So, how can SL be used for professional development for the ASD Librarians?

ASD Ed Tech Island, Librarians House, Small Group Conversation Area

Some of the down sidesSome of the down sides

Technical ConcernsTechnical Concerns

ASD Ed Tech Island underwater presentation area

Just as with the web, content being offered has to be evaluated

Who is teaching a training or moderating a discussion can be hard to determine

Assessment of learning needs to be carefully built in

Just as with the web, content being offered has to be evaluated

Who is teaching a training or moderating a discussion can be hard to determine

Assessment of learning needs to be carefully built in

So, will I continue to pursue SL as a possible venue for PD in ASD Library

World?

So, will I continue to pursue SL as a possible venue for PD in ASD Library

World?

Yes!Yes!

What needs to happen to make it work?

What needs to happen to make it work?

Skills training needs to be front loaded - otherwise you lose students to frustration

Instructors need to change their paradigm - business as usual will not take advantage of the power of SL

Acknowledge that this venue is not going to be for everyone

BUT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE AMAZING!!!

Skills training needs to be front loaded - otherwise you lose students to frustration

Instructors need to change their paradigm - business as usual will not take advantage of the power of SL

Acknowledge that this venue is not going to be for everyone

BUT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE AMAZING!!!

Second Life Education New Zealand, Ben Salt, Dr., Clare Atkins Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology, and Leigh Blackall Otago Plytechnic. Engaging with Second Life: Real Education in a Virtual World - Literature Reveiw. Second Life Education New Zealand, 2008. Second Life Education in New Zealand. 26 Feb. 2009 <http://slenz.wordpress.com/ slenz-literature-review/>.

Tapely, Rebecca. Designing Your Second Life. New Riders Press: New York, 2007

Wegner, Mary. Interview. February 19, 2009.

White, Brian. Second Life: A guide to your virtual world. Que: Indianapolis, 2007

Second Life Education New Zealand, Ben Salt, Dr., Clare Atkins Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology, and Leigh Blackall Otago Plytechnic. Engaging with Second Life: Real Education in a Virtual World - Literature Reveiw. Second Life Education New Zealand, 2008. Second Life Education in New Zealand. 26 Feb. 2009 <http://slenz.wordpress.com/ slenz-literature-review/>.

Tapely, Rebecca. Designing Your Second Life. New Riders Press: New York, 2007

Wegner, Mary. Interview. February 19, 2009.

White, Brian. Second Life: A guide to your virtual world. Que: Indianapolis, 2007

Ann Morgester AkLA Conference Anchorage, Alaska March 5, 2010

Ann Morgester AkLA Conference Anchorage, Alaska March 5, 2010