UK Second Life 'Island' to Hold Grand Opening
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 19, 2008) − The University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Education recently launched its own
3-D digital "island," hosted by Second Life
(SL), an Internet-based virtual world, and will celebrate its entrance into virtual life
Thursday, March 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. Various events will be held online in the virtual William
T. Young Library, as well as in real life in the Young Library Auditorium, where attendees can
learn how to navigate UK's island.
Imagined and created by its users, also known as "residents," UK's SL island is a simulation of different aspects of UK's real-life campus that allows people to explore and develop a virtual campus life.
Events begin at 1 p.m. with a welcome to the virtual William T. Young Library, followed by a talk by Second Life educator "Eloise Pasteur" (as she’s known in SL). Eloise, who in real life lives in England and holds a Ph.D. in biology, has been working in SL since 2004. She has taught biology, numeracy, and literacy skills in SL, and regularly supports students with learning difficulties. She will be joined by “ArthurConan Doyle,” from the University of Oregon Center for Advanced Technology in Education, who will also discuss his experiences with SL and its educational potential. This presentation may be viewed "in world" (in SL) or via projection in the Young Library Auditorium.
Immediately following the presentation, a panel will meet (in real life) in the Young Library Auditorium to discuss their current work in SL. Political science professor Christopher Rice and geography professor Tad Mutersbaugh both teach courses on the island, and will be joined by their students to discuss the benefits of learning through a virtual classroom setting.
At 3 p.m., or immediately following the panel, those attending in real life at the Young Library will be treated to a tour of the island, and those who have avatars may join the tour in Second Life.
At 3:30, the games begin! Educational gamer “Jeremy Braver” (as he is known in SL) has donated his game "Windbag" to the grand opening event on SL, and an island resident will be present to help players get started. Other games will be available as well, including a scavenger hunt in which the first five finishers will win Linden dollars (the currency of Second Life).
From 3 to 5 p.m., avatars are welcome to tour, play games, ask questions, explore the island and practice building in the island “sandbox” area. At 4 p.m., avatars can attend an "in world" dance on the island, and in the Young Library Auditorium, their real-life counterparts can go to the computer lab in Room B35 to dress up their avatars and learn a little more about getting around in Second Life.
Developed by Linden Research, Inc., Second Life is an Internet-based virtual world that opened to the public in 2003. It is inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe.
Imagined and created by its users, also known as "residents," UK's SL island is a simulation of different aspects of UK's real-life campus that allows people to explore and develop a virtual campus life.
Events begin at 1 p.m. with a welcome to the virtual William T. Young Library, followed by a talk by Second Life educator "Eloise Pasteur" (as she’s known in SL). Eloise, who in real life lives in England and holds a Ph.D. in biology, has been working in SL since 2004. She has taught biology, numeracy, and literacy skills in SL, and regularly supports students with learning difficulties. She will be joined by “ArthurConan Doyle,” from the University of Oregon Center for Advanced Technology in Education, who will also discuss his experiences with SL and its educational potential. This presentation may be viewed "in world" (in SL) or via projection in the Young Library Auditorium.
Immediately following the presentation, a panel will meet (in real life) in the Young Library Auditorium to discuss their current work in SL. Political science professor Christopher Rice and geography professor Tad Mutersbaugh both teach courses on the island, and will be joined by their students to discuss the benefits of learning through a virtual classroom setting.
At 3 p.m., or immediately following the panel, those attending in real life at the Young Library will be treated to a tour of the island, and those who have avatars may join the tour in Second Life.
At 3:30, the games begin! Educational gamer “Jeremy Braver” (as he is known in SL) has donated his game "Windbag" to the grand opening event on SL, and an island resident will be present to help players get started. Other games will be available as well, including a scavenger hunt in which the first five finishers will win Linden dollars (the currency of Second Life).
From 3 to 5 p.m., avatars are welcome to tour, play games, ask questions, explore the island and practice building in the island “sandbox” area. At 4 p.m., avatars can attend an "in world" dance on the island, and in the Young Library Auditorium, their real-life counterparts can go to the computer lab in Room B35 to dress up their avatars and learn a little more about getting around in Second Life.
Developed by Linden Research, Inc., Second Life is an Internet-based virtual world that opened to the public in 2003. It is inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe.