1. 1 We need to know about … Virtual Worlds (or get a ‘Second Life’) Dr Andrew Oliver Learning Technology Development Unit & The Blended Learning Unit University of Hertfordshire

2. 2 Second Life: what is it? Online virtual world provided by Linden Lab. users interact with each other through avatars, leading to social networks. 2.7 million users Established economy & currency 0.5 million dollars changes hands daily secondlife.com

3. 3 How does it work? Users create most of the content. ‘Residents’ can ‘buy’ land and create, design objects for re sale. Including buildings, landscape, vehicles, furniture, and machines to use, trade, or sell. Can also insert live audio feeds (concerts).

4. 4 How does it work? In teaching terms – students collaborate with staff in re inventing traditional learning format and construct their own learning spaces – constructivism. In Enterprise terms - you buy your own office, buy your own island and interact with customers.

5. 5 Typical use Teaching & Learning (example)example Virtual Campuses – NMC Campus: Seriously Engaging (great overview of SL) - view view – Campus: Second Life (Pathfinder Linden's hosted space for educators) - viewview – Harvard Law School's Austin Hall – viewview About education in SL – Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Library on Info Island – Learn SL Skills: Academy of Second Learning - viewview

6. 6 Typical use PR: – Text 100 in Second Life (view on youTube)view – Sears Holdings showroom. customers change cabinet and countertop colors in a kitchen and organize areas. – Located on IBM island (view)view

7. 7 Typical use Originating from Second Life (now real) – Aimee Weber Studio (website) : creation services for companies looking to use SL for marketing etc.website – Anshe Chung Studios virtual (now real) real estate business (website)website – Electric Sheep Company creates content for three-dimensional online worlds (SL & other) (website)website

8. 8 Typical use Operating inside Second Life – Centric, advertising agency has Second Life office (buys adspace in Second Life and turns it into public parks). – Dell (sells PCs at Dell Island - view)view – IBM (Secret Island) recently met to discuss effects of online games (MMOGs) on business Sun Microsystems held metaverse press conference for launch of SL Sun Pavilion participated in an "in-world" press briefing at the CNET headquarters in Second Life

9. 9 The point is Connect people interested in the same ‘stuff’ – social networking Allows customers to interact with products (at any time) Receive feedback on in progress products or prototypes.

10. 10 Issues Very resource intensive (to participate & design environment). Training & task orientation required (unguided exploration). Easily become lost and wander into adult areas (believe me I know this…)

11. 11 References Sears opens 'Second Life' showroom - Reuters Sears opens 'Second Life' showroom - Reuters New Media Opportunities In The Online World Second Life New Media Opportunities In The Online World Second Life Text 100: Branding building in Second Life

12. 12 ‘How to’ series How to Blog in 5 minutes (Word) How to Wiki in 5 minutes (Word) How to create a Podcast in 5 minutes (Word) How to convert audio files to MP3 in 5 minutes (Word) How to use RSS in 5 minutes (Word)

13. 13 ‘You need to know…’ series You need to know about Podcasting (Slides) You need to know about Podcasting: a teaching and learning guide (Word) You need to know about Online Discussions: a teaching and learning guide (Word) You need to know about Blogs (Slides) You need to know about Wikis (Slides) You need to know about RSS (Slides) You need to know about Web 2.0 (Slides) You need to know about Computer Assessment (Slides) You need to know about Effective Question Design (Slides) You need to know about Electronic Voting Systems (Slides)

14. 14 Also available: Podcasting: audio talk on the benefits of podcasting (hi quality) Computer Assessment: using statistic analysis to design effective questions For copies please contact: Dr Andrew Oliver. LTDU, College Lane LRC (a.oliver@herts.ac.uk, ext. 4754).