1. A Geometry Lesson in Second Life Dean L. Zeller dzeller@cs.kent.edu Dr. Paul S. Wang (advisor) Department of Computer Science Kent State University

2. Slide 2 of 18 About Second Life Based on an idea within Show Crash, by Neal Stephenson (1992). 13,000,000 unique accounts. Business conducted through Linden Dollars (US$1  L$300). Instant messaging and item sharing. Virtual meetings and classrooms. Is not a game.

3. Slide 3 of 18 Lesson Objective The student will create geometric figures using a manipulative within the Second Life virtual world. Topics: –Angles –Regular polygons –Algorithms Requirements: –A Windows or Macintosh computer running Second Life (found at http:// www.secondlife.com/downloads)

4. Slide 4 of 18 Background – Bumble Bee Graphics You have a pet bumble bee that will move or draw as you command. Move Forward ( mf ) –Move forward without drawing –Examples: mf mf 3.0 –Also: move backward ( mb ), move right ( mr ), move left ( ml ) Draw Forward ( df ) –Move forward drawing a line –Examples: df df 3.0 –Also: move backward ( mb ), move right ( mr ), move left ( ml ) Turn Left ( tl ) –Make a turn to the left at the specified angle –Examples: tl 30 tl 45 –Also: turn right ( tr )

5. Slide 5 of 18 Assignment 0 – Setup Create a Second Life account and avatar. Become familiar with the virtual world controls, including: –Navigation (movement and teleporting) –Communication (chat) –Inventory –Searching Teleport to the KSU WME Learning Land and visit the BumbleBee drawing area.

6. Slide 6 of 18 Assignment 1 – Right Angle Figures Using the BumbleBee commands, complete the following tasks. Note that all turns will be 90 degrees. Draw the shapes according to the diagram specifications. Write the code implemented on the worksheet. All measurements are in meters. Start and end in the same position and at the same angle.

7. Slide 7 of 18 Assignment 1 Tasks Draw a square code: _________________ Draw a rectangle code: _________________ Draw an H-shape code: _________________ 5 m 2.5 m 5 m 1 m 5 m 2 m 3 m

8. Slide 8 of 18 Assignment 1 Tasks, continued Draw an I-shape code: _________________ Draw an E-shape code: _________________ Draw an T-shape code: _________________ 1 m 5 m 2 m 3 m 5 m 1 m 4 m 1 m 5 m 2 m 1 m 4 m

9. Slide 9 of 18 Assignment 1 Tasks, continued Draw an M-shape code: _________________ Challenge Question: –Draw the phrase HIT ME, separating letters by 1 m, with 3 m between the words. –Use the code from the previous tasks. 5 m 1 m 4 m 1 m 3 m

10. Slide 10 of 18 Assignment 2 – Regular Polygons A polygon is an enclosed figure consisting of only straight lines. A regular polygon is a polygon in which all sides are equal length and all interior angles are equal. Regular Polygons Irregular Polygons

11. Slide 11 of 18 Assignment 2 Tasks Theorem: –The sum of the angles of a triangle is 180°. For each additional side, add another 180°. Draw a regular (equilateral) triangle. –Question: The interior angle of a regular triangle is 60 degrees (180 divided by 3). What is the angle the Bumblebee would turn to create the interior angle? ________________ –Code: _____________________ 5 m 60º

12. Slide 12 of 18 Assignment 2 Tasks Draw a regular pentagon. –Question: What is the interior angle of a pentagon? _________ –What is the angle the Bumblebee would turn to create the interior angle? ________________ –Code: _____________________

13. Slide 13 of 18 Assignment 2 Tasks, continued Draw a regular hexagon. –Question: What is the interior angle of a hexagon? _________ –What is the angle the Bumblebee would turn to create the interior angle? _______ Code: _____________________ Draw a regular octagon. –Question: What is the interior angle of a octagon? _________ –What is the angle the Bumblebee would turn to create the interior angle? ______ –Code: _____________________

14. Slide 14 of 18 Assignment 2 Tasks, continued Challenge Question –Generalize this problem for a regular polygon with N sides. New command: repeat … endrep –You can repeat commands by containing them within a repeat / endrep command. –Example: repeat 4 df 5 tl 90 endrep draws a square of size 5.

15. Slide 15 of 18 Further Assignments Stairs Designs Prisms Bridges Polyhedrons Etc…

16. Slide 16 of 18 References Zeller, D. “The Future of Internet-Based Education through Virtual Worlds.” The International Journal of Learning, Volume 15, Issue 10, pp.45-56. Weber, A., Rufer-Bach, K., Platel, R. Creating your world: the official guide to advanced content creation for Second Life. 2008 Wiley Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-0-470-17114-1. For other lessons in Second Life, see the WME wiki, at http://squirrel.cs.kent.edu/wiki/index.php/Lessons

17. Slide 17 of 18 News I will be presenting a Second Life workshop at the SIG-CSE conference in Chattanooga on March 3 rd.

18. Slide 18 of 18 Funding This research is funded by the Research Center for Educational Technology (RCET) and by the Web-based Mathematics Education (WME) team at Kent State University.