Shanghai  2008 .... Learning 2.008
18 to 20th September 2008
http://learning2cn.ning.com

This (working) document exists for the purpose of integrating the use of Second Life (3D online virtual world) to support the Learning 2.008 Conference.

There is a Second Life Group on the conference Ning Social Network which can be accessed at
http://learning2cn.ning.com/group/secondlife

Organisers
The two organisers for this aspect of the conference are

Second Life Venue
The venue to be used in this programme is International Schools Island (isi) in Second Life

Pre-Conference
Three meetings in Second Life prior to the R.L. Conference.

Purpose
Dates
The three consecutive Sundays before the  R.L.event

Time
Fitting in with time zones is a real challenge, this time is initially suggested.

Note ... it's not known if any of these zones clocks will have change to 'winter time'

Facilitator to invite
Open invitation
There is an open invitation for others to attend ... not just conference participants.
Vehicles used to 'spread the word'
 Note ... a single SIM can only hold about 40-50 avatars .. so there is a limit

Advice to those attending
For complete 'newbies:
For others
Details of the specific area being used on the Island will be posted inworld.

Format and Duration
Recording and Archiving the three sessions
email sent to presenters 23th June 08
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Shanghai  2008 .... Learning 2.008
18 to 20th September 2008
http://learning2cn.ning.com
 
Firstly apologies for this impresonal 'group' email which we are sending to all presenters who have been invited to the Shanghai Learning 2.008 'Conference' in September.
 
"We" being me, Chris Smith (Shamblesguru Voom) and  David Gran (Satirios Ebbage), Shanghai American School : David.Gran@saschina.org 

Hope this doesn't come as a shock but we would like to invite you to one of the pre-Shanghai Conference events to be held in Second Life on Sundays 31st August and also 7th  and 14th September.

The time of the session will be 

Each session will last one hour with a 'round table' format focussing on the topics you are offering at the R.L. event followed by a Q&A session, chaired by myself or David. (or both)
The venue being used in Second Life is 'International Schools Island"  SLurl http://tinyurl.com/2o44dw and we  would be using 'voice chat' so you would need to have your headset (loud speakers are usually problematic because of feedback as you probably already know).

... and the reason for doing these sessions.

We were going to go into details about why we are organising these sessions .... but the phase "Grandma's and sucking eggs' came to mind ... needless to say it is to support strengthening the conference community, an increased opportunity for collaboration and to 'walk the talk'. I wonder if they could be considered as the ultimate ice breakers?

So we hope you are up for this ....
Now what we would appreciate, before the end of July, is for you to let us know which of the three dates you would be able to attend.

I'm not sure how much experience you already have in Second Life ... if at the low end and you need a mentor to get up to steam then please just contact me by email to arrange a convenient time ... my rates are very reasonable ... "a beer in Shanghai" ;-)
 
For interest it is also planned for these S.L. sessions to evolve into a regular monthly speakers series apre-conference at a time suitable for educators working in Asia.



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During the Conference

David ... not had time to put anything here yet




Apre-Conference

It is planned to run a regular ongoing series of "Speakers" events in Second Life throughout the academic year on the same model as the ISTE events held every Tuesday evening (SL time).