3D Virtual Worlds: 
from Inset to classroom, a learning environment for all
(Second Life and Virtual Worlds)

A Naace event  http://naace.co.uk/

See cost and book online at http://tr.im/mS9x
or http://www.naace.co.uk/859

This Google Docs document lives at
http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddf7p68s_844g3r5gcc2
http://tr.im/miHZ 
this doc will stay here indefinitely.
 
Chris Smith (SL: Shamblesguru Voom) 
Gareth Davies (SL: Nye Dagger) 
Carol Rainbow (SL: CarolRb Roux) 
  • in RL based in Oxfordshire
  • carol.rainbow@oxfordshire.gov.uk, carolrb@rmplc.co.uk
Leon Cych (SL: Eyebeams Electricteeth)


Hash TAG for Event
#vwnaace

Date: 30th June 2009
Time: 9:45am to 4:15pm
Venue: Bonhill House – London near Liverpool Street (http://www.etcvenues.co.uk/venues/bonhill-house). Walking instructions from Liverpool Street ( http://bit.ly/C53b5 )

Target Audience:
This day is designed for:

  • a) those educators who have some experience of Virtual Worlds such as Second Life but either want to make more use of it professionally, or to find out about alternatives.
  • b) those educators who know little or nothing (about VWs), and feel they would like an introduction to Virtual Worlds with possible ways into using it in their work.

 

It is hoped that this event will appeal to both those that know little about Virtual Worlds and also those that have some experience and wish to make more of it in their professional life.

Description:
Virtual Worlds are increasingly being used to provide rich learning environments in which teachers can engage learners in new and engaging ways. This event is aimed at both those that know little about Virtual Worlds, and need an introduction to look at ways in which it might help them in their work, and those that have some experience and wish to make more of it in their professional life. 
Led by Chris Smith (Shamblesguru Voom in Second Life), the day will explore Second Life as a environment for Teacher CPD, how one Local Authority is using SL, SL Teen Grid and how some schools are using this with teenagers, and alternative lower cost ‘walled garden’ virtual worlds for younger age groups.

Tech requirements plus Connectivity:
  • The venue does have wireless connectivity, but it would be appreciated if you would bring your 3G dongle with you if you have one.
  • Please bring a headset (headphones and microphone)
  • You will need free Quicktime player installed on your machine to view videos in-world
  • It may help with collaboration if you had a Twitter Account .... and you were already following the co-ordinators .. hash tag #vwnaace
There are some tech "challenges" when having multiple SL users on a network behind a Firewall, we can talk about them on the day ... not a bad problem but good to be aware if using in a school, see Firewall URL in the Links at the foot of this page if interested.        

Pre-Session Homework:
It would be advantageous if you could bring a laptop with you (but the day would still be worthwhile if you are unable to) .. if you do bring a machine then it would save time if you could (if not done already):
    a) register and choose a Second Life avatar name https://join.secondlife.com/
    b) download and install the Second Life Viewer on your machine  http://secondlife.com/support/downloads.php
    c) fire up the viewer and log in ... just to see if your machine is able to function .. sometimes there are driver/video card incompatibilities System Requirements
    c) if time have a look at some of the videos at http://virtualenvironmentvideos.blogspot.com/

Format
Although each session has a 'lead' facilitator it is hoped that they will be collaborative events ... so don't forget to pack (in your old kit bag) all your experiences, skills and questions for the day ....  

Shamblesguru AudioBoo Channel

BACKCHAT

Preferred Live Session Chat Page (using Gabbly) [Shamblesguru]

Twitter
It would help if all attending had a Twitter account

Preferred Twitter #TAG Reader  [Shamblesguru]




9:45
 Gareth Welcome notes/urls
10:00 Chris General Introduction to Virtual Worlds inc Second Life: setting the scene,
VW Videos

SL Tutorials

11:00 Break

11:30 Chris (chair)
+ Panel . 		The Teen Grid [TG] (for students 13-18) in Second Life
Panel Discussion in Second Life : mixed reality meeting (real life and second life)
Panelists are:

The Second Life Teen Grid (ages 13-18)
Shamblesguru give a 3min (boil an egg) intro to Teen grid
Panel members to each give a 9 minute introduction to the work they have done in Second Life on the Teen Grid with Students
(with links to where more info can be found)
Q&A for the panel ... Ophra Winfrey style on the sofas
  • Tips for getting started, and real-life examples of classroom transformations
  • What has been the feedback from students?
  • What would your advice be for teachers who are considering entering SL TG
  • Maybe ask panel members to ask a question to another panel member
  • others  ... from the audience
I suspect even with these few questions ... we are going to find that the hour goes very quickly
    Techie Stuff:
    If you are attending in-world then


    What does SL Teen Grid Look like? ....
    click on this image to see some postcards sent from TG by students.
    snapshots that are being sent by students who are in the second life teen grid

    p.s. any resemblances between Shamblesguru Voom and Ophra Winfrey are purely coincidental

    		3:30am SL time

    TG Linden Labs

    TG Shambles

    TG Cost




    12:45 Lunch

    1:30 Carol Rainbow

    SL name

    Carolrb
    Roux
    (Oxfordshire) LA using SL
    Intro in real world by Carol - talk about how we came to be there and what led up to the e-safety in-world sessions.

    Join a group already in-world - colleague Nick Speller, Sl name Nic Byron with at least 3 people, Anna Sydenham OP Professor SL name Juanita Muggins,  Peta Bowker, Spanish Teacher Sl name Gizmo Latte and Brian Smith, Naace member, semi retired ICT consultant SL Name Aristotle Smidt. These are people that have done the e-safety training with us, we will join them in a live demo - a section of one of the sessions showing video / back channel, discussions & collaborative work on an e-safety poster.

    Carol is likely to leave them finishing off the session but demoing the discussion decks - may wll be video - Carol will stay linked into SL

    The video examples are:

    The video clip giving the intros and why people like learning in Sl is
    here http://blip.tv/file/2308996
    Watching the video and back channel http://blip.tv/file/2309347
    Short discussion after the video http://blip.tv/file/2309394
    Making the poster http://blip.tv/file/2309299
    The discussion on the decks http://blip.tv/file/2309169

    Back to in-world group to give their evaluation of what learning in SL is like - how it works etc give real delegates and opportunity to talk about it

    Where next for us?

    Show photos or video clip from the next ICT Area meeting held in SL - this is the latest addition to our SL work and due to be held - so filmed etc on June 8th

    If time - and the whole thing is not completely planned yet, working on it now -
    Carol to briefly show holodeck work and sound work for language learning - all future projects

    Questions

    All to take place in RL or in EduNation mostly our ICT Team plot - http://slurl.com/secondlife/EduNation/15/202/22

    The leaflet with the write - up of the trial - http://www.ict.oxon-lea.gov.uk/OXONLINE/Ox-on-Line%20Summer%202009.pdf 

    Techie issue - getting voice working in RL and SL - need to be able to switch RL mic off whilst I am in world so that my voice is being relayed through SL


    2:30 Leon OpenSIM and alternatives

    Looking at the various alternatives to Second Life including the various Open Sim grids.

    IBM's Wonderland Project

    The completely rebuilt RealXtend viewer.

    EduSim

    Second Life itself is not Open Source but its viewer is.

    Most Open Source grid alternatives have begun to spring up in the last few months - several of them are now beginning to offer a viable commercial alternative to Second Life.

    I will be looking at these alternatives and the various packages including Cobalt and Edusim and how they can be used inside/ outside the school network and the packages on offer or downloadable.



    3:30 Break

    3:45 Gareth + ChrisPlenary / Conclusions / Prize Giving
    4:15 END














    Resources / URLs



    http://communities.naace.co.uk/secondlife





    SL TimeNew YorkLondonBangkok





    PRIVATE NOTES (temp)
    for Shamblesguru

    Teens on the Main Grid : http://www.flickr.com/photos/kjarrett/2363057786/in/set-72157604219210005/


    SL Ticket requesting multiple access behind Firewall

    Submit a Ticket - Confirmation Thank you for submitting your issue to us. The tracking number for your new ticket is #4051-6483394. You can track the status of your ticket in My Support History. If you have any questions, contact_us.

    "Karen from the venue has spoken to her I.T Department and the external IP for the connection would be 84.92.194.169 and 84.92.194.170 – is that everything you need?

    Kind Regards

    Anna"