Here Be Dragons Second Life Community Building and Citizen Engagement on the Isle of Wyrms Nicola Martinez Sloan-C International Symposium Emerging Technology Applications for Online Learning Friday, May 9th, 2008

Second Life Community Building and Citizen Engagement on the Isle of Wyrms

Nicola Martinez

Sloan-C International Symposium

Emerging Technology Applications for Online Learning

Friday, May 9th, 2008

The Isle of Wyrms leadership has carefully established practices, processes and events that nurture an international citizen participation that keeps visitors engaged and enthused. I will build upon my previous work on community management and citizen engagement on the Isle of Wyrms by focusing on the planning, communications, and design required to create, and manage, interactive events in Second Life. The case study presented will have a particular focus on designing interactive activities and educational events management using the Second Life platform, communication tools, and scripting language. The Isle of Wyrms, Here Be Dragons

The Isle of Wyrms leadership has carefully established practices, processes and events that nurture an international citizen participation that keeps visitors engaged and enthused.

I will build upon my previous work on community management and citizen engagement on the Isle of Wyrms by focusing on the planning, communications, and design required to create, and manage, interactive events in Second Life.

The case study presented will have a particular focus on designing interactive activities and educational events management using the Second Life platform, communication tools, and scripting language.

Virtual Communities Live Music Concert

International Citizenry English (US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ) Dutch French (France, Belgium, Switzerland, French Canada) German Italian Japanese Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal) Spanish (Spain and Latin America) The IOW Leadership makes a concerted effort to recruit guides From among the native speakers of represented language groups

English (US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ)

Dutch

French (France, Belgium, Switzerland, French Canada)

German

Italian

Japanese

Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal)

Spanish (Spain and Latin America)

Multilingual Competitions with international judges

Citizen Group Roles Guest – trial citizenship Citizen - full citizenship Volunteer - citizen helper, non staff Guide - citizen helper, first level staff Mentor - citizen leader, chosen from guide pool Advocate – bridge between citizens and high council members Mayor – elected by citizens from among the citizens Ambassador - not a citizen group role…High Council, citizen representative at large Guardian -Peacekeeper, Leader

Guest – trial citizenship

Citizen - full citizenship

Volunteer - citizen helper, non staff

Guide - citizen helper, first level staff

Mentor - citizen leader, chosen from guide pool

Advocate – bridge between citizens and high council members

Mayor – elected by citizens from among the citizens

Ambassador - not a citizen group role…High Council, citizen representative at large

Guardian -Peacekeeper, Leader

PG SIM No nudity No obscenity No violence No weapons No harassment No begging Citizens Only Build

In World Group Communication Channels Isle of Wyrms Help Forum – Provides 24 hour live assistance drawing from international citizenry. Isle of Wyrms Citizen’s Group- Invitation Only Council of Hatchlings, Council of Wyrmlings, Council of Wyrms- Invitation Only, after authentication and by registration Isle of Wyrms Conference Hall- Staff Communications Channel. Gives staff immediate access to each other and to IOW highest levels of leadership. Dragon Friends – Non-draconian, interested in the dragons and the isles and misc. related groups

Isle of Wyrms Help Forum – Provides 24 hour live assistance drawing from international citizenry.

Isle of Wyrms Citizen’s Group- Invitation Only

Council of Hatchlings, Council of Wyrmlings, Council of Wyrms- Invitation Only, after authentication and by registration

Isle of Wyrms Conference Hall- Staff Communications Channel. Gives staff immediate access to each other and to IOW highest levels of leadership.

Dragon Friends – Non-draconian, interested in the dragons and the isles

and misc. related groups

In-World Communications Live one-to-one assistance: in-world staffing of the Cathedral and the Sandbox, the two places new visitors are most likely to visit. 24 h Live Help Forum Multilingual Notecards In-World Posters that give out notecard information The Herald , a monthly newspaper

Live one-to-one assistance: in-world staffing of the Cathedral and the Sandbox, the two places new visitors are most likely to visit.

24 h Live Help Forum

Multilingual Notecards

In-World Posters that give out notecard information

The Herald , a monthly newspaper

Virtuality and Immersion Cathedral: The Immersive Experience Community in Action Dragons assisting Dragons

Events Management Select Group of Dedicated Volunteers Guardian -Led Team has guardians, mentors, an ambassador and other senior staff Holds Regular Meetings Brainstorms , proposes, coordinates and staffs all IOW events. Each event is assigned a sole coordinator who is assisted by the other team members

Select Group of Dedicated Volunteers

Guardian -Led

Team has guardians, mentors, an ambassador and other senior staff

Holds Regular Meetings

Brainstorms , proposes, coordinates and staffs all IOW events.

Each event is assigned a sole coordinator who is assisted by the other team members

Ongoing Events Drum Dance Circle every other week Wyrm Wyrds storytelling alternating with Drum Dance Dragon Hatching Releases Most Anticipated Event on the Isles. Dragons are released in limited numbers Four times yearly and when a new species is created Summer and Winter Festivals Holiday Events Hatchie “Raids” Otherworld Visits Organized Games, etc.

Drum Dance Circle

every other week

Wyrm Wyrds storytelling

alternating with Drum Dance

Dragon Hatching Releases

Most Anticipated Event on the Isles.

Dragons are released in limited numbers

Four times yearly and when a new species is created

Summer and Winter Festivals

Holiday Events

Hatchie “Raids”

Otherworld Visits

Organized Games, etc.

Planning Process Pre-event Planning Event Coordination Assign Tasks Scheduling: North American Friendly Time Zone Europe Friendly Time Zone 12-3 PM SLT on weekends is the optimal time for both zones to converge Location Planning Space Avatar Size Server Types Prim Allotment Scripts Running (scripts create lag - overall system slowdown and crashes).

Pre-event Planning

Event Coordination

Assign Tasks

Scheduling:

North American Friendly Time Zone

Europe Friendly Time Zone

12-3 PM SLT on weekends is the optimal time for both zones to converge

Location Planning

Space

Avatar Size

Server Types

Prim Allotment

Scripts Running (scripts create lag - overall system slowdown and crashes).

Greeters and Avatar Helpers Crowd Control – someone to guide avatars in the right direction, help them find a seat, move them quickly out of the way if necessary Communications Facilitator (to send notices; manage group chat and IMs, handle the inevitable individual inquiries). Media Manager (Music and Video streams are controlled using the land tools) Staffing

Events Planning Process Interested staff and guild members are invited to attend Events Planning meetings. Ideas are vetted through the events team, who decides which ones become formal proposals, puts a thread for those in the projects thread on the forum, and provide all details and changes using the assigned threads. Guild sponsored events are vetted through the guild, but follow the same processes for getting on the events calendar, providing events details, assigning a guild events coordinator, and requesting resources. If an event is scheduled, event staff use the calendar and forum to manage the event. All staff who participate in an event coordination may post suggestions for that event within the same thread.

Interested staff and guild members are invited to attend Events Planning meetings. Ideas are vetted through the events team, who decides which ones become formal proposals, puts a thread for those in the projects thread on the forum, and provide all details and changes using the assigned threads.

Guild sponsored events are vetted through the guild, but follow the same processes for getting on the events calendar, providing events details, assigning a guild events coordinator, and requesting resources.

If an event is scheduled, event staff use the calendar and forum to manage the event. All staff who participate in an event coordination may post suggestions for that event within the same thread.

Charity Auction Fundraising for Real Life Charities – Converting Lindens to Real Money

Event Coordination Events given the green light are assigned an event coordinator, who is responsible for the planning, execution and follow up for the event. Event coordination includes: managing its forum thread; recruiting and assigning volunteers; creating posters; event announcements to the Herald, group notices, and the forum; running the event; handling event post reporting: photos and details to the Herald as well as a post-event report on the forum. The coordinator doesn’t have to personally do these things. However, s/he is responsible for making sure the details are handled in a timely manner and at the level expected .

Events given the green light are assigned an event coordinator, who is responsible for the planning, execution and follow up for the event.

Event coordination includes:

managing its forum thread;

recruiting and assigning volunteers;

creating posters;

event announcements to the Herald, group notices, and the forum;

running the event;

handling event post reporting: photos and details to the Herald as well as a post-event report on the forum.

The coordinator doesn’t have to personally do these things. However, s/he is responsible for making sure the details are handled in a timely manner and at the level expected .

Spring Fest Wonderland Ball Themed Events Draw Large Crowds

Event Planning Meeting - Sample Events Planning Meeting for Spring-Summer 2008 This is open to interested IOW volunteers, citizen staff, High Council, Guardians and Guild members. When: Saturday, April 5th at 10 am SLT Where: Hedgetopia Meeting Space Agenda : (1) Events Ideas Proposals, Vetting and Scheduling (bring your ideas, this is the meeting for which we decide the events for April, May, June, July, and perhaps even August). (2) Assignment of Coordinators to Scheduled Events (guides and above or guild members for a guild sponsored event are eligible to volunteer to coordinate an event) (3) Preliminary Planning for the June Summer Festival If you can't be there and want to propose an event or to be assigned to one, drop a note in the events mailbox in Limbo prior to the meeting.

Events Planning Meeting for Spring-Summer 2008

This is open to interested IOW volunteers, citizen staff, High Council, Guardians and Guild members.

When: Saturday, April 5th at 10 am SLT

Where: Hedgetopia Meeting Space

Agenda :

(1) Events Ideas Proposals, Vetting and Scheduling (bring your ideas, this is the meeting for which we decide the events for April, May, June, July, and perhaps even August).

(2) Assignment of Coordinators to Scheduled Events (guides and above or guild members for a guild sponsored event are eligible to volunteer to coordinate an event)

(3) Preliminary Planning for the June Summer Festival

If you can't be there and want to propose an event or to be assigned to one, drop a note in the events mailbox in Limbo prior to the meeting.

Technical Considerations Communications Management Dealing with Avatar Anxiety Assisting Newbies Guiding the Misguided Language support if handling multilingual environments Technical Considerations

When Lag Happens, so do: Failed Teleporting; Failed Transactions; Communication Failures; Inability for avatars to move; Failed Group Notices; System Slowdown; Scripted Interactions Failure; Sim Crashes It’s always a good idea to have a Plan B: Alternative Second Life Locations, as well as web 2.0 alternative means of communication.

The Wyrmling Wrangle A capture game in which humans, elves or anthros chase and capture a wyrmling. Wyrmlings were released for the chase wearing a scripted target device. Chasers carried a scripted shooter to catch wyrmlings. Wyrmlings met in the gazebo on Lethe, register and be given their target devices. Chasers met in the glade at Tir na Lir, register and be given their shooters. Chasers hunted the wyrmlings who were running and hiding across Tir Niva, Tir Infernis, Tir na Lir, Cathedral and Limbo. Chasers had to successfully hit a wyrmling target to make the capture. Each capture was followed by a brief reset period to allow the participants to rejoin the game. Prizes were given to chasers with the most captures and wyrmlings with the least captures.

A capture game in which humans, elves or anthros chase and capture a wyrmling.

Wyrmlings were released for the chase wearing a scripted target device.

Chasers carried a scripted shooter to catch wyrmlings.

Wyrmlings met in the gazebo on Lethe, register and be given their target devices.

Chasers met in the glade at Tir na Lir, register and be given their shooters.

Chasers hunted the wyrmlings who were running and hiding across Tir Niva, Tir Infernis, Tir na Lir, Cathedral and Limbo.

Chasers had to successfully hit a wyrmling target to make the capture.

Each capture was followed by a brief reset period to allow the participants to rejoin the game.

Prizes were given to chasers with the most captures and wyrmlings with the least captures.

Wyrmling Wrangle A capture system that resets after two minutes. Rather than be rewarded for one capture, the system records captures and tally up points. First capture of a unique avatar = most points. Less points per capture of same person more than once. Reset time per capture so wyrmling has a chance to escape and chasers can’t “camp”. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prizes to: ****************************** A) Top number of captures per chaser B) Least number of captures per wyrmling

A capture system that resets after two minutes.

Rather than be rewarded for one capture, the system records captures and tally up points.

First capture of a unique avatar = most points.

Less points per capture of same person more than once.

Reset time per capture so wyrmling has a chance to escape and chasers can’t “camp”.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prizes to:

******************************

A) Top number of captures per chaser

B) Least number of captures per wyrmling

Wrangle Game Ground restricted to the following sims: Tir Infernis, Tir na Lir, Cathedral, Limbo

Wrangle Rules Rules: Don't exceed flight limit Don't go out of bounds Don't wear a radar or scanner Play fair Have fun Capture System: Rays==target Lightening bubble ==capture stars==temporarily untouchable Note: Wyrmlings have a reset period after each capture

Rules:

Don't exceed flight limit

Don't go out of bounds

Don't wear a radar or scanner

Play fair

Have fun

Talarus Luan, Celestial Dragon

The Future of Being Human The 21st century is upon us, no longer a futuristic sci-fi fantasy. DNA and cloning technologies exist, as does the cyborg--the machine-extended human being. What is in store for humanity? Our growing technological powers have given us an increasing ability to not only change the world around us, but ourselves as well. The goal of this course will be to read current scholarly viewpoints on the question of being human and to discuss the implications for our future as humans in times of unprecedented scientific discovery, technological advancements, and medical breakthroughs. Activities will help students examine these implications through discussions, a pro-con debate, field research and an optional activity in "Second Life."

The 21st century is upon us, no longer a futuristic sci-fi fantasy. DNA and cloning technologies exist, as does the cyborg--the machine-extended human being.

What is in store for humanity? Our growing technological powers have given us an increasing ability to not only change the world around us, but ourselves as well.

The goal of this course will be to read current scholarly viewpoints on the question of being human and to discuss the implications for our future as humans in times of unprecedented scientific discovery, technological advancements, and medical breakthroughs. Activities will help students examine these implications through discussions, a pro-con debate, field research and an optional activity in "Second Life."

The Future of Being Human-Modules Introduction: Icebreaker Discussion: What are your thoughts on what it is to be human in the 21 st century and the future of being human? Health Technologies: Lifespan, longevity, and related heath technologies. Brain Based Research: advancements in neuroscience research and how they inform our understanding of what it is to be human. Science Policy and the Ethics Question: Overview of science policy issues; discussion on ethics: DNA testing; genetic pre-selection; cloning; stem cell research. Artificial Life : Medical breakthroughs: limb and organ replacements, surgical implants, body enhancements; Artificial Intelligence; The Philosophy of Artificial Life; Emerging media and communication systems Technological Futures: the post human; tracking implants (such as the veri-chip); surveillance futures; the loss of privacy; restricted freedoms; nanotechnologies; emerging technologies Concluding Remarks: Follow up discussion from the icebreaker: now that you have completed the course, what are your thoughts on what it is to be human in the 21 st century and the future of being human?

Introduction: Icebreaker Discussion: What are your thoughts on what it is to be human in the 21 st century and the future of being human?

Health Technologies: Lifespan, longevity, and related heath technologies.

Brain Based Research: advancements in neuroscience research and how they inform our understanding of what it is to be human.

Science Policy and the Ethics Question: Overview of science policy issues; discussion on ethics: DNA testing; genetic pre-selection; cloning; stem cell research.

Artificial Life : Medical breakthroughs: limb and organ replacements, surgical implants, body enhancements; Artificial Intelligence; The Philosophy of Artificial Life; Emerging media and communication systems

Technological Futures: the post human; tracking implants (such as the veri-chip); surveillance futures; the loss of privacy; restricted freedoms; nanotechnologies; emerging technologies

Concluding Remarks: Follow up discussion from the icebreaker: now that you have completed the course, what are your thoughts on what it is to be human in the 21 st century and the future of being human?

The Future of Being Human- SL Activity Students will enter a transformation station and select the avatar of their choice from a pre-determined set of avatars. They will enter the station in their newbie avatar, and exit transformed. During the transformation process, they will receive a HUD and a transportation system that will guide their experience of the following activity: Explore the world wearing a differently-abled, differently sized, or technologically enhanced avatar. The transportation system will include a selection of worlds that are from a historical or imagined past, present, and future. Using the HUD and transportation system, the student will visit these worlds, and analyze them from the perspective of: Being Human (Avatar) The World Itself Emerging Technologies The student will choose which of these perspectives to focus on in the analysis.

Students will enter a transformation station and select the avatar of their choice from a pre-determined set of avatars. They will enter the station in their newbie avatar, and exit transformed.

During the transformation process, they will receive a HUD and a transportation system that will guide their experience of the following activity:

Explore the world wearing a differently-abled, differently sized, or technologically enhanced avatar. The transportation system will include a selection of worlds that are from a historical or imagined past, present, and future.

Using the HUD and transportation system, the student will visit these worlds, and analyze them from the perspective of:

Being Human (Avatar)

The World Itself

Emerging Technologies

The student will choose which of these perspectives to focus on in the analysis.

Contact Information Nicola Martinez Director of Curriculum and Instructional Design Center for Distance Learning 111 West Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-2100, ext. 2276 [email_address]