Second Life for SAE

WHAT IS SECOND LIFE? Second Life is an online 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab. Similar to massively multiplayer games, Second Life provides an immersive environment for users to meet, play and interact in. However, Second Life goes beyond a game, allowing residents to build and create their own environments; and interact with others from around the globe. Second Life ‘residents’ are designing, conducting business, building relationships, entertaining, learning, and living their virtual lives.

FEATURES OF SECOND LIFE:

Owned and operated by Linden Lab

Second Life can be accessed free – users pay monthly fee to access some features.

Users or ‘residents’ take on a character or ‘avatar’ to represent themselves ‘in-world’.

In-world economy: Residents buy & sell land, clothes, furniture etc.

MEETING AND COMMUNICATING:

Residents from all over the world can meet and communicate with each other in the 3D space using text-based chat tools.

Gestures and animations can be used to enhance communication with others.

CREATING OBJECTS & ENVIRONMENTS:

Building tools which allow users to create almost anything they can imagine .

Scripting tools to create complex objects and environments

Allows for 100% user created content

EXPLORING IDENTITY: Customization of avatars – Second Life ‘residents’ can create highly detailed 'virtual selves'

REAL LIFE IN SECOND LIFE: Real Life organisations are setting up virtual spaces, promotions and events within Second Life. Reuters – a real life journalist is working to report on virtual events American Apparel – first real life store to open a virtual outlet selling virtual versions of their real life fashions. Pontiac (General Motors) are about to launch a virtual racetrack, & car dealership

EDUCATIONAL POSSIBILITIES IN SECOND LIFE:

Working in virtual classrooms & other amazing learning spaces

Taking part in simulations and roleplays

Building environments collaboratively

Interpreting, analyzing, discovering, evaluating, & problem solving.

Campus: Second Life Linden Labs supports a program focussed on the use of Second Life for educational, academic and "serious" applications. Campus: Second Life provides a hub for this community, as well as opportunities for teachers and students to trial projects in Second Life. EDUCATIONAL PLACES IN SECOND LIFE:

EDUCATIONAL PLACES IN SECOND LIFE: Second Life Library 2.0 Real Life Library Project developed by Alliance Library Systems and OPAL. Aimed at extending online library services currently available into virtual spaces Includes library spaces, open-air amphitheatre, reference libraries, displays and exhibits

International Spaceflight Museum

Museum in the virtual world

Hosts exhibits and events about real-world spacecraft, rockets, and space travel

EDUCATIONAL PLACES IN SECOND LIFE:

EDU PROJECTS IN SECOND LIFE:

GIPPSTAFE: Paluma Resort

Students and teachers creating & running a virtual resort

Engaging students in an exciting learning activity

Developing communication skills for the workplace and working effectively in teams.

Researching and exploring virtual worlds and their use in educational delivery

Developing skills in building spaces and creating tools and objects in-world

Creating an educational meeting space for use with teachers and students

Providing tours of Second Life for teachers

MY CURRENT PROJECTS IN SECOND LIFE:

GET YOUR OWN SECOND LIFE!

Check your computer meets the system requirements.

Visit the Second Life website and

Signup for a free basic account.

Download the Second Life software and install it on your computer. (Free)

Visit Orientation Island – setup your avatar and learn about the Second Life environment, tools and controls

EXPLORE SECOND LIFE WITH US: SA Learnscopers are welcome to join me for a live tour in Second Life and to discuss projects for 2007. You will need to signup for your account and contact me to arrange a time. To locate my virtual home in Second Life use the following SLurl: http://tinyurl.com/y9zrts

LINKS & RESOURCES: Second Life Website: http://secondlife.com SimTeach – Edu focussed Wiki: http://simteach.com/wiki Official Linden Blog: http://blog.secondlife.com/ New World Notes: http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/ Second Life Info by Jo Kay: http://jokay.wikispaces.com/Resources Second Life Fotos by Jo Kay http://www.flickr.com/photos/jokay

CONTACT US