Dr. David W. Deeds' presentation for Bett MEA 2019 (https://mea.bettshow.com/) in the 21st Century Skills and Knowledge Theater. "Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools" covers Dr. Deeds' 13 years of experience with these versatile, affordable immersive/virtual education environments. Not ready yet for Virtual Reality? Try Virtual Worlds!

1. David W. Deeds
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

2. Quick introduction:
•Teaching/training ~20
years, ~50-50 between
higher ed & K-12, using
VWs since 2006
• Currently IT Director for
Schutz American School
in Alexandria, Egypt
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

3. Goals for today:
• Can’t cover everything,
so inverted-pyramid
style, and flipped!
• We can start with getting
some of you inworld by
downloading and
installing a viewer
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

4. This will be a custom
choice/combo of three
presentations that I’ve
given over the years:
1. Standard “it’s-so-
geeky-cool” demos
2. Hands-on exercises
3. Do-it-yourself local
installation
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

5. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Sorry, no phones…
no tablets…no
Chromebooks!
At least not yet.
Windows, Mac or
Linux desktops or
laptops only.

6. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Download and install the Singularity viewer:
singularityviewer.org

7. Background material:
“EdTech Evangelist”
slideshare.net/
davidwdeeds/serious-play-
conference-edtech-
evangelist-converting-the-
unbelievers-63730565
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

8. Background material:
“Games-Based Learning”
slideshare.net/
davidwdeeds/david-w-
deeds-its-not-whether-you-
win-or-lose-serious-play-
conference-2017
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

9. Background material:
“Introducing GBL 2 K-12”
slideshare.net/
davidwdeeds/david-w-
deeds-bett-mea-
introducing-gbl-to-your-k12-
school
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

10. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds vs. Virtual Reality

11. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

12. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Reality:
•Undoubtedly geeky-cool!
•Bottom line: can’t afford the
hardware (gear or PCs!) now
•Alternatives using phones,
but no creation/collaboration
•Conclusion: Virtual Reality a
few years away from Reality

13. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
In the same situation? Then check out VWs!

14. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
“Third-person”
“Mouse-look”
“2D 3D”?? ;)

15. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

16. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds:
•Affordable, even FREE!
•Lots of platforms, but it’s
gotta be OpenSimulator
•Recommend that you use
host with good internet
(Dreamland Metaverse)
•hypergridbusiness.com
for more information

17. dreamlandmetaverse.com
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

18. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds:
•“Serious game” or just
game (e.g., Minecraft)?
•Second Life, Active
Worlds, OpenSimulator?
•Hosted solution or local?
•IT class only or cross-
curricular unit to start
(easier in IB schools)?

19. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds:
•Somebody’s gotta be a
techie (and then leaves?)
•No browser-based viewer
(no tablets/phones/CBs)
•“Old school” vs. VR
(“cartoony-looking”)
•Can die suddenly on you
(e.g., MinecraftEdu)

20. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds, the BEST
platform for supporting:
•Creativity
•Critical Thinking
•Collaboration
•Cooperation
•Communication
•Connections

21. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Virtual Worlds:
•Visit VWBPE, attend online
conference (also OSCC)
•Join ISTE VEN (Virtual
Environments Network)
•ISTE Conference this June
in Philadelphia, PA, USA

22. OpenSimulator Community Conference:
conference.opensimulator.org
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

23. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
OK, got the viewer installed?
Start Singularity and click
the Grid Manager button.

24. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
In Grid Manager, click the Create tab.

25. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
For Login URI, enter “http://209.126.208.163:9005”
For Grid Name, enter “Bett MEA” (just text).
CClick the Apply
button and then
The OK button.

26. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
The Grid or Login URI you entered should be selected.
For Username, enter “Test One,” “Test Two”… up to
“Test Twenty.”
Enter the password I tell you.
Then click the Log In button.

27. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
And you’re inworld!

28. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Navigation and Other Basics

29. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Building (the coolest part!)

30. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
See what I mean?

31. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
This ain’t Minecraft!

32. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Programming Basics

33. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Hypergridding

34. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Lesson Plans

35. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Art

36. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Music

37. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Science

38. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Global Collaboration Projects

39. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Been using OpenSimulator in K-12 since 2009.

40. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Yes, administrators will be skeptical at first. ;)

41. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Best to ask forgiveness instead of permission!

42. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Sneak it in under the radar, e.g., as an ASA.

43. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Subject Matter Experts:
Lorraine Mockford
Programs Chair, VWBPE
(Virtual Worlds Best
Practices in Education)
vwbpe.org

44. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Subject Matter Experts:
David Fliesen
CEO, Cibola Studios
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
cibolastudios.weebly.com

45. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Subject Matter Experts:
Gord Holden
Director of Immersive
Technology, Heritage
Christian Online School,
British Columbia, Canada
onlineschool.ca

46. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Reference:
“Using Virtual Worlds in
Educational Settings”
By Lisa Jacka
Published by Routledge
ISBN: 978-1-138-30558-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-72890-1 (ebk)

47. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Reference:
“Design for Learning in
Virtual Worlds”
By Brian C. Nelson and
Benjamin E. Erlandson
Published by Routledge
ISBN: 978–0–415–88639–0 (hbk)
ISBN: 978–0–415–88640–6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978–0–203–83637–8 (ebk)

48. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
See you inworld!

49. Cartoons by Studio Jonos
studiojonos@gmail.com

50. Follow my Scoop.it pages!
www.scoop.it/topic/3d-virtual-worlds-educational-technology
www.scoop.it/topic/integration-and-teaching-ed-tech

51. Thank you/‫جزيال‬ ‫شكرا‬ !
August, I’ll
As of August, I’ll be the IT Manager for
Lincoln Community School in Accra, Ghana!
ddeeds@lincoln.edu.gh

52. Thank you/‫جزيال‬ ‫شكرا‬ !
Questions or comments?
ddeeds@schutzschool.org.eg
davidwdeeds@gmail.com

53. OpenSimulator: Getting It Free
53
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

54. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Download and install OpenSimulator:
opensimulator.org/wiki/Download

55. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Extract the files.

56. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Locate the StandaloneCommon.ini (text) file
(/bin/config-include).

57. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Open with a text editor, find: “WelcomeMessage”

58. Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools
Plug in some white space around the “Welcome.”

59. Change the URIs to Local Host, 127.0.0.1:9000
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

60. Locate OpenSim.exe (/bin), start it.
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

61. At New region name [ ], enter “MyLocalGrid”
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

62. Press Return to accept defaults for:
• Region UUID [x]
• Region location [1000,1000]
• Internal IP address [0.0.0.0]
• Internal port [9000]
• Allow alternate ports [False]
• External host name [SYSTEMIP]
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

63. •For New estate name [MyEstate], just enter the
region name again (MyLocalGrid).
•For Estate owner first name [Test], enter yours
or whatever (Stud)…or accept default.
•For Estate owner last name [User], enter yours
or whatever (Muffin)…or accept default.
•Enter your password (e.g., davesagenius).
•For Email, press Return.
•For UserID[x], press Return.
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

64. When you see Region (YourName) #, that’s it!
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

65. Singularity: Local Host, Username, Password…
you’re inworld!
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

66. You load and save OAR (OpenSimulator
ARchive) files. Free: from the command line.
Dreamland Metaverse: via the web interface.
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

67. Lab: Command Prompt, use ipconfig to get
server IP. Change StandaloneCommon.ini URIs.
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

68. Add grid to Singularity clients.
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

69. Students (and you) log in! Have fun!
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools

70. Go to SlideShare and search for my name.
Example: slideshare.net/davidwdeeds/oscc14-
using-opensimulator-in-k12-schools
Using Virtual Worlds in K-12 Schools