Please feel free to download this Power-point which is a slideshow summary of the blog "Using Second Life as a learning tool".

1. SECOND LIFE AS A LEARNING TOOL
Nothing is impossible in Second Life
"Second Life is a multi-user virtual platform for
both formal and informal online learning. SL is an
example of a new trend in social learning theory
based on the idea that we can learn from our
interactions in a social
context."(jaimeoyarzo.wordpress.com, 2011)

2. This Second Life PowerPoint will
teach you how to…..
• Increase your personal learning network resources.
• Locate and safely install the Second Life viewer.
• Use the viewer to navigate the virtual world.
• Explore Second Life to increase your learning network.
• Learn through in-world social networks.
• Join in educational groups and classes.
• Follow the rules of conduct and acceptable behaviour.
• Use the various methods of communication in-world.

3. Can your PC run Second Life?
• Is your PC capable of running the viewer?
• Is your graphics card capable of running the viewer ?
• Is there enough memory on your PC to run the viewer?

4. System requirements
• OS All versions of Windows
• CPU Intel Pentium 4, Pentium M, Core or Atom,
AMD Athlon 64 or later
• RAM 3 GB or more
• Resolution 1024 x 768 pixels or more
• Graphics NVIDIA 9000 series, 9600, 9800
200 series, 275 GTX, 295 GTX
ATI 4000 series, 4850, 4870, 4890
5000 series, 5850, 5870, 5970

5. Second Life viewer download
• Register to join.
• Go to the downloads page.

6. The viewer
• Install official viewer.
• Run viewer.
• Edit preferences

7. Using 3rd party viewers
Beware of viewers
that are not in the
Viewer Directory.
Some PC find it
difficult to run Second
Life.
Lack certain software
and hardware
capabilities.
Singularity is less
laggy.

8. Secondlife is split into two communities
Teen Grid
• Age 13-17
• PG rated
• Adult access is limited
• Parental notification
• Educational projects
• Ramapo islands
Main Grid
• 18 or older
• PG (Parental guidance), M
(Mature), and A (Adult)
• Age verification
• Limited account
• Larger community

9. Maturity and content
• M - Mature behaviour and
language.
• PG – No speech language sound
and images not acceptable to the
general public.
• You cannot push or shove another
person’s avatar.
• Considered common courtesy to
apologise.
• Battle confined to non-safe regions or
resident owned regions, designated
as fighting areas can be identified by
the heart icon at top of screen.
• All Second Life regions, search
listings, and Marketplace listings have
a maturity rating that designates the
type of content and its suitability for
different age groups.

10. Second Life viewer guide
Navigating through Second Life
• Basic walking
• Flying
• Teleporting
• Landmarks
• Mini map
• World map
Communication
• Text chat
• Instant messages
• Voice chat
• Gestures
• Animations
• Note-cards

11. Second Life viewer guide
Preference
• Option enabling you to customise
your SL experience.
Appearance
• In advanced mode you can
customise your avatars character
and appearance, from shape
height and look to hair and
eyelash length.
Search
• Viewer has a built in search
capability - Events, Places,
Groups, People, Advertising,
Editors pics.
Currency
• Used in-world is called Lindens .

12. Dealing with trouble
• Sometimes you may have to deal with
difficult people who could
be harassing you (Griefer).To deal
with unpleasant circumstances you
are given these opportunities:
• Report the
person/people harassing you.
• Block the offending person/people
• Customer support

13. Heads-up displays (HUDs)
Huds improve your SL experience
• Translator
• Protection
• Communication
• Movement
• In-world management
• Financial management
• Tracking
• Scanning
• Coding
• Land management
• In-world comfort
• Fun

14. Socializing
• Second Life is an extremely
social place; in-world you can
find just about every type of
social activity there is.
• Events
• Gatherings
• Meetings
• Fundraising
• Memorials
• Friendship
Pic Retrieved from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Second_Life_11th_Birthday_Live_Drax_Files_Radio_Hour.jpg
(LiveDraxFilesRadioHour, 2016)
There are many other topics such as Billing and account
issues, Shared media, Employment or Business.

15. Learning in Second Life
Points to consider about learning in the virtual world
Advantages
• 3D environment
Free
Highly adaptable
Social Interaction
Discovery learning
Facilitates an interactive distance
learning
Encourages the development of
distance communities
Tools to create virtual context,
Simulation and experiential learning
Problem solving ability
Remain anonymous
No passport required
Disadvantages
• Learning Curve
Distraction factors
High hardware requirements: speed
Internet connection, a quick
microprocessor, and a good
video/graphics card
Do not offer tools to monitor and track
students
It isn’t easy to store digital documents
Griefers
• And finally people who have not used SL
before cannot understand its true
purpose, so will think it is only a game.

16. References
• The primary viewer for Second Life is the official Second LifeViewer, available on the main Second
Life Downloads page.
http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/
• wiki. second life, 2016. Retrieved from:
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Third_Party_Viewer_Directory
• singularityviewer.org, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.singularityviewer.org/
• secondlife.com, 2016. Retrieved
from: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/What_are_the_basic_social_rules
• community.secondlife.com, 2016. Retrieved from: https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-
Knowledge-Base/Second-Life-User-s-Guide/ta-p/1244857
• jaimeoyarzo.wordpress.com, 2011. Retrieved
from: https://jaimeoyarzo.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/advantages-and-disadvantages-other-
educational-use-of-second-life-w9/
• facultyfocus.com, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-
learning/second-life-provides-real-world-benefits
• s3.amazonaws.com, 2016. Retrieved from:
• http://lecs-static-secondlife-com.s3.amazonaws.com/work/SL-Edu-Brochure-010411.pdf
• virtualworlds.nmc.org, 2016. Retrieved from: http://virtualworlds.nmc.org/2012/10/01/educators-in-
second-life-east-carolina-university/