The Virtual Learning Commons for Nurses (VLCN) was created in Second Life to provide nursing education and social interaction. It has hosted 17 information literacy classes for over 200 visitors, with 61% not affiliated with the sponsoring university. Surveys found SL was well-rated as a learning and social environment. However, maintaining an active SL program requires significant resources. The VLCN provides a means of networking for nurses from various backgrounds.

1. EASTERN UNIVERSITY
1300 EAGLE RD.
ST. DAVIDS, PA 19087
The Virtual Learning Commons for Nurses:
VLCN Facts:
Using Second Life to Support Nursing
There have been 4 Eastern
University Nursing In-
formatics classes introduced to
SL through the VLCN. Warner Memorial Library’s Adventure in a Virtual World.
Currently 17 Information
Literacy Friday open class
sessions have been presented.
Objectives:
With funds from the Donald A. B. Lindberg Re-
15 Video Tutorials were cre-
ated to run in the VLCN, as a
search Fellowship of 2008, the Virtual Learning
tool for library instruction. Commons for Nurses (VLCN) was created in
the virtual online social world Second Life (SL).
22 PowerPoint presenta-
tions were created to run in
As part of the project, a series of basic infor-
the VLCN, as a tool for library mation literacy classes were offered to
instruction. nurses using SL for education and recreation.
This provided a means to foster social and
The SL Group Learning Com-
mons for Nurses boasts over
professional interaction of nurses from a
115 members. variety of backgrounds and evaluate SL as a tool
for promoting socialization and professionaliza-
To date, over 200 individual
tion among nurses and those supporting nursing
visitors have come to the VLCN
site on Teaching 10 Island. education.
Methods:
In-person observation and real-time interaction provided a subjective analysis of the
“I haven't had much project. Surveys and quizzes using in-world tools provided objective analysis of
the nurses’ learning experience in the VLCN and in generally in SL.
time to explore VLCN
yet, but would love to Conclusions:
learn more about it. SL provides an excellent tool for nursing education and social interaction. However,
The couple times I SL requires a significant investment in finances, personnel time and social capital
did stop by the sim to make it an effective tool.
was empty. “
For more information contact:
Mark D. Puterbaugh
Information Systems Librarian
Warner Memorial Library
mputerba@eastern.edu
610-341-1461

2. PAGE 2
Who’s Behind the Avatar?
A significant number of VLCN members and
This story can fit 75-125 words.
visitors (61%) are not part of Eastern
Your headline is an important part of the newsletter and should be considered carefully.
University.
With regards to professional accurately% of
In a few words, it should status 22 represent the contents of the story and draw readers
the into the story. Develop the headline before you write the story. This way, the headline will
group are RNs, 26% are BSNs or other
Bachelor’s degree, the story MSNs or other
help you keep 26% are focused.
Master’s degree possible are medical librari-
Examples of (several headlines include Product Wins Industry Award, New Product Can Save
ans), 22% are PhD or other doctorate. The Goals, and New Office Opens Near You.
You Time!, Membership Drive Exceeds
remaining 4% list themselves as other, most
notable in this are the LPNs.
For many SL can be The VLCN group has a very diversified nurs-
too time instensive ing and other professional membership .
to master.
“Thank you very
much for this chance
Rating the VLCN and SL on a Scale from 1 to 10
How would you rate your make personal or professional to additional VLCN classes?
to participate ....
SL class experience? contact. Score 6.6
This would definitely Score 7.9 Score 7.6
improve our chances How would you rate your SL How would you rate SL as a
experience overall? place to meet people?
in meeting people
Score 8.2 Score 7
from all over with
Rate the learning materials How likely is your attendance
the same found at the VLCN. to additional VLCN events?
professional Score 7 Score 7.6
background in RL.” Rate the VLCN as a place to How likely is your attendance
Presenters and Contributors
Nursing Many Eastern University faculty, librarians, staff and students participated in the Virtual Learning
student ‘s Commons for Nurses here is a listing of a few who made significant contributions.
imagine Mark D. Puterbaugh, Librarian; Malinda Shannon, Research Assistant; Heather Gorton, BA, Re-
their second search Assistant ;JinJu Kang, RN BSN; Hyun Mi Lee, RN BSN; Mi Young Lim, RN BSN; Joy
life. Dlugosz, Librarian
Outside the Eastern University community other librarians played an important role in develop-
ing resources used in the VLCN:
Swoo Alexandrov, Librarian and Aina Kuo, Librarian and Translator
THE VIRTUAL LEARNING COMMONS