1) The author visited two islands in Second Life - Biomedical Research Island and Genome Island - and found settings on both islands that could engage radiologic science students. 2) Biomedical Research Island contained a hospital building that could introduce students to a clinical environment virtually, while Genome Island's focus on DNA structure and function could support a course on radiation biology. 3) Overall, the author was impressed by the virtual environments and their potential to actively engage learners through hybrid courses and virtual meetings.

1. Second Life Meeting
EDU-681100
M4.4 SL Meeting-Field Trip
20 November 2013
Mark Ness

2. SL Utilization for Intended Learners
• I visited both Biomedical Research & Genome Islands:
• I believe both locations/settings would immediately capture the
interests of radiologic science learners
• The Biomedical Research island would be an ideal location to hold
small group meetings with new students, prior to students beginning
clinical assignments
• Using the S.H.R.O. hospital bldg. setting as a meeting site location
could serve as a virtual clinical education experience to introduce
students to clinical in a controlled environment
• Radiologic science students complete a radiation health
physics course that includes radiation biology:
• The Genome Island setting would serve as an ideal setting to send
learners to to complete a hybrid/blended learning assignment
related to DNA structure and function prior to introducing DNA
damage caused by ionizing radiation exposure

3. Picture #1
• Solo Visit:
• Mark Ness – Recorder

4. Picture #2
• Being greeted by an artificial life avatar as I enter the Biomedical Research bldg.

5. Picture #3
• Animated DNA artwork – really cleaver!

6. Picture #4
• Virtual lab

7. Picture #5
• Virtual labs requiring radiation warning signs!
• This specific sign is used to identify radiation exposure levels greater than 0.005
R/hour (5 mR, or 0.05 mSievert), but less than 0.1 R/hour (100 mR, or 1 mSv).

8. Picture #6
• Great meeting location – if viewing screen supports PowerPoint slide display, a
virtual lecture for a hybrid/blended course can be held here!

9. Picture #7
• Wasn’t quite sure why the Biomedical Research bldg. included a bar, but thought I
should at least peruse the collection of spirits!

10. Picture #8
• This is what happens when your avatar spends too much time “perusing” at the
bar, he ends up dancing on the bar! (I actually chose the stand command thinking
that’s how my avatar would get off the bar stool, and had to laugh at where he
ended up!)

11. Picture #9
• I was extremely impressed with my tour of the S.H.R.O. bldg.! I would foresee
holding mandatory meetings in this location with new radiologic science learners
prior to beginning clinical activities. The idea of using a virtual space to introduce
learners to a virtual clinical experience is limitless with regard to possible learning
concepts that can be introduced and practiced.

12. Picture #10
• A familiar sight (PA & Lateral chest images) greeted me in the virtual surgical suite!
However, in today’s OR, x-ray images would be displayed via an electronic
monitor, since images are predominately obtained using digital imaging technology.

13. Picture #11
• Another familiar sight (CT or MR unit (not sure) in foreground & radiation therapy
unit in background) greeted me in a virtual examination suite!

14. Picture #12
• On the side of the virtual CT (or MR) unit, I discovered this image. This is a head
CT image (midbrain area). The image depicts a severe pathologic condition, caused
by bleeding or a mass (tumor)!

15. Picture #13
• I found more familiar sights adorning walls in the S.H.R.O. bldg.

16. Picture #14
• I was greeted by virtual cell upon my arrival at the Genome Island.

17. Picture #15
• My intended learners complete a general college biology (+lab) course and A&P I/II.
Learners are introduced to fundamentals of DNA structure & function. Learners
compete a radiation health physics course that introduces fundamental concepts of
radiation biology (i.e., DNA/cellular damage caused by ionizing radiation).

18. Picture #16
• Virtual representation of a protein (in the form of an enzyme) – in this case a
lysosome.

19. Picture #17
• One of the many floors in the Genome complex! A great place to hold a
hybrid/blended radiation biology (radiation health physics) course’s virtual
meeting/lecture!

20. Picture #18
• A virtual cell floating in the Genome sky! I explored this island by foot and by air.

21. Picture #19
• I grabbed a floating seat at the Genome Science Theater and waited for the next
lecture! Again, if the screen supports display of PowerPoint slides, what a great
location to hold a virtual lecture/meeting (or office hours!) for a hybrid/blended
course.

22. Picture #20
• As the day relinquished to night in the Genome Island, I was treated to a spectacular
sunset!

23. Overall Impression of SL Tour
• I thoroughly enjoyed my tours of both the Biomedical Research &
Genome islands within ESC’s SL island!
• The SL meetings and activities we have completed as part of our
course have helped me to gain an understanding of and appreciation
for the potential benefits virtual learning environments can create to
actively engage learners (specifically digital natives) in the learning
process.