Second Life has system requirements for computers including at least 1GB of RAM, 1.5GHz processor, and broadband internet. It uses the Linden Scripting Language to control objects and avatars. Users can record interactions, lease land for a virtual presence, and examples show it being used for presentations, training simulations, tutorials, and exhibits. Challenges include the learning curve, technical performance issues, privacy, and ensuring skills transfer to the real world.

1. Second Life e-Learning Design Presentation

2. System Requirements Second Life recommend the following: * Second Life is not compatible with dial-up internet, satellite internet, and some wireless internet services. 1 GB or more 512 MB or more Computer Memory 1.5 GHz (XP), 2-GHz (Vista) 32-bit (x86) or better 800 MHz Pentium III or Athlon, or better Computer Processor XP or Vista 2000, XP, or Vista Operating System Cable or DSL Cable or DSL Internet Connection Recommended Minimum Requirements Windows

3. Second Life Installer Initial software installation required: Regular version updates are required Updates can be in excess of 70MB (Mac OSX) 55MB Linux i686 72MB Mac OSX 35MB Windows 2000, XP & Vista File Size Operating System

4. Linden Scripting Language An internal, event-driven, C/Java-style language which allows you to control object and avatar behavior Basic to Expert instruction on scripting offered for free by veteran Residents and Linden Lab staff. Organisations such as the Project Factory can provide in-world design and construction on a fee for service basis

5. Voice Viewer Voice Viewer went live Aug 2007 Voice is part of the main viewer VoIP headset strongly recommended VoIP gives the best sound quality & limits reverb Min. specs: microphone & speakers

6. Recording In-world interaction can be recorded & reviewed at a later date Functionality is relatively new & inconsistent in quality SL removed the built-in movie recorder in favor 3rd-party tools E.g. Camstudio, Taxi & WeGame.com

7. Your Second Life presence To create a SL presence you will need to lease space on an existing Island OR lease your own Island Terrain is completely customisable Islands can be grouped, or joined together to create a neighbouring space Island access can be restricted for limited use OR entire SL community

8. Pricing US$1,675 for 65,536 square meters (about 16 acres) Monthly land fees for maintenance are US$295 SL offer a 50% discount to verified real world educators and academic institutions

9. Examples Of Educational Uses Demonstrations / Presentations Practical Training - Role Plays and Simulations Self paced Tutorials Displays and Exhibits Immersive Exhibits

10. The Old Second Life

11. Demonstrations / Presentations Paper presented on “Researching American Revolutionary War Military Records. Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative The Global Kids project, based in New York and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, is focused on raising young people's awareness on a range of issues including human rights, the rights of the child, the environment and respecting difference

12. Practical Training - Role Plays and Simulations Learning To Sail

13. Practical Training - Role Plays and Simulations IBM’s Real-Time Tennis Tournament

14. Self paced Tutorials Ohio University Second Life Campus Learning Kiosks

15. Displays and Exhibits The International Spaceflight Museum The International Spaceflight Museum hosts exhibits and events about real-world spacecraft, rockets, and space travel at their two islands in Second Life Remember Me Remember Me is an exhibition of a series of photographs by Canadian photographer Cathie Coward that gives visitors a sense of what it's like to be part of the Alzheimer's community

16. Immersive Exhibits GippsTAFE's Resort Project Play2Train - Idaho Bioterrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program Managing Virtual Teams - Industrial and Organizational Psychology in Second Life

17. TheTech Museum of Innovation

18. TheTech Museum of Innovation

19. Accenture

20. Accenture

21. Accenture

22. Accenture

23. Benefits Shared real-time experience Engagement Community Global reach & accessibility Collaboration Safety

24. Challenges Why operate another life when I don’t have enough time for the first one? Cultural shift required for SL to be embraced organisation-wide Digital Literacy - technological competency Imbed orientation & familiarisation exercises “ SL is not developed for a corporate environment" (A, Gronstedt, 2007). "Linden Lab frequently shuts down the site for maintenance with only a few hours notice." (A, Gronstedt, 2007).

25. Challenges "The amount of data driven by SL virtual environment can tax even high-speed Internet connections" (A, Gronstedt, 2007) “ SL processing/graphics rendering becomes stressed in situations where there is a concentration of avatars in a confined spaces” (Tony O'Driscoll, Karl Kapp 2008) Resource intensive, Voice to increase drain Infrastructure discriminate

26. Challenges Privacy: unauthorised access to sensitive information Interaction b/w SL and Firewall Resistance to Web2.0 & Social Networking Demonstrated skill in SL, does this replicate to the real world? All the environmental conditions and risks cannot be accurately replicated SL environment simplifies actual reality, this is both a positive & a negative For a truly valid and reliable assessment of competency, the assessment will need to be conducted in a real world environment

27. Challenges Anonymity can lead to anti-social or uncharacteristic behaviour The Online Disinhibition Effect (John Suler) Where is everyone? Generationally confined to X and Y? Authenticity. I.e. how do I know you are you?

28. "This telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us" - Western Union internal memo 1876 pg 7, Communicating in the 21st Century