Second Life is an online virtual world where users are represented by avatars. Sarah Jones discusses how the University of Texas at Arlington uses Second Life for networking, training, and educational activities. These activities include meetings, simulations, and information sessions on topics like healthcare, military support, and research. Some benefits of Second Life include reduced travel costs, global access, and an engaging 3D shared experience. While it requires an adjustment to the virtual environment, Second Life provides opportunities to participate in activities and develop a sense of presence.

1. Second Life for Networking & Training Social Networking and Professional Boundaries Workshop Texas Nursing Association District 3 April 16, 2011 Sarah Jones, UT Arlington Library

2. Second Life for Networking & Training Who am I? Sarah Jones, Librarian in Digital Library Services at UT Arlington UT Arlington Campus Lead for Second Life How did I get here? September 2009, UT Arlington entered Second Life Dr. Joy Don Baker in the UTA College of Nursing the first on campus to incorporate Second Life in learning activities

3. What is Second Life? Online, 3D, real-time interactive environment You are represented as an avatar All other avatars you encounter are real people typing at their computers somewhere in the world The environments you visit were created by other real people, just like yourselves It’s not a “game” Secondlife.com

4. UT Arlington in Second Life

5. Why Should You Care? Travel and attendant time and cost Did you make a special trip here this morning for this workshop? Global access to speakers, discussion groups, networking with colleagues 3D, real-time, shared experience designed to visually, aurally, and “physically” support the purpose and goals of the activity

6. Conference Room

7. Activities? Meetings, discussions, presentations, Birds of a Feather gatherings UT Arlington College of Nursing Genomics Journal Club Discussions with targeted groups – Virtual Ability Island community members Training – Idaho Bioterrorism Awareness and Preparedness Program Patient and caregiver support Department of Veteran Affairs – military amputee support Alzheimer’s caregiver support ShockProof and Dreams – Stroke/TIA, Asperger/autism, pregnancy & infant loss, BrainTalk.org communities

8. More Activities - Simulations Simulations UT Medical School Emergency Department – hands-on simulation for emergency medical teams Virtual Hallucinations (UC Davis) – demonstration of the experience of hallucinations of patients with schizophrenia – video Vanderbilt University – teaching faculty how to manage clinical simulations with their nursing students

9. More Activities - Simulations The Testis Tour (Ohio State University) – an “up-close and personal” multi-sensory tour of the male reproductive system – video Virtual Birthing Unit (Second Life Education New Zealand project) – hands-on simulation for midwifery and other birth team students

10. More Activities – Patient Education HealthInfo Island – created with librarians to offer health and wellness information T2 Virtual PTSD Experience – an immersive, interactive learning experience designed to educate visitors about combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

11. More Activities – Research UT Arlington Smart Hospital – Clinical Simulations in the Physical and Virtual Worlds Collaborating with a researcher at Coventry University in the UK Comparing the simulation experience in the physical Smart Hospital and a re-creation of a Smart Hospital room in Second Life

12. Pros? Opportunity for participating in activities, such as above Plus: Sense of Self, Sense of Place, Sense of Presence Embodiment - as you adjust to seeing yourself as an avatar, you start to feel embodied in that avatar .. not scary! but rather you find that what you experience as an avatar becomes part of your entire personal experience (same mind! just one body is made of molecules, and the other is made of pixels) – dancing, floating in water, mirror therapy for amputees Co-presence – the other people/avatars share your experience: visually, aurally, mentally (through the conversations you share) As a result, you “feel” that you are all together, even though physically you are distant. More engaging than a videoconference, webcast, or Skype meeting

13. Places to relax

14. Cons? Technology Need a fairly modern computer with good graphics card for the best experience (but notice my small laptop from 2007) Need DSL or cable internet (wireless can be ok; satellite internet is too slow) “ Culture shock” Can take a while to adjust to “seeing” in a 3D, computer screen, environment Can be an adjustment to “being” an avatar BUT – you do not need to be a gamer or techie nerd Mostly, what’s helpful is to have a flexible imagination to feel at home in a virtual environment

15. Places to think

16. Wanna see? Live tour/demonstration (gulp! Technology willing!) UTA Smart Hospital room - http://slurl.com/secondlife/UTArlington%20III/198/190/24 UT Medical School emergency department - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ao%20Palapala/198/61/25 The Testis Tour - http://slurl.com/secondlife/OSU%20Medicine/74/93/302 - (about 10 minutes) Virtual Birthing Unit (Second Life Education New Zealand) - http://www.ourbodiesourblog.org/blog/2010/04/educational-virtual-birthing-unit-in-second-life-and-facebook-tips-for-midwives - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kowhai/82/213/35 Other places to visit: http://secondlife.com/destinations/learning

17. Questions?

18. Thank you! Sarah Jones - [email_address] University of Texas Arlington, Digital Library Services www.uta.edu/secondlife In SL: Razitra Artizar (Raz) This presentation: www.slideshare.net/razitra