This document proposes creating a private virtual world for a school community using the OpenSim platform hosted by ReactionGrid. Students would join a project team to help build the virtual space, learning skills like 3D modeling and object creation. The goals are to promote creativity, showcase student work, and allow new ways for students and teachers to interact. The initial costs are about $1500 for setup and $1350 for annual maintenance. Students would help build areas for subjects like maths and science as well as social spaces. Teachers would be trained to use the virtual world for teaching.

1. Virtual
Worlds
virt
project
proposal

2. Virtual introduction
Worlds Virtual worlds can provide engaging and flexible learning spaces
that offer students incredible opportunities to be creative and
project proposal interact with others.
Whilst a number of different virtual worlds are available for
students, creating a private space hosted by ReactionGrid using
the OpenSim platform, offers excellent support with exciting
possibilities for development.
The private space model will allow the school to develop its own
virtual island that can only be accessed by members of the
school community.
It is a “blank canvas” that will allow the students, under the
guidance of their teachers, to create a variety of objects and
areas especially designed for use by our school community.

3. Virtual over view
Worlds The school would establish a private space using the OpenSim
platform to be set up and hosted by ReactionGrid.
project proposal
In order to set up the virtual space, students would be invited to
join the project team. The group would meet once a week,
ideally during “long lunch”. The group meetings would allow
students to explore different methods of creating a 3D virtual
world, some of which include:
Creating landscapes, buildings and objects using the
“Build “ tools included with the Hippo Viewer.
An introduction to 3D object creation using software such
as Plopp and Sculptpaint. Objects can also be
programmed to move via Scratch for OpenSim.
Creating clothing items for users’ avatars using Adobe
Photoshop.
Creation of objects, buildings and worlds using
applications such as Solid Edge, Google SketchUp in
conjunction with SketchLife and Unity 3D.

4. Virtual goals
Worlds The goals of the program are:
To promote creativity and innovation.
project proposal
To use the space as a means of showcasing student work,
giving tasks a real purpose.
“I’m creating items for our school’s clothing shop.”
To allow staff and students to interact in a virtual
environment, offering a deeper level of interaction that is
sometimes not present via traditional face-to-face
methods.
For staff to have the opportunity to use an engaging
method of curriculum delivery that is flexible enough to
use across all curriculum areas.
To encourage staff to make use of the variety of excellent
Professional Development opportunities available to them
via virtual worlds platforms such as ReactionGrid and the
main grid of Second Life.

5. Virtual requirements
Worlds The Staff ICT Trainer will facilitate the project team, meeting
with them on a weekly basis to plan and oversee the creation of
project proposal the estate. Initially, this committee is likely to be made up only
of students. However, there is already interest from keen staff
who will also be invited to attend as they wish. These staff will
then be encourage to use estate for learning and teaching
activities.
Initially, each member will need to create his/her own avatar
and become familiar with the Hippo Viewer.
Members will then be introduced to a variety of building tools
and be allocated specific projects to work on. The first projects
may include:
A building committee centre to house building resources,
eg: building “freebies” collected from other virtual worlds,
Building tips and how-to’s
A “newbie” welcome area and help centre

6. Virtual requirements
Worlds Projects to follow may include:
project proposal Mathematics area initially featuring 3D shapes and objects
Science area initially focusing on the study of Chemistry
Places of worship
LOTE café, disco or similar meeting space
Student meeting space sto relax, interact, play games,
etc…
The Staff ICT Trainer will liaise with interested staff to train them
in the use of virtual world and use in the curriculum.

7. Virtual requirements
Worlds Software Cost
project proposal Hippo Viewer Free
SculptyPaint Free
Plopp Free
Scratch for OpenSim Free
Photoshop School already has licence
Solid Edge School already has licence
Google SketchUp Free
SketchLife Free
Unity 3D Free

8. Virtual requirements
Worlds Requirement Cost One Off
or Annual
project proposal OpenSim Server set up hosted US $110* One off,
by ReactionGrid discounted by
50%
Annual maintenance fee for US $900 Annual
private space
Set up of public area on US $25* One off,
ReactionGrid discounted by
50%
Annual maintenance fee for US $300 Annual
public space
Advanced Avatar Registration US $500* One off, but
Form provided free
Total Cost 1st Year Total Cost Subsequent Years
Approx. AU $1500 Approx. AU $1350
*Discounts apply due to one year advance payment

9. Virtual resources
Worlds Movies about Virtual Worlds in Education:
Immersive Learning: It’s Game On!
project proposal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARf8VMYRQy0
No Future Left Behind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kra_z9vMnHo
International Society for Technology in Education:
ISTE Second Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP137QgYKvQ
Examples of Schools using Virtual Worlds:
“Ramapo Islands”
Suffern Middle School, New York,
Under the direction of Peggy Sheehy
http://ramapoislands.edublogs.org/
“Booralie”
Northern Beaches Christian School, Sydney,
Under the direction of Steve Collis
http://www.happysteve.com/2009/04/practical-examples-of-3d-virtual-
environments-for-learning-in-high-school.html

10. Virtual Resources for Educators:
resources
Worlds The Islands of Jokaydia
http://jokaydia.com/
project proposal Second Life in Education Blog
http://www.sl-educationblog.org/
Second Life in Education Wiki
http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/
Second Classroom Ning
http://secondclassroom.ning.com/
RezEd: The Hub for Virtual Worlds in Education
http://www.rezed.org/
Ramapo Islands: Show Me the Learning!
http://www.slideshare.net/PeggySheehy/k-online-conference-2008-
presentation
Colorado Technology University Presentation on Research in Second Life
http://www.slideshare.net/lyrlobo/ctu-presentation-on-research-in-
second-life
Learning Principles, James Paul Gee
http://mason.gmu.edu/~lsmithg/jamespaulgee2

11. “I can’t create
my future with
the tools of
your past.”
virt
No Future Left Behind,
Suffern Middle School,
New York.