International avatars attend virtual conference
Danielle Wolf: Muleskinner
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: News
Second Life has sparked a culture that has brought education, humor and entertainment to many of its users' "first lives." Jeffries and Davenport laughed about their first experiences with learning to use their avatars. They joked about virtual birds seemingly attacking their avatars and embarrassing clothing malfunctions leaving them half-naked in public.
Davenport, known on Second Life as Holly Cheeky, learned quickly though. She navigated from one virtual portal to another, describing to fellow staff members the international places her avatar had visited.
"I think what's really nice is that you can meet anybody," Davenport said. "You can go to virtual Tokyo and you don't even have to know Japanese."
Many speakers noted that someone who is a frequent video-gamer may be less impressed with the graphics - as they are currently user-invented. However, the use of Second Life as an educational tool is immeasurable.
"It's very impressive," said Barbara Carder, assistant director for distance learning at UCM. "It would be great for innovative professors who are technologically-savvy."
With 5,000 international members in more than 10 different countries currently using Second Life, it is possible to meet another avatar and explore the virtual world together. Users can open businesses, buy cars, go to dance clubs and museums or even discuss social issues with users from around the globe. Networking groups provide educational forums to discuss issues such as poverty, war, the economy and disease.
While Carter is the only professor at UCM regularly using Second Life as his virtual classroom, other faculty members are already considering the opportunities it would allow. Students can find UCM's virtual island on Second Life by searching for Selmo Park.
In celebration of Distance Learning Week, scheduled events take place through Nov. 14 and can be found on the University Web site.
Davenport, known on Second Life as Holly Cheeky, learned quickly though. She navigated from one virtual portal to another, describing to fellow staff members the international places her avatar had visited.
"I think what's really nice is that you can meet anybody," Davenport said. "You can go to virtual Tokyo and you don't even have to know Japanese."
Many speakers noted that someone who is a frequent video-gamer may be less impressed with the graphics - as they are currently user-invented. However, the use of Second Life as an educational tool is immeasurable.
"It's very impressive," said Barbara Carder, assistant director for distance learning at UCM. "It would be great for innovative professors who are technologically-savvy."
With 5,000 international members in more than 10 different countries currently using Second Life, it is possible to meet another avatar and explore the virtual world together. Users can open businesses, buy cars, go to dance clubs and museums or even discuss social issues with users from around the globe. Networking groups provide educational forums to discuss issues such as poverty, war, the economy and disease.
While Carter is the only professor at UCM regularly using Second Life as his virtual classroom, other faculty members are already considering the opportunities it would allow. Students can find UCM's virtual island on Second Life by searching for Selmo Park.
In celebration of Distance Learning Week, scheduled events take place through Nov. 14 and can be found on the University Web site.
Be the first to comment on this story