AT LAST! 15 Videos up from James Paul Gee in Secnd Life

by Barry Joseph

In May of 2007, an avatar contest was held on Global Kids island in Teen Second Life. James Paul Gee, the noted professor, came to Global Kids to try on the various avatars -- such as a chicken, a cyberninja and a dragon -- while reflecting on a variety of issues related to games, learning, avatars and online identity.

The following sixteen videos show brief excerpts from his visit:

1. Introduction

2. On Games and Learning

3. On Having a Body in a Virtual world

4. On Modding and Thinking Like a Designer

5. On Being a 59-year Old Balding White Man

6. On Choosing Identity as a Strategy

7. On Video Games as Art

8. On Avatars as a Surrogate Body

9. On Politicians, Second Life, and the Freedom to Offend

10. On Second Life and Youth Entrepreneurship

11. On the Flattening World

12. On Doing versus Knowing

13. On Game Addiction

14. On the Value of Fantasy
15. Farewells

http://www.holymeatballs.org/2007/07/sl_videos_from_james_paul_gees.html

Dante's Inferno

by Beth Ritter-Guth

Literature Alive! is happy to announce the launch of Dante's Inferno and Gloria Naylor's Linden Hills at http://slurl.com/secondlife/NMC%20Campus%205/224/14/55

Many thanks to Larry Pixel at NMC for donating the temporary space, and to Eloise Pasteur for volunteering her time and efforts in building.and scripting.

Globe Theatre Grand Opening

Globe Theatre Grand Opening

Renaissance Island (204, 45, 27).

Sunday, July 22, 2007

1 PM-6PM

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The original Globe Theatre opened a few years back in the Autumn of 1599 in Southwark on the River Thames. Join our scholar and builder as they discuss the history of this remarkable Elizabethan theatre.

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There will be two discussions/Q & A sessions, fireworks, and a dance, too! Not to worry--William Prynne will not be reading from his loathsome Histriomastix against theatre and dancing. Do feel free to wear your favorite Renaissance/Tudor period attire! (Visitors will find free attire in the welcome center located at 69, 183, 150).

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Here is the schedule:

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1-2PM Discussion by Dolgoruky Umarov (in RL Dolgo has a PhD in English and Theatre Arts and has performed in 4 major Shakespearean roles; he has also researched the Globe Theatre extensively). Dolgo will be joined by Globe builder extraordinaire Charlene Trudeau. A Q & A Session will follow.

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2-5PM Globe(al) Dance Party with Fireworks around 3.

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5-6PM Dolgoruky and Charlene will repeat their earlier program

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Copyright and Intellectual Property

FWD by Beth Ritter-Guth

This is an interesting clip!

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=419962477

Summer Of Love Music Festival

by Chris Hambly

I'm putting this early email out to inform you of the Summer Of love Music Festival, taking place on the sim of AUDIO August 3&4.

The wiki has only just gone up but I want to share this with you guys very early so you can book a space/slot for yourself, either performing, or reading or some such activity. As well as the main events I can see potential for you to place posters with info about your services etc.

Do get in touch off list.

The wiki is here:
http://audiocourses.pbwiki.com/summer-love

SCI FI technology article

FWD by Carol H. Tucker

"Why SL will never go mainstream"

http://blog.scifi.com/tech/archives/2007/06/28/shift_why_secon.html

Exhibition in SL

by Julia Gaimster

I always enjoy reading this list and thought I would reciprocate by inviting you all to our Graduate Showcase. http://slurl.com/secondlife/London%20College%20of%20Fashion/137/194/25

This is a selection of images from the showcase we recently held in the London College of Fashion. I have tried to incorporate some innovative ways of displaying images but would be really grateful for any ideas on how to improve this. It is my first build so there are some glitches if you look too closely. It has been a very educational experience and I have to thank Ripple Savard for help with the scripting. The rest of the island is yet to be developed and we are going to involve staff and students in decisions about what we create and how we use it. We are not aiming to replicate the college but to create areas that enable creative thinking and activities and we are keen to develop collaborative projects using the space.

On another topic I am conducting some research about emotions and interactions in virtual environments and would love to hear from anyone who would like to share their experiences with me.

Monroe College grand opening

by Barbara E. McMullen

MONROE COLLEGE OFFICE OF ONLINE LEARNING INTERNSHIPS

INVITATION

A WESTERN HOE DOWN!

SPREAD THE WORD, ALL ARE INVITED!

The Monroe College Second Life campus is hosting its grand opening and open house on Sunday, July 22, 2007 from noon to 8 pm. We invite you to celebrate with us the ongoing work of the Monroe Office of Online Learning Internships.

• Enjoy an old fashioned hayride.

The Monroe College hay wagon and horse will start around NMC's Teaching Island starting at Monroe College every hour on the hour, starting at noon with the last ride beginning at 7 pm. It will make stops at the following locations on the island where you can disembark or embark before returning to the Monroe SL campus.

Start: Monroe College
Stop 1: New York University
Stop 2: Harper College
Stop 3: Sloan Consortium
Stop 4: Darton College
Stop 5: Williams College
Stop 6: Wright State University
Stop 7: Clemson University
Stop 8: UW Bothell
Stop 9: Cochise College
Stop 10: Global Kids
Stop 11: Monroe College Hoe Down
Stop 12: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Last stop: Monroe College Office of Online Learning Internships

• Dance all day.

Grab your partner and dosado! Square dance to the music and calls of the Monroe College Country Band.

Come dressed for a hoe down. Ladies and gents, we will have dance dresses and other western outfits for you to use if you don't know what to wear.

• Eat until you burst.

A Texas barbeque will be cookin up all the ribs, dogs, and burgers you can eat. The barbecue is next to the tent that is covering the dance floor. When you can't eat any more, join the dancers on the floor and burn off all those calories.

• Ride our merry-go-round and lots more!

• Hang out with Monroe College interns, faculty, and staff

Go into the Monroe College Online Learning Internship office and be greeted by our interns, who will give you lots of information about Monroe and the Online Learning Internship program.

Sit around in the Student Union or the Interns' Lounge (upstairs) and chat all day.

Visit the Office of the Internship Director and leave your calling card.

• Read welcome notes from:
• Internship Director, Ms. Jennifer Friary (Jennyfer Flanagan, SL)
• Dean of the Monroe College School of IT, Janice Girardi (Janeanne Capalini, SL)
• Dean of the Monroe College School of Business, Tiloki Depoo
• Professor of IS at Monroe College, John McMullen (Johnmac Maverick, SL)
• Dean of Online Learning at Monroe, Barbara McMullen (Bobbee Allen, SL).

Bring your friends! There will be fun for all.

PLEASE GIVE THIS INVITATION TO YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. ALL ARE WELCOME!

RSVP
Bobbee Allen

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Teaching/149/186/21
Search Places or Groups for Monroe College and teleport.
We are at 149, 186, 21

Barbara E. McMullen
Dean of Online Learning
Monroe College

Global Kids' CRC Machinima Summer Camp - Now open!

by Tabitha Tsai

=====GK'S CRC MACHINIMA CAMP, SUMMER 2007=====

Global Kids will be hosting a Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Machinima Camp within Teen Second Life in the summer of 2007. The CRC Machinima Camp will involve exciting leadership-development activities and fun workshops that will deal with important children's rights issues related to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a document produced by the United Nations.

The CRC Machinima Camp will last for 5 weeks, beginning July 23 to August 23, 2007.

Participants will be expected to attend the program Monday to Friday during the 5 weeks, from 11am to 1pm Second Life Time. Each session will last for 2 hours, with an extra optional hour to stay for additional help and troubleshooting.

This program is expected to have 20 participants from all walks of life, if you are interested in making machinima videos and have a desire to learn more about children's rights, this is something you would not want to miss out on.

So what is CRC Machinima Camp?

CRC Machinima Camp is a summer program for teens in SL who want to make socially-conscious machinima videos on issues that deals with children's rights, specifically raised in the Convention on the Rights of a Child.

This is the first ever machinima camp hosted by Global kids, in collaboration with UNICEF. The final machinima videos will be showcased at the Second Life Community Convention in Chicago, USA on August 25, 2007, and later this fall by UNICEF. Participants will be learning the how-tos and fundamental techniques of making a machinima, taught by none other but Machinima Guru herself, otherwise known as Moo Money on the main grid, and be able to understand the significant role that the CRC plays in the life of a child all around the world.

A little background on what CRC is:

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, often referred to as "CRC", is an international convention setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. It is monitored by the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of members from countries around the world. Governments of countries that have ratified the "CRC" are required to report to, and appear before, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child periodically to be examined on their progress with regards to the advancement of the implementation of the "CRC" and the status of child rights in their country. ( http://www.wikipedia.com/)

What will you be doing?

Through fun activities and workshops, this program will be a chance to learn about how the CRC works, and what role teens can play by making social-conscious machinima videos in TSL. Teens who take part in the CRC Machinima Camp will identify rights declared in the CRC, create a storyboard as a film maker, and collaborate with other campers to create a 1-minute machinima that will be showcased in the teen grid, and also at the Second Life Community Convention in Chicago, USA.

Who should apply to CRC Machinma Camp?

There is no age requirement, so as long as you can roam around in TSL, you are eligible to apply! CRC Machinima Camp will be a lot of fun, but it will also include a lot of serious discussion about important issues related to children's rights around the world. Participants should be motivated and enthusiastic, enjoy watching films and have a desire to make their own films in TSL. You should be interested in raising awareness and making a difference in the world by using digital media technology available in TSL.

At the CRC Machinima Camp you will be encouraged to think freely and openly about all kinds of global issues and form your own opinions about these issues. You should apply if you are interested in taking part in lively discussion with a diverse group of individuals who offer a variety of perspectives. You must be able to work well with others, showing respect for people who come from different backgrounds and people who have opinions that differ from yours.

What kind of commitment does Global Kids expect from the participants?

Participants will be expected to give their full attention to CRC Machinima Camp activities while camp is in session. Part of being a participant will include contributing your point of view and taking an active part in the camp's activities.

Participants will also be expected to support an atmosphere of respect. This includes treating each other with respect and also showing respect for other people's opinions.

Global Kids will not tolerate disruptive behavior like PVPing, excessive gesturing, or the use of unacceptable language. All participants are expected to respect the Global Kids guidelines and offer each other support through the 5 weeks session.

What can you expect from Global Kids?

In exchange for your participation, here is what you can expect to find:
o We will offer participants a safe space where individuals treat one another with respect.
o We will provide a chance to learn a lot, and have fun at the same time.
o You will have the opportunity to learn about important issues, formulate your own opinion and learn how you can make a difference in the world.
o You will get the chance to take on a leadership role in Teen Second Life, as the participants of Camp GK spearhead a project in the teen grid.
o We will provide a place where each person's voice is heard.
o A $50.00 USD stipend for all participants who complete the program.

How can you apply?

To apply to the CRC Machinima Camp, you will need to fill out the online application form at:

http://globalkids.org/?id=64

Any questions?

Please IM Tabitha Gkid in-world, or email her at Tabitha - at - globalkids.org for questions or more details.

Watch an example?

If you want to see an example of a teen-made machinima produced by past GK youth leaders, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/3x2l8o

cfp: Learning and Research in Second Life

by Jeremy Hunsinger

Call for Papers/Participation

Please join us in a workshop on learning and research in Second Life on October 17, 2007 in Vancouver at Internet Research 8.0 (http://wiki.aoir.org/index.php?title=About_IR8.0 )

Paper Deadline August 15th.

Second Life(R) is a 3d virtual environment created by Linden Lab which has captured the attentions of researchers and teachers from around the world from a variety of disciplines.

This workshop aims to improve the understanding of Second Life as a Learning and Research environment. It will bring 35 researchers together to collaborate, discuss and workshop diverse topics related to research and learning in Second Life. We will pursue a full-day schedule in which participants will discuss their work and interests on four different topics: learning in Second Life, integrated learning, the contributions of research to the community and ethical
research methods. How can we better enable learning in this sphere? How can we better enable research?

As a highlight, Robin Linden will give a talk to the group, and members of Linden Lab will participate throughout the day.

We encourage researchers to submit papers and short biography to slworkshop@tmttlt.com which will be selected and distributed amongst participants before the workshop. First invitations will be offered to those who provide full papers for consideration.

These papers have two purposes: first is to provide a common platform for understanding our research and teaching and second submitted papers may be considered for publication in an edited volume being produced in relation to the workshop, or possibly in peer reviewed
publication derived from the workshop (these are currently under discussion).

Subsequent invitation will be made based upon research/teaching statement and biography. If you are interested in participating, please send an email containing your information to
slworkshop - at - tmttlt.com.

Decisions will be made by September 1st, barring incident. There is a limit of 35 participants at the physical meeting; the event will be simulcast into Second Life.

We welcome professionals, faculty and graduate students to participate.

This workshop is sponsored by Linden Lab creators of Second Life and is organized by Jeremy Hunsinger and Aleks Krotoski. Free lunch, coffee breaks and the room is included in participation.

Short article on the open metaverse

by Giulio Prisco

http://transumanar.com/index.php/site/the_open_distributed_metaverse/

It has been a pleasant surprise seeing the progress made by libsecondlife, opensim etc. Opensim may become a serious contender if they manage to achieve the critical mass that an open source software development project needs.

Interview with AjaxLife creator Katharine Berry

FWD by Ed Lamoureux

Interview with AjaxLife creator Katharine Berry

Mon Jul 9, 2007 12:07pm PDT

The Second Life blogosphere was aflutter on Monday with news that a talented young Teen Grid resident named Katharine Berry had created a prototype Second Life viewer that works within a Web browser.

http://secondlife.reuters.com/stories/2007/07/09/interview-with-ajaxlife-creator-katharine-berry/

Access SecondLife Via Firefox!

by Lindy McKeown

From this comment that has some screen shots...

http://greydawning.net/jackson/?p=45

that led to the maker's site

http://blog.katharineberry.co.uk/2007/07/02/ajaxlife/

From THE BLOG of Katharine Berry

...an AJAX based SL client.

It's still under heavy development, but the result so far is an application/page/site called AjaxLife.

Features

• Basic map
• Teleports
• Accepting/declining teleport offers
• Local chat, instant messages (partially - you can't start them except with online friends)
• Inventory received notifications
• Friend on/offline notifications
• Balance change notifications, etc.

It also correctly logs you in and out, and notifies you if you were disconnected for any reason.

Known issues

• It will not work correctly on the MG (well, the map won't anyway) - in the unlikely event anyone cares, sorry.
• IE7 refuses to register double clicks on the map, making it impossible to teleport using it. IE6 works fine here.
• There's no interface to start IMs implemented, although you can respond to those sent to you.
• Sometimes SL sends the teleport messages in the wrong order, resulting in the modal teleport wait dialog never leaving.
• Teleports sometimes complete without notification that they ever started.
• IE tends to screw up with dragging the map

Global Kids and the Macarthur announce a non-profit thread at this year's SLCC

FWD by Joyce Bettencourt

For Immediate Release:

Jonah Kokodyniak, Global Kids

Global Kids and Partners to Launch Non-Profit Focus at Top Convention on Virtual Worlds

Global Kids and the MacArthur Foundation have partnered to announce a new nonprofit and philanthropic theme for the third annual Second Life Community Convention (SLCC), to be held August 24-26 in Chicago. In conjunction with the event, a series of research and how-to papers will be published this fall.

"With inhabitants skyrocketing into the millions, it is only natural that some of the million-odd nonprofits in the US might ask questions about their new role" noted organizer Barry Joseph of Global Kids. SLCC is currently the largest gathering of people interested in one the most rapidly growing online worlds – Second Life. The funder behind the effort is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which views the new SLCC work as one of the next steps in the Foundation's year-long exploration of the role of philanthropy in virtual worlds. The new focus for SLCC builds on Global Kids' path-breaking educational programming in that environment.

For the conference portion, a new event thread will weave between all four tracks: business, education, social and machinima (digital animation created in gaming environments). For each track, a panel will be developed that focuses on how non-profit organizations are utilizing virtual worlds to extend their mission and reach. The panels will feature:

• Education keynote Connie Yowell, Director of Education at the MacArthur Foundation, will address the importance of virtual worlds for informal learning and its nonprofits.

• Philanthropy funders, including foundation, corporate and government organizations who are supporting work in virtual worlds, such as the MacArthur Foundation and Learn and Serve America, will discuss the role of philanthropy in virtual worlds.
  

• A panel on Best Practices in Bringing Non-profits into Second Life including such organizations as the University of Southern California, UNICEF, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Idealist.org and TechSoup.

• A teen-led mini-machinima festival, in which teens from two non-profit programs will showcase their work using Second Life to make animated movies about social and global issues.

• An Educational Non-profit's History of the Teen Grid: Global Kids' Adventure in Best Practices .

Following SLCC, two papers will be developed by Global Kids. The first will analyze the education track and be titled The Virtual Worlds for Learning Roadmap , while the second will analyze the non-profit thread.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private, independent grant making institution dedicated to helping groups and individuals foster lasting improvement in the human condition. MacArthur's $50 million digital media and learning initiative aims to help determine how digital technologies are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life. More information is available at http://www.macfound.org/ or http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org/.

Global Kids (globalkids.org) is a world leader in using virtual worlds for education. Over the past year and a half, with the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Global Kids has received national recognition for its innovative use of virtual worlds for education about global issues and civic engagement. In February 2006, Global Kids launched GK Island, becoming the first non-profit to build land within the Teen Second Life grid. Since then, Global Kids has used Teen Second Life to solicit essays on young people's relationship with digital media; conducted an intensive summer camp in which youth learned about and took action on critical global issues; organized a collaborative program with UNICEF to educate youth about an international agreement, A World Fit for Children; brought in guest speakers, such as Mia Farrow discussing the genocide in Darfur; and involved youth in ongoing leadership development programming. This work is detailed on the blog HolyMeatballs.org .

Global Kids work in Second Life builds upon its more than 15 years of experience in youth leadership development and international affairs education, as well as its role as a national leader in using serious online games for educational purposes.

"Global Kids' Second Life programs offer young people a world in which their characters can take part in myriad workshops and games that educate them about major world issues and events, from the International Criminal Court to global warming and child labor," says Carole Artigiani, Global Kids Executive Director. "Players learn how to communicate, collaborate, negotiate, and mobilize their peers for social change. We are excited to organize this component of the conference and bring greater attention to the potential that virtual worlds hold for the nonprofit community as a whole."

About Global Kids, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Global Kids' mission is to transform urban youth into successful students and global and community leaders by engaging them in socially dynamic, content-rich learning experiences. Through its leadership development and academic enrichment programs, Global Kids educates youth about critical international and domestic issues and promotes their engagement in civic life and the democratic process. Through professional development initiatives, Global Kids provides educators with strategies for integrating experiential learning methods and international issues into urban classrooms. Over ninety percent of the high school seniors who participate in Global Kids' leadership program graduate from high school.

About Global Kids' Online Leadership Program (OLP)

Global Kids' Online Leadership Program, now in its sixth year, integrates the use of the Internet into GK's leadership development and international affairs programming. The OLP equips youth with the skills necessary to use the Internet as a tool for research and social change and develops online resources for educators and young people to promote civic engagement and global literacy. Currently, the OLP is accomplishing these goals through initiatives within two broad areas: youth-led online dialogues and the development of socially-conscious games. The OLP has built strong collaborative relationships with Microsoft, the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and the game design company gameLab, among others.

UK University and College developments in SL

by John Kirriemuir

I'm carrying out a small study looking at UK academics and organisations who are developing educational services in Second Life.

Consequently, I am tracking down academics, colleges and universities in the UK who are providing, or intending to provide, such services within the SL environment.

This work is for the Eduserv Foundation, who organise events in SL/RL and have their own island. It's rather funky and worth a visit. Their website:
http://www.eduserv.org.uk/foundation

Their associated blogs:
http://efoundations.typepad.com/efoundations/second_life
http://artfossett.blogspot.com/

In SL I'm Silversprite Helsinki. In real life I'm John Kirriemuir and live on the Outer Hebrides (currently suffering a drought!) off the west of Scotland. Details here:
http://www.silversprite.com/

If you are in UK HE or FE and have built or provided an "education service" (am cool and flexible about how that is defined) in SL, then I'd like to please chat and ask a few questions. The report will be made public later in the summer on the Eduserv Foundation website, so it's a chance for you to advertise what you've done / achieved. Some findings will also get presented
at the Gaming, Learning and Libraries symposium in July:
http://gaming.techsource.ala.org/

Avatars for educators: contact info

by David Simmons

From the simteach wiki it lists Hereteic Linden as the contact.
http://tinyurl.com/2xtd68

What does it cost to bring my students and faculty into Second Life?

All basic accounts in Second Life are now free to everyone. This means that students can sign up on their own for a basic account for no charge whatsoever. If you'd like us to set up student accounts for you and assign a unique last name for everyone, we will need: 1) the full real name of each student, 2) their email address, and 3) the unique last name you'd like for everyone. Each Second Life account will then have the student's real-life first name and the last name you requested. The fee for setting this up is $150 for up to 25 accounts (if you'd like more than 25 accounts, an additional fee of $150/25 accounts will be charged). Please contact Hereteic Linden for details on setting up these accounts.

Virtual Worlds Trends Analysis for Program Builders

by Jennifer Jones

Bellevue Community College just published a Virtual Worlds Trends Analysis for Program Builders. http://bellevuecollege.edu/informatics/VWTAFinal.pdf It is directed at Community College program builders, but is very general and could be applied to all levels of education. The paper focuses on SL, but mentions other products as well. It is available in print by contacting informatics -at- bcc.ctc.edu, but functions best as an electronic document, due to the many links to resources. Our other Program Building resources can be found at http://bellevuecollege.edu/informatics/lsicresources.htm