Group items tagged

An avatar is a graphical representation of one's self, personality or alter-ego while engaging in online communication.  Avatars can range from simple, static 2D graphics to complex, animated 3D forms controlled by the user. First of a great series on avatars. Clear, concise.

YouTube channel - Avatars & 3D Viewers in SL and OS VWs. You are creating a Second Life account / avatar... so, what SL Viewer should you use? SL Viewer Version 3, 2, 1.23 or one of the alternate 3rd party viewers such as Imprudence or Phoenix. I'll go for Imprudence since I'm on a mac and if you are accessing second life and OpenSim, it is the only option for me on a mac. Good series of vidtuts from UCDavis

Painting onto the Second Life avatar in Photoshop YouTube vidtut PSCS4 or 5 extended - clothing, tattoo & skin creation skills for 3D environments. Good vidtut

Source photos for avatar creation, clothing, etc.

What is Second Life: Second Life is a free online virtual world imagined and created by its Residents. From the moment you enter Second Life, you'll discover a fast-growing digital world filled with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. FINALLY - an entry level explanation and portal into SL. Ready to create a new digital you? Learn more about avatars ››

This is great, Cathy!! Thank you for this url!

Brain scans of avid players of the hugely popular online fantasy world World of Warcraft reveal that areas of the brain involved in self-reflection and judgement seem to behave similarly when someone is thinking about their virtual self as when they think about their real one.

Rezzable created an on-line virtual questing environment to support Ytouring 's Starfish production where students learn through questing in a 3D environment about Scurvy and Clinical Trials. After seeing Starfish audiences are invited to enter Steamfish a specially created world. First they create their own character (avatar). In character they arrive on board the recently 'shipwrecked' Stella Maris. This is where they start their quest to learn more about scurvy and clinical trials. 

Tongue in cheek argument between avatars - trying to sell the idea of "real" environments (vs. virtual) Funny 4:46 long.

Expanding on the Air Force's MyBase effort in Second Life, all new Air Force recruits will have avatars used for distance training. Details workplace applications useful in the general workplace as well as military. Good example of how today's learners will function in tomorrow's workplace.

lokiboy is a great example of an avatar blog - blurring the boundaries between 2D and 3D onlines spaces. Shadow of the 13 is an in-world roleplaying mystery - complete with clues and an online website. (See post)

Anyone interested in CSI? What about forensic science to stimulate your science classes? It has posters that give information about the basics of forensic science, as well as scheduled lectures. Inside the examining room, there are pictures (both avatar and real life) of autopsies. In the morgue you can open and close the drawers.

This is another great SL site for beginners. It helps newcomers and people with disabilities. Text on signs are large and easy to read on the boards. It is very much like Discovery Island. It walks you through the simple directions of flying, changing your avatar, IM'ing, etc. I was able to get L$10! There is a place for free stuff also. When I arrived, I looked around, then found a balloon and took a tour. I also went to an auditorium dedicated to Karen Gams. She was instrumental in helping support groups, education for stroke survivors, and people with autism. While searching around, I heard voices. It sounded like a radio show. This is a great site for beginners as well as people with disabilities. If using SL to teach, I would definitely use this site to aid in helping beginners to become more fluent in SL.

Excellent Photoshop tutorials for skills needed for Second Life and similar virtual world graphics and mesh content creation.  Also see her site at http://robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/PhotoshopTuts

Business / training examples of virtual worlds (Second Life)

An installation of Guantanamo Bay Prison in SL. I have to be honest, I have yet to be able to explore it after repeated tries over the past week. I've read about it and am intrigued, but my avatar is unable to collect the prison uniform necessary for the experience. I'm going to keep trying because it looks fascinating. Below is a link to a machinima produced about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT7p231Cfxk

Kate Farrell interviewed regarding using virtual worlds in K12 education - highlighting Science in Second Life (Global Kids) Good explanation Sottish publication

we're here because we can tell stories, we can be inside art, we can give context to conversation and learning and collaborating in ways that are, simply, impossible in nearly every other medium, including reality. Dusan Writer blogs of interactive, collaborative narrative (storytelling) as the compelling reason for virtual worlds such as second life.

Examples of workplace uses of virtual worlds for training simulation and prototyping. Links and examples.