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This is a wiki that explores educational uses of different virtual learning environments. It was really interesting learning about programs/tools other than SL, such as augmented reality. Click on the "About Us" link to find out more about the Horizon Project.

A great place to learn how to use your avatar for people like me who are a little frustrated. Plus there is a lot of free stuff to collect. Non-threatening! I didn't have anyone approach me and ask if I liked vampires like I did on Discovery Island. I also acquired a great picture changer there. Some very useful freebies. If you are a collector - go to ISTE.

I was there too! I appreciated all of the resources and free tools. I got a ISTE t-shirt and hope to be sporting that at the next class.

I enjoyed the learning aspect at this location, mostly due to its utility and choice. I found it simple to navigate and gain a better understanding of SL.

This is the official Second Life YouTube channel. Featured here are many vidtuts - including the series here: Viewer 2 Beginner's Tutorials. These are GREAT how-to resources! Please check them out!

Second Life Viewer 2.0 (now the default viewer for Second Life users) allows new capabilities to share and embed many types of online media. This blog post explains and points to some beginning examples of this powerful feature.

Link fro ISTE Island to Second Life video tutorials

I got this link from ISTE ... it is a Wiki loaded with video tutorials - official and resident created. The topics are wide ranging ... my daughter is a fencer, so naturally, I can't wait to view the En Garde product. Dana

Describes the VW tools that are available for use in education.

I have been trying to export Google Sketchup creations into SL and happened on this tool: SketchLIfe I am about to try it and will report on the ease of use.

SketchUp models to Second Life 

This is a faithful reproduction of the Spanish-built presidio in Santa Barbara from 1786, created by a grad student named Shelly Long from Cal State Northridge. The buildings are beautifully done, but the rooms are mostly empty. It is worth the trip to see the chapel. It's interior is very detailed including intricate artwork, wooden furniture, and lighted candles. You can even kneel at a prayer bench and recite the Lord's prayer! I picked up a free set of archaelogist's tools. Young students might enjoy this exposure to a piece of early California history, following up with internet research into the lives of the people who lived here, including their lifestyle and sustenance.

I agree with Robert this is a great way for students to be exposed to a piece of California history. I'm wondering if there are more presidios or missions just like this? I enjoyed the aesthetics of this simulations too. It is very well done with lots of interesting details, such as the burning fireplace. The local radio music however, was a tad annoying. I'd like to have seen a few interactive opportunities included, such as creating notecards that outline "what you've learned".

Possible activities for students when introducing Second Life. I like planning activities for my students. I thought that having us build campsites was an excellent way to learn the "Build Tools". Here are some activities that might help with planning on teaching students basics in Second Life.

With the message of Earth Day freshly in my mind, I decided to investigate Etopia. I found this location to be informative and fun. Compared to other landmarks, this island is relatively small which allows the visitor to experience everything it has to offer in under an hour. I could see this site being useful for an educator attempting to spread the "green" message. With all the island had to offer, it would be a great tool for any level learner. Some interesting things that I experienced in my time on Etopia include: farmers market (free food), e-train and gondola rides across and above the island provide a quick overview of the island, wind turbine farm that you can tour, water recycling plant, opportunity to build a sail boat and see the island from the water, a drum circle in the middle of a forest (reminded me of a Grateful Dead concert scene), a green house growing flowers, fruit and vegetables, several compost bins, and a co-housing community built w/ eco-friendly materials to name a few. If you are interested in the environment or are looking to get students interested, Etopia would be a good location to experience a wide variety of "green" topics.

The Internet-based Free-Ed.Net whose slogan is"Free Education for All" has taken to Second Life as a medium. This site is a virtual campus that feels much like a community college, with each building representing a certain discipline (humanities, nursing, math, science, IT, etc.) Features an advanced Teleport system that allows you to browse different courses and locations within campus. Allows you to access different courses online by choosing links to them in the various locations. There are lots of information kiosks and support mechanisms throughout, including the site owner, making it easy to navigate. Handy for expanding one's knowledge in various areas of interest at one's own pace.

This site has a list of virtual campuses and a list of Science and Health SLURL's.

A great video with awesome flow and experiential rationale in its explanations. Emphasizes the engagement factor related to students' technical skills. Discusses enhancement and role playing. Check out "smoodle" segment... around 4:10. It showcases the value of SL through locations, tools, and more.

This is an excellent site that would be great for educators or business people who want to improve their virtual skills, expand their virtual contacts, or hold meetings. This site was created and is maintained by a university in the UK. I found a place for educators to make appointments to get help for improving their skills in the virtual world, many educational tools such as interactive slide shows and art exhibits, and a group I could join that connected me with other like-minded educators. The site was easy to navigate, well-designed, and loaded with content. Even though I spent nearly two hours here, I felt as though I barely scratched the surface. The only thing that I still find a bit odd is that I do not know why the title is Sexual Health SIM. I did not find anything related to health care. But again, there is so much more that I did not search.

Here is an interesting article on how virtual reality is used for physical rehabilitation. People in the rehabilitation community and neuroscientist question whether virtual reality truly affects the nervous system or if it just serves as motivation for the patient in a controlled environment.