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Virtual Environments Enable New Models of Learning Hundreds of leading universities and school systems around the world use Second Life as a vibrant part of their educational programs. Linden Lab works enthusiastically with education organizations to familiarize them with the benefits of virtual worlds, connect them with educational peers active in Second Life, and showcase their inworld projects and communities. A large, active education community-with hundreds of K-12 and higher education members-are engaged in Second Life. The Open University, Harvard, Texas State, and Stanford are just a few of the many universities that have set up virtual campuses where students can meet, attend classes, and create content together. Second Life has also proven a valuable professional development medium for educators. Organizations such as the NMC have fostered shared learning among educators and are networking, running inworld seminars, conferences and symposia on learning and creativity related to virtual worlds. Visit the NMC website to learn about the range of Second Life related information and activity on offer or learn about the programs produced by their diverse international membership.

"It feels great to answer a question correctly, and to receive positive feedback from facilitators and peers. Participants often don't expect positive reinforcement from virtual courses. Find ways to build in opportunity for tangible rewards and recognition - even for asynchronous programs. Ensure participants know that the time they spend in virtual programs is recognized as a valuable contribution to their professional development."

"The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM) is an NSF supported project that began in 1999 to develop a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis). The project includes dissemination and extensive internal and external evaluation. "

" EON Reality, Inc. is the world's leading interactive 3D solutions provider for business and education based on Virtual Reality technology. It's powerful break through interactive 3D collaborative technology enables users to experience more by revolutionizing the way companies leverage their digital assets and communicate. [ learn more ] With EON's software tools and applications including Interactive 3D Virtual Meeting, Customer Interaction Management, Simulation Based Learning and Immersive 3D solutions users are able to create realistic authentic product experiences anytime, anywhere. EON delivers versatile productivity to the energy, aerospace/defense, education, government, industrial and medical sectors. Industry leaders and academic institutions use EON's solutions to increase sales, better communicate product functionality, decrease cost of training and travel less by facilitating rich 3D communication over distance."

KZero Worldswide is a consulting company positioned at the heart of the rapidly growing and wildly exciting sectors of virtual worlds, virtual goods, augmented reality and 3D gaming.

"The World's First Visual Browser, bringing the physical and virtual worlds together. Aurasma is a free app that lets you discover, create and share amazing virtual content, integrated into the real world. "

"Welcome to the resource page for K-20 Virtual Instruction Tools. Alternate URLs: http://tinyurl.com/VirtualTools & http://goo.gl/vLsxD Please navigate the tools and resources provided by clicking the menu items on the left. Feel free to add comments to any page with additional tools or how you've used any of the resources. "

Virtual worlds for youngsters. They can explore everywhere

What we have learnt Recently Chris Flesuras from Kyoto Gakuen school created the movies below (Part 1 and Part 2). Not much more than a year ago MLC school began our journey and were very unsure of how virtual worlds would work.  Since that time we have had many meetings, many trial activities, many failures and successes.  What Chris' videos say to me is that we have learnt plenty.  I invite you to watch both parts and enjoy.  Whilst it is only explaining one event within Skoolaborate I believe it clearly shows how our understanding on 'how to work with Education in Virtual worlds' has grown.

"Atmosphere of Innovation: What's Your 20% Project? September 27, 2012 - by Adam Renfro You don't want to be the one who can't breathe in this atmosphere of innovation. I've had the great opportunity to work with some impressive leaders who always encouraged innovation and creativity. One went on to lead the 18th Airborne Corp, another became the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, another went straight from principal to superintendent, and others went on to start, resurrect, and transform state-level virtual schools. I'm lucky indeed."

"Whether it's called eLearning, virtual learning, cyberlearning, online learning or online education, providing academic content online is gaining momentum in California and across the nation. The California Department of Education (CDE) has created several useful resources related to online education that you will find here: California Directory of Online Schools and Programs (CDOSP): This Web page features a map of California showing county boundaries. When a county is selected, a list of schools or programs offering a minimum of 30 percent of instruction online in that county will be visible. Information on each school will include grade levels served, accreditation status, programs offered, curriculum, and more. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related to K-12 Online Education in California : A useful resource for teachers, administrators, county and district staff, and others interested in online education. Glossary of Terms Related to Online Education: A listing of the most commonly used online education terms with a definition of the words as used in the CDE Web documents."

"The web's leading FREE school-to-home communications tool! SchoolNotes provides teachers with a virtual environment, giving the ability to post classroom or school oriented information. This information is accessible anywhere there is an internet connection giving both parents and students the opportunity to keep in touch with what is happening in the classroom. With SchoolNotes Teachers, Parents and Students are all on the same page! If you are not a current SchoolNotes user, you can either register for a FREE account here, or visit the Teacher, Student or Parent tabs above. "

"ORVSD is a free resource for online teaching and learning designed to promote the use of technology in Oregon classrooms. We offer Oregon public school educators the opportunity to find and share online resources, learn and use cutting edge online tools, and discuss how to put them to use in the classroom. Whether you're thirsty for more or just getting started, we're here to help."

Jane Good, a teacher with 21st Century Virtual Academy, works from her home in Thornton, Colo. on Jan. 11, 2012. Nick Pandolfo Teacher Jane Good hurries around her kitchen on a recent morning in her Denver suburb, preparing breakfast in what will serve as her work attire for the day: black exercise pants, a black, long-sleeved running shirt and white slipper booties. "

"Best Practices in Online Learning Posted June 26, 2012 in Online Learning From David Evans A recent Time magazine article, "The Teacher You've Never Met: Inside an Online High School Class," profiled Jane Good, one of Colorado's 21st Century Virtual Academy K-12 teachers. As a teacher who only sees her students' hands raised through buttons clicked on a screen and will never be able to tell if a student has dozed off on his or her desk, Good realizes that there are effective and ineffective practices for teaching in an online classroom."

If you are a parent, teacher, or other adult working with children, this blog aims to help you learn, as much as possible, about helping digital kids grow into thoughtful, collaborative, and savvy digital citizens. The blog's mission is to provide context for adults - defining and clarifying digital world issues, 21st Century learning challenges, and those virtual environments and devices that children take for granted.

"EXPLORE UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS"

Welcome to Museum Box, This site provides the tools for you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would you put in a box to describe your life; the life of a Victorian Servant or Roman soldier; or to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary? You can display anything from a text file to a movie. You can also view and comment on the museum boxes submitted by others.

"MyArtTutor is focused on teaching art using virtual classes that give you a full assortment of what a tutor has to offer. You can interact with other students, ask questions, and hear how a tutor answers other students with similar questions. You have access to the class indefinitely! The classes change and update constantly. New classmates ask new questions and there is constantly new content from MyArtTutor and on occasion, a new comment from your tutor. You just never know!"

Shidonni is an innovative startup, developing the next generation of creative 'virtual' worlds for kids. Shidonni is providing a safe environment where kids and their parents can create imaginary worlds and animals, play games and interact with friends. Shidonni is based on unique proprietary patented algorithms and using Microsoft Silverlight.