Harnessing the power of using virtual worlds (specifically Second Life) for professional development provided by VSTE Island in Second Life.

1. Harnessing the Power of Your
“Second Life”
for Professional Development
Marie Booz
Coordinator, Instructional Technology
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
VSTE and VASCD December 2009
Marie.Booz@VBSchools.com

2. What is Second Life?
MUVE
Multi-User Virtual Environment
Over 100 Virtual Worlds (Both 2D & 3D)
Avatar
Self Representation
Requires a Viewer
Free Download

3. Why Second Life?

4. Why Second Life?

5. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account

6. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)

7. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)
ISTE is Here!
(International Society for Technology in Education)

8. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)
ISTE is Here!
(International Society for Technology in Education)
Over 5500 K-12 Educators

9. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)
ISTE is Here!
(International Society for Technology in Education)
Over 5500 K-12 Educators
Over 200 Universities Worldwide

10. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)
ISTE is Here!
(International Society for Technology in Education)
Over 5500 K-12 Educators
Over 200 Universities Worldwide
Over 5000 Higher Ed

11. “I don’t have time for my first life ~ why
do I need a Second Life?”

12. “I don’t have time for my first life ~ why
do I need a Second Life?”
It’s is NOT a “second life!” It is a rich, rewarding,
entertaining, fun and professionally valid extension of
my life, the only life I have to be a part of a creative
and challenging new realm.
Scott Merrick

13. Innovative Professional Development
Virtual worlds have the potential of delivering effective
and meaningful professional development by providing
educators with...
Innovative ways to accomplish travel
Flexible time
Variety of modalities
Engaging speakers
Immersive technologies
Relevant curriculum content
Professional Learning Networks

14. Potential Obstacles
Access
Budget constraints
System requirements
Broadband connection
Learning curve
Disruptive innovation?

15. Second Life: Two Worlds
Main Grid Teen Grid
Adults Only Teens (13-17)
Age Verification Adults ~ Limited Access
PG/Mature/Adult Parental Notification
Larger Community Educational Projects
Account Limits Ramapo Islands

16. Sim/Island Ownership
Sim/Island Educational Noneducational
Set-up Fee $700 $1000
Size 65,536sqm 65,536sqm
Prim Count 15,000 15,000
Avatars 40/100 40/100
Monthly Tier $147.50 $295
Homestead and Open Space Sims

17. Getting Started in Second Life
www.secondlife.com
Second Life Educators Program

18. ISTE in Second Life
Volunteer Docents
Orientations for Newcomers
Networking Opportunties
Guest Speakers
Workshops
Social Events
Eduverse Talks

19. Professional Development Opportunities
in Second Life for Educators
ISTE Island ~ Tuesday and Thursday Nights
ISTE Tours ~ Every Other Sunday
VSTE Island ~ Every Monday Night
DEN ~ Every Wednesday Night
Virtual Pioneers ~ Every Other Sunday Night
Atlantis Rising ~ Fourth Monday of the Month

20. Virginia Society for
Technology in Education
(VSTE) whose vision is to be
VSTE Island Sim
an influence in technological
innovation in education and
be recognized as an agent of
change across the
Commonwealth, recognizes
that VSTE Island in Second
Life is dedicated to
promoting excellence in
education through
professional development
endeavors for its
membership base and the
wider educator community in
a multi-user virtual
environment.

21. The VSTE Island Builders
Alfredo Jazmemo Mandie Thunder
Bedrosian Zimminy Mimulus Insippo

22. The VSTE Island Facilitators
Harryhausen
Gator Beeswing Cyndyl Enyo
Steampunk
Wittsofwanda Yosemite
Cyrus Hush
Zapatero Wahwah

23. VSTE Island Facilities

24. VSTE Island Facilities
VSTE SL Headquarters
Community Center
Meeting Pavilion
Sandbox
Teacher Resource Center
Jamestown Settlement

25. Virtual Jamestown on VSTE Island
James Fort Powhatan Village
Meeting House Longhouses
Susan Constant Scarecrow
Discovery Eastern Woodlands
Godspeed Dugout Canoes
First Landing Drying Racks
First Africans Meeting Circle
Canons Deerskins
Blacksmith Oyster Shells

26. Professional Development
Opportunities on VSTE Island
Guest Speakers Second Life Skills
Kathy Schrock Getting Around
Matt Monjan Building
Virginia Trekkers Taking Photographs
John Hendron Sim Tours
VSTE Board Great Wall of China
Henny Zimer Dublin
Book Discussions Mexico
Understanding by Design Japan
Blood on the River: Australia
Jamestown 1607 Africa

27. VSTE in SL Resources
www.vstesl.wikispaces.com