1. Harnessing the Power of Your
“Second Life”
for Professional Development
Marie Booz
Coordinator, Instructional Technology
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
VSTE 2010 Conference
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 6000 K-12 Educators

9. Why Second Life?
Free Basic Account
Interoperable (PC, Mac, Linux)
ISTE is Here!
(International Society for Technology in Education)
Over 6000 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 6000 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

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

16. ISTE in Second Life
Volunteer Docents
Orientations for Newcomers
Networking Opportunties
Guest Speakers
Workshops
Social Events
SIGMS and SIGVE

17. Professional Development Opportunities
in Second Life for Educators
ISTE Island ~ Tuesday and Thursday Nights
ISTE Tours ~ Every Other Sunday
VSTE Island ~ Every Monday Night
Virtual Pioneers ~ Every Other Sunday Night
Metanomics ~ Every Wednesday Afternoon
Virtual Worlds Educational Roundtable ~ Every
Tuesday Afternoon

18. 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.

19. VSTE Island Facilities

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

21. 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

22. Introducing Virginia’s Natural Bridge
on VSTE Island
December 2010

23. 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
Chris O’Neal Great Wall of China
Henny Zimer Dublin
Book Discussions Mexico
Understanding by Design Teaching/Instructional
Blood on the River: Web 2.0 Tools
Jamestown 1607 iPhone/iPad Apps

24. VSTE in SL
Meeting every Monday night at 8PM EST (5PM SLT) ~
We have been meeting every week for over two years!
We have nearly 600 Second Life members
VSTE In Second Life Ning: http://vsteonline.ning.com/
group/secondlifevstemembers
Resources: www.vstesl.wikispaces.com
Meeting space available