EDUCAUSE | Virtual Worlds

B-Schools in Second Life: It’s more than just Fun and Games; It’s the Confluence of Playing, Learning, and Working

ckeller — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:15:30 -0500

"A few months back, at the beginning of the semester, National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) made an award to Babson College and the Sloan Consortium to develop a virtual (business) incubator in Second Life. Students in this class would engage in research and development that had the potential of making a significant difference in the field of entrepreneurship globally."

E07 Podcast: Teaching & Learning Experiences in a User-Created Virtual World

gbayne — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:37:25 -0500

This forty-three minute podcast, we feature a panel discussion from the EDUCAUSE 2007 Annual Conference. The panel, "Teaching & Learning Experiences in a User-Created Virtual World,"shares their experiences with teaching in Second Life. Using the interaction combinations integration model they developed as a framework, the panel describes the projects, outcomes, and gives some recommendations.

The panel includes:

David M. Antonacci, Director of Teaching & Learning Technologies, The University of Kansas Medical Center
Stephanie Gerald, Educational Technologist, The University of Kansas Medical Center
Randolph Hollingsworth, Assistant Provost for Integrated Academic Services, University of Kentucky
Edward Lamoureux, Associate Professor, Multimedia Program and Department of Communication, Bradley University
Nicholas S. Noakes, Director, Center for Enhanced Learning and Teaching, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
David Thomas, Lecturer, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Session convener: Mary Jane Clerkin, Coordinator of Online Faculty Support, Berkeley College

September/October 2008 EDUCAUSE Review Virtual Worlds Theme Issue Now Available

cluckett — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:37:49 -0500

The September/October 2008 EDUCAUSE Review is now available online, a "back-to-school" theme issue on virtual worlds with feature articles by Cynthia M. Calongne, Chris Collins, Chris Johnson, AJ Kelton, and Sarah Robbins-Bell plus an online "web bonus" featuring 12 case studies.

EDUCAUSE Review is also available via RSS feed. Click the orange RSS icon on the EDUCAUSE Review home page to access the XML required to subscribe.

EDUCAUSE Now - Show #7 - Virtual Worlds

gbayne — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:41:14 -0500

Welcome to our Virtual Worlds edition of EDUCAUSE Now! Join co-hosts Gerry Bayne and Colleen Luckett for a look at the intelligent use of Virtual Worlds. How can Second Life be best utilized in a curriculum? What virtual world is best for your institution? Take a listen and find out!

Each episode of EDUCAUSE Now features a variety of stories, interviews, and views that relate to IT in higher education. Let us know what you would like to hear at podcast@educause.edu.

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This episode of EDUCAUSE Now features:

ELI In Conversation: Second Life in Curriculum
(02:05–09:28)
At the ELI 2008 Annual Conference, a roundtable discussion on virtual world was recorded for podcast. This episode of EDUCAUSE Now features an excerpt of the longer conversation. The participants include:

Sarah Smith Robbins, PhD Candidate at Ball State University.
Teshia Roby, Assistant Professor of Educational Multimedia at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Chris Johnson, Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Arizona.

Commentary from EDUCAUSE President Diana Oblinger
(09:29–12:24)
Diana considers how virtual worlds fit into the larger picture of socio-technical systems.

Which Virtual World is Right for Your Institution?
(12:58–20:24)
Virtual worlds have great potential in education, but much needs to be learned about them. One of the biggest questions is whether the best venue is the public mixed-use virtual world, a private education-only space, or a hybrid. We spoke with Donald J. Welch, President and CEO, Merit Network, Inc., who presented the session, “Virtual Worlds: Which Type is Right for Your Institution,” at the 2008 EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional Conference.

Music for EDUCAUSE Now:

"Symmetry and the Pocket of Angels" by Josh Woodward
"Lazy Afternoon Sun" by Ekayani & the Healing Band
"F1-11" by Blues Garden

Arts Metaverse

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:51:26 -0500

The Arts Metaverse was developed by the University of British Columbia’s Arts Instructional Support and Information Technology unit. It is an immersive 3D VLE that provides an opportunity for scholars, teachers, students, and interested individuals to create and share a virtual space in collaboration.

ASTR202, Exploring Life in the Universe

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:37:14 -0500

The authors used Second Life to teach a course designed for non-science majors who need to fulfill their natural sciences university requirement. The students were required to do a creative project, Second Life was introduced as an innovative way for students to express their projects.

Drawing a Roadmap: Barriers and Challenges to Designing the Ideal Virtual World for Higher Education

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:41:40 -0500

When using a roadmap, one can take many different paths to reach a desired destination. Similarly, institutions can take many different turns along the road to implementing an ideal virtual world for higher education.

Educational Frontiers: Learning in a Virtual World

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:35:57 -0500

The use of virtual worlds expands on the campus-based and online classrooms, enhancing learning experiences. Classes in virtual worlds offer opportunities for visualization, simulation, enhanced social networks, and shared learning experiences.

EDUCAUSE Review Magazine, Volume 43, Number 5, September/October 2008

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:31:06 -0500

This is the entire issue of EDUCAUSE Review Magazine, Volume 43, Number 5, September/October 2008.

Galapagos Islands in Second Life

ckeller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:13:25 -0500

In an effort to honor of Charles Darwin’s legacy, the University of Cincinnati has planned a two-year celebration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. A re-creation of Darwin’s historic journey to the Galapagos Islands and see indigenous species in their natural habitats in Second Life is one of the many celebration projects.