Second Life education

This is me at Imperial Medical College, London. Its a medical college where you can take virtual classes and do a lot of different virtual procedures. They had hospital rooms where you could interact with sick patients or even participate in a shift with other nurses. The avatar next to me is actually from the "Sparks" group of our class. Out of all the places to go we accidentally bumped into each other here. She recognized me because of my avatar name which is bagoftricksCS. She was walking by and noticed the name. I thought it was neat because this was an accidental meeting and of all the places to be what are the chances of running into someone from your own class. This was taken before I visited free island and got my new clothes and hair!

This is paradise

This is me above a part of the Bahama's. I came here to check it out because Claudia, the avatar I met in China, told me it was a really cool place. She has it set as her home. There is so much to do here. They have outdoor tiki bars, beach blankets and lounge chairs to sunbath on, boats, dance clubs and all types of water slides. I can see why it was her home. This was a really neat place to explore. Supposedly there is also a nude beach somewhere on this island. I haven't found it yet!

Great Wall

This is me flying above the Great Wall of China and the other is me at a statue by the Great Wall. I met another avatar named Claudia (female in the picture)here. We had chatted for 20 minutes talking about how neat this was and if the real one actually looks like this. It had to take a lot of imagination to recreate this great wonder of the world. I came here because I know I will most likely never get to see the real one.

"Back Tracking"

This is a shot from the Monastery Balcony on Renaissance Island. On this Island there was a lot to see. They had a Monastery, blacksmith, horse stables and even a jousting field. You could sign up to a group and join jousting tournaments if you wanted. I thought it was interesting that some one would create a place like this, but then again we do have Renaissance Fairs in the real world so why not in Second Life.

Vodka anyone?

This is Red Square, Russia. I thought it was really neat to see this country. We have never really had a great relationship (US and Russia). It was cool to see how they are really just like us. As I walked around Red Square I could see Russia words or actually hear the avatars speaking in their language. It left me wondering if they were really on line from Russia or just a group of Russian speaking friends from another country like the US or England.

Scuba Dive

If you want to learn how to Scuba Dive theirs a place for that also. The only thing I go to do here is look around because this place cost money. But it looks like it would be a really fun adenture. I mean how cool could it be to be able to go scuba diving and not have to leave your house. Along with this place I check out their is also beaches that you can go and collect shells. Plus see the crabs and birds walk around you. In this photo I'm in front of the Scuba place. by Jen Hight

Disney World

The last place I went to was Disney World. This my favorite place to go. I remeber going here when I was kid. In Disney world if you have the money you can buy the costumes or even try them on if you want. While walking around inside the vendors give you free things like mickey ears and balloon. Which that I thought was odd because I don't remember in real life anything being free there. Also you get to try a pull the sword out of the stone if you want to. Thats in one of my photos. You can ride the rides in there. I rode the merry go around, drove the cars and even got to ride Dumbo. This place was so awesome I didn't want to stop being their. And of course like in real life some of the rides were broken down. In my photos here there one with the mickey mouse head in the grass and then also there me on the rides. by Jen Hight

Charlton Isle Cancer Memorial

Going to the cancer Memorial is one of my favorite places to go on Second Life. This was really cool place to go. If you have just lost someone or you have cancer right now this is the place to go. It's very relaxing with the water falls and they water foutains there. You can go around and enjoy the nature and be peaceful. They have encouraging words on the ground like happniess and love. Also you can add people to the memorials. How ever came up with this was very thoughtful. This could help you come with peace when losing someone. On these photos one on the bottom I am in front of a waterfall and the other one on top I'm on the side of a foutain. by Jen Hight

The Immerseve Aquarium

The Aquarium I explore because I knew as a kid I love to go there in real life. So see what it was like in Second life was reall neat. It was different because you could look at the fish through the glass but also you can walk into it. The fish would swim around you. I found that so awesome. My four year old son love watching it and he loves fish and sharks so it was cool for him also. In the picture the fish and sharks are swim around me. by Jen Hight

In Health Info Island

Another place that I vist was in the Island of Health Info. This place was called Consumer Health Library. This place had all kinds of book thats you can read on health. If you had a question can ask it and also they little places where you can sit to read. This would be a great place if your in the medical career and had question you wanted answer. Or even if you had a question about some kind health issues. Also on this island their was clinics that you could to. In this picture is of me standing next to a sign.

Space Planet

While I was walking around the Second Life I was exploring all different kinds of things and places. One thing that I was able to explore was a Space Park that was really neat. The planets you were walk all around. Also there was nice music playing so it was very relaxing. In this picture I'm standing near different planets and rocks. I really like this are. by Jen Hight

Virtual Ability Inc.

Here I am at Virtual Ability, Inc. in Second Life. After reading an article on how Second Life has helped people with disabilities become successful at starting businesses in Second Life I thought that I would search for more information on this wonderful technology. While searching I came across Virtual Ability, Inc. whose primary purpose is to help those with handicaps become acclimated with Second Life and help0them to achieve a variety of things.

Virtual Ability, Inc. does an individual assessment on each client to help determine their skills and what equipment is required to be successful using Second Life. They also provide them with training, orientation and ongoing support.

One element of Virtual Ability Inc. that I found to be especially helpful is their ongoing support community. Each client receives access to this community where they will find information, encouragement, training, companionship, referrals to other online resources and groups, ways to contribute back to the community, and ways to have fun and having fun is one of their key elements. They assist clients who may not be able to physically walk and give them the ability to hang glide or jump on a virtual trampoline. The hold dances and other social events. Here everyone is the same and no one is left out or unable to do something because of their disability.

~Angela

Health Info Island

While searching around Second Life I came across Health Info Island which is like a virtual Web MD. On Health Info Island One can find a health and medical library, professional support services, meeting places for classes and support groups as well as a tranquil setting with gardens and mountains for relaxation.

As I walked around the island i came across the Path of Support with is a path that one can walk around and find information about health care support groups that are offered in Second Life. I also came across Health Exhibit Hall which is an exhibit of health information from different organizations.

parts of the island are designated for special topics such a women's health and throughout the island one will find green flashing questions marks. If one clicks on one of these question marks they are able to ask a questions to the health professional that is online at that time. (Of course one needs to be cautious when doing this since they are not able to see the person or their credentials).

All over the island I found places to sit and relax and enjoy the peaceful setting. One thing that I found interesting as well is that all the whole island was handicapped accessible. This was the first place that I see that was this way.

~Angela

No Party?????

Since I have never been to Mardi Gras (and do not see myself visiting anytime soon) I thought I would, well my avatar would take a quick trip to Bourbon Street in New Orleans to check out the party.

Well here is a picture of me looking down at the group sad in front of the Bourbon Street sign because when I got there there was no one there and nothing going on. I figured that everyone would be partying all day everyday - boy was I wrong.

I did take a stroll around the French Quarter and looked at some of the beautiful architecture, but i was quite bummed that there was not a party going on. I really wanted that 3 foot margarita! Oh well. guess I will stop back on Fat Tuesday!

~Angela

Bag of Tricks in Second Life.

Bag of Tricks met in Second Life To discuss the following questions and our overall thoughts.

How was the virtual society different than our real world society?

In Second life you can experience many different things which may not be possible in the real life. You have the opportunity to fly like a super hero. This obviously is not possible in the real world. Also you can sell yourself off as a slave or purchase one of your own. This, again for obvious reasons, would not go over well at all in the real world. There are some positive outlooks as well. We discussed how you can change your appearance and be who ever you want. Also you have the opportunity to socialize with people from all over the world. We noticed how you can do a lot of real world activities in Second Life. For instance meet with a group to socialize, work on school assignments or even hang out and play games.

How was your group meeting in world different, better or worse than the meeting in Blackboard Vista's chat groups that your instructors set up for this course?

We had mixed feelings on this subject. Some of us thought it was a neat idea because you could see ever one or virtual group member instead of just looking at a chat board with words scrolling down. We did think it was creative that we could meet together at pretty much any location we desired. How ever some of felt it was more difficult for several reasons. These reasons being: 1. Some of us had problems with the soft wear running too slow 2. Hard to concentrate if other non-group members were about. You could hear or see the conversations they were having. 3. Even though we had a set location to meet we still had a bit of trouble trying to locate each other, especially with many other avatars running around.


How can virtual worlds like Second Life enhance the teaching and learning experiences for students? What are the implications for the arts and society?

We agreed there are a lot of learning and teaching opportunities in Second Life. We noticed many Colleges and Universities have their own sites in Second Life. They provide lecture halls and class rooms both indoor and outdoor. They all seemed to be set up for both formal and informal settings. It can accommodate a large group of students at one time.

We thought some art implications would be allowing others to view works of art by a large population It gives you the opportunity to be creative and build architecture, landscapes, clothing alter appearances.

We thought social implications would be the ability to connect with a large amount of people from different social , religious and ethnic backgrounds. In a way you can sight see those places you know you cannot afford to see in the real life. Most people were very open to conversation so its a great way to meet new people from all over the world.

Garden for the Missing

During my time searching around in Second Life I came across Garden for the Missing. Garden for the Missing is a place where they post information about missing persons for all to see. In the garden one can find missing person information, missing person facts, pictures and stories of missing persons. Currently they have listed over 200 posters of missing people.

When visiting you can click on the poster to learn more information. There is also a place to download all of the information on the people pictured and it will sort it alphabetically by state.

One can also donate to the garden or leave a message of inspiration and hope for those who may have a missing loved one or who may be visiting the garden.

~Angela

WE ARE...PENN STATE!

So, a number of people I work with are all either Penn State Alum or Penn State fans. They really bleed the blue and white. This past weekend, many of them went to State College to visit Penn State and see the Annual Penn State Arts Fest. Well I had never visited Penn State before and since I could not physically go to Penn State this weekend because of work, I decided to checkout their online virtual campus in Second Life. This is a picture of me standing at the front entrance of the campus. It was a lot like most college campuses in the summer - pretty bare - but I gor a chance to walk around and check things out.

While there was not a lot goign on wduring my visit, Penn State uses this space to bring their students, staff and faculty from all of their campuses together to meet, talk, share ideas and connect in one place. They have even hosted events for Penn Staters such as a tail gate party and open houses.

~Angela