SECONDLIFE Today’s agenda: I. Second Life…What Is It? A. An Introduction B. Definition of Terms III. Kansas’ Need IV. The Solution A.SL as a Solution to Teacher Retention a. Lets Take a Tour b. Events II. Second Life In Academia A. Why Academics Use Second Life B. Examples of Academic Use An Introduction A.What’s the Data With Kansas? a.What are the demographics? b.What are the statistics

SECONDLIFE Basic Definitions Second Life Second Life (SL) is a ‘virtual world’, accessible via the Internet, developed by Linden Lab. It launched on June 23, A free client program called the Second Life Viewer enables its ‘residents’ to interact with each other through ‘avatars’. Definition of Terms

SECONDLIFE Moving About Avatars Can Fly They can also create and trade virtual property and services with one another, or travel throughout the world, which residents refer to as the ‘grid’. Explore Meet others Socialize Argue Residents can also… My Avatar Is ‘Alter Self’ in cyberspace Designed upon first entry into SL Interacts with Other Avatars Participates in individual and group activities Watch Movies Present Teach Play Games And yes, Avatars can fly. Definition of Terms

SECONDLIFE Definition of Terms Ownership Cover Your Assets the digital images referred to as textures that decorate primitives, digitized audio clips, avatar shape and appearance, avatar skin textures, LSL scripts, information written on notecards, and so on. Each asset is referenced with a universally unique identifier or UUID. Every item in the SL universe is referred to as an asset. This includes the shapes of the 3D objects known as primitives,

SECONDLIFE Linden Scripting Language Adding Dimension Built into the software is a three dimensional modeling tool based around simple geometric shapes that allows a resident to build virtual objects. This can be used in combination with the Linden Scripting Language which can be used to add functionality to objects. An Introduction

SECONDLIFE The Second Life Terms of Service ensure that users retain copyright for any content they create, and the server and client provide simple digital rights management functions. The Software The Law Is Everywhere Adding Complexity More complex three dimensional Sculpted prims (colloquially known as sculpties), textures for clothing or other objects, and animations and gestures can be created using external software. An Introduction In the picture to the right, my avatar is looking at some of the dropdown functions of the SL program.

SECONDLIFE There are over one hundred regions used for educational purposes. Instructors and researchers in Second Life favor it because it is more personal than traditional distance learning. Second Life is used as a platform for education by many institutions, such as colleges, universities, libraries and government entities. Academia Why use Second Life? Second Life in Academia

SECONDLIFE New educational institutions have also emerged that operate exclusively within Second Life taking advantage of the platform to deliver a high quality service to a world wide audience at low cost. Harvard’s Berkman Center Ohio University At least 300 universities around the world teach courses or conduct research in SL. Examples of Academic Use Academia Who Uses It?

SECONDLIFE Info Islands uses library programming sponsored by the Illinois' Alliance Library System Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) currently offers a library within Second Life. A host of other government agencies, universities, and museums are on SL including: NASA, NOAA, NIH, JPL, NPR, and the National Physical Laboratory. In December 2008, the United States Air Force launched MyBase, a Second Life island overseen by the Air Education and Training Command. Examples of Academic Use Academia Who Uses It?

SECONDLIFE Kansas can be a balmy 60 degrees with clear skies, and 20 degrees and snowing… both at the same time, at two different ends of the state. In Kansas, you can walk into a restaurant, chatting with someone in shorts and a t-shirt. and come out an hour later needing a down jacket. Kansas’ Need What’s the Data With Kansas? Teacher Recruitment and Retention

SECONDLIFE Our schools have no less diversity. Some of our districts will have a population of 30-40, others, 50,000 students. Kansas Schools are on land that ranges in price from $20,000 for a square yard, to $20,000 for a square mile. And our students speak dozens of different languages, and come from all corners of the globe. Kansas’ Need What’s the Data With Kansas? Teacher Recruitment and Retention Is it any wonder Kansas has a Recruitment and Retention problem?

SECONDLIFE What’s the Data With Kansas? Teacher Recruitment and Retention One of the ways Kansas decided to address this issue is through the 3d environment. Rich White, with the help of SPDG funding, has created ‘Second Life Greenbush Island’. The Island itself has six main geographic areas: Conference Center, Visitor’s Pavilion, Auditorium, Vendor Pavilion, Headquarters and Offices. And there are three areas of focus: Content delivery,Collaboration, Academic Services

SECONDLIFE Lets Take a Tour The Main Entrance Also called the ‘Vendor Pavilion’ this area links to the other areas and provides an overview, with questions posed on the board to my avatar's left. To my avatar's right, you can see the Headquarters and Offices. They are used for Office hours for recruiters or teachers.

SECONDLIFE The Auditorium The auditorium is typically used as a Lecture hall. Presenters can stream audio and video, with live feeds, guests, and questions from the audience. Lets Take a Tour

SECONDLIFE The Conference Center The Conference Center is typically used for small group discussions. It offers many of the same features as the Auditorium, but with smaller groups. Lets Take a Tour

SECONDLIFE The Visitor’s Pavilion The Visitor’s Pavilion is typically used when Educators want to get together and discuss different topics. Lets Take a Tour

SECONDLIFE Events The Job Fair The Island also has events. Our main, yearly event is the Kansas Job fair. Schools from across Kansas entertain potential applicants from all corners of the world. Events

SECONDLIFE Events The Job Fair As teachers enter the island, they sign in to the guestbook, make comments, or proceed. The pre-registration allows for a level of security. We can lock down the island. “You’re off the island!” Essentially, Registration allows restriction. Events

SECONDLIFE Big Brother? THE Data Potentially one of the best aspects of the island is the collection of data. Ever hosted a conference, only to find that the best data can be found in the conversations? Here, the data can be reviewed and your conversations analyzed. Events

SECONDLIFE Greenbush Island has been around about 2.5 yrs. Two Recruitment fairs have taken place It is simply another component to our recruitment 60 clients in Greenbush Island at last count The Island provides a level of communication and ‘intimacy’ not available through the telephone. Conclusions Overview Conclusions