Turn on Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome 10+

Turn on Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome 10+

Made a noticeable difference on my systems.

The Storytelling Potential of SL: Conne River Machinima Trailer

click for this Project's website

WB Yeats - An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

Canadian University Recognized for Excellence in Innovation

Memorial University (about as far away in Canada as you can get from where I am) was the recipient of the CNIE's award for Excellence in Innovation. More information on the award and the project are available in the Second Life blogs (do give this a read, please).

So, why do I bring this up regarding a university thousands of miles away from me? Is it because the award is Canadian? Is it because the institution is Canadian? Is it because it is about Second Life? Or maybe because it has to do with actual teaching and learning in a class? The answer is all of the above.  This is the first time I have seen all these come together.  I am hoping it is a trend.  Having been a proponent of using Virtual Worlds (VWs) in education I (and some of my colleagues) have, at times, had the feeling of being alone out in our vast Canadian wilderness.  Now, don't get me wrong. There are people of like mind around, but definitely in the minority - and the majority's "It's a game, right?" question always seems crop up at some point - which, I must say, really takes the air out the room for me. I end up giving a well-rehearsed and many times repeated answer about it being a space and not a game -> there is no game unless you make one in it -> it is what you make it -> tabula rasa with a lot of options - et al.

I am hoping that more of the educational projects out their in VWs start to get similar attention, recognition, and possibly even acknowledgement.  We here at Regina Public are using Teen Second Life successfully with middle years students. They are engaged.  They are easily kept on task. They even enjoy their homework! They are learning and some are even taking lead roles teaching other students! I'm not shopping for awards here..... I just know that if we are doing things like this, there must be other institutions and schools in Canada - others at least thinking of it or waiting to get a 'Go' to venture into the VW realm.

Awards and recipients like this make these discussions about VWs in education a little easier. Thank you Memorial University.

VWBPE 2009

An impressive conference.  If you weren't there you should have been! Lots for everyone to take in.  Many good presentations and many good people doing some very cool stuff with SL for education. This is just a short entry, I have a lengthier one at my Teachernet blog.

The venues were great spaces, the VWBPE volunteers ran things smoothly and the presenters were well prepared. It amazes me sometimes how much energy people put into this free conference. The sharing culture of SL educators is something to be proud of.

Anyways, check out my blog entry at the link above.  I'll be writing more here in detail later in the week about my VWBPE experience - I just have to organize my notes and digest them a little more....

Virtual Worlds - Best Practices in Education - March 27-29 '09

I have attended the 2007 and 2008 conferences. I highly recommend it for educators and post-secondary students - this will give you a good perspective on how things could look in the near future.  Anyone interested in using SL in education should make and take the time to attend at least some of the sessions at this conference.  It is completely free of charge and takes place entirely within SL - meaning that there are presenters and attendees from all over the planet.  Below is a snippet from their web site's frontpage :

The Virtual World Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) conference originated from the 2007 Second Life Best Practices in Education Conference. This grassroots, community-based conference attracts faculty, instructors, trainers, administrators, instructional designers, technical specialists, and members of organizations from around the world. Those who create teaching/learning environments, resources, tools, support services and professional development opportunities internal and external to virtual world environments participate. During the conference, participants have opportunities to ask: What is education?, What is teaching?, What is learning? and How can we provide virtual world educational environments in which today’s learners can become all they can be. 

The VWBPE Conference provides opportunities for virtual world communities to showcase projects, courses, events and research that lead to best practices in education. The end result of collaborating, sharing, and co-construction of knowledge during the conference is the creation of innovative and immersive environments in which virtual world residents can learn, work, and play. 

Program Chair: Zana Kohime 

To register please visit our Registration Site (http://vwbpe09.eventbrite.com/). Registration is free to all conference attendees. 

They have a wiki for the schedule of events at:  http://wiki.vwbpe.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

See you there!