2007+Learnscope-Second+Life

Using the Second Life Virtual World in teaching and learning
The project will evaluate the effectiveness of Virtual Worlds, in our case Second Life as a teaching and learning tool. Developed by San Francisco based Linden Lab, Second Life is 3D online social networking environment where users inhabit a virtual world of their own making represented to others through a virtual persona or avatar. Users are able to create, communicate, exchange and transact commercially with other residents in a highly immersive and engaging environment.

While the educational potential of 3D virtual worlds is still in its formative stages we hope to further the understanding by engaging a group of learners and teachers from the Sydney Institute Design Centre Enmore to build an online educational environment. Students at the Design Centre Enmore study a range of topics including graphic design, interior design, interior decoration, 3D animation and digital effects using advanced 3D modelling software such as Maya. We will contract onto the project Second Life building expertise to train team members on creating Second Life environments. By drawing on the students existing skills in 3D and cgi we hope to broaden their skills and experience by creating an interactive online 3D environment.

The project will also partner with disability teachers from OTEN with an interest in exploring AUSLAN in virtual worlds, librarians from across Sydney Institute and a range of individuals interested in exploring online Multi-User Virtual Environments in education.

**The Team**
//**Facilitator**// – Paula Williams (eLearning Development Officer, OTEN) //**Mentors**// – Staff from the Learning and Innovation Unit //**Students and teachers from the Sydney Institute Design Centre Enmore**// - Martin Brown (Manager 3D Animation, Design Centre Enmore) - Eric Whitmarsh Knight (Teacher, 3D Animation, Design Centre Enmore) - Diana Matesic Digital Media Coordinator - Kumar Pereira Head teacher Graphic Design - Beatriz Aroche, Simon Gray, Tessa Bachmayer, Paula Webb //**BAIT Curriculum Centre**// - Nicola Pegum - Tracey Sernack-Chee Quee, Treasurer and Membership Chair, Sydney ACM Siggraph Professional Chapter //**Second Life experts**// - Jo Kay, aka jokay Wollongong in SL (Resource Development Officer, TLRU, Illawarra Institute) - Sean Fitzgerald, aka Sean McDunnough in SL (independent researcher, consultant, trainer and presenter)
 * //Manager//** – Wendy Zammit (Communications Teacher, Ultimo)
 * //OTEN Disabilities teachers//**
 * //Sydney Institute librarians New Technologies Group//**

Links
NSW LearnScope Project Blog

Resources
Jo Kay and Sean Sean Fitzgerald have created a wikispace with great resources and the uses of Second Life in teaching and learning.