Second Life (SL) Continues

This past week I sorted through my notes from the SL convention. Trying to organize so they will be useful later.

• In Second Life, I visited the Manpower Island and talked with a staff member and a coordinator. At this time, they don't have any opportunities for administrative assistants, but they believe this will change. They have a nice orientation overview--easy to read and navigate but little hands-on. I believe it would be effective for students to review. Plus, they have laptops with stools, and the avatar sits on a stool and learns about topics such as Positions in SL, Interviewing in SL, and I think this would be valuable for students to review in the OAD260 class.

• I teleported to Microsoft's Island, but it's not always available to outsiders. What I do like is the workshop/training sessions the Microsoft Users Group conducts in SL. For example, this past week it was on MailMerge in Word. Again, a good training session for students in OAD260.
  

• I teleported to Mill Pond and talked with a colleague from another two-year Ohio school. We've been friends for awhile. He plans to use SL for his economics class, but the only problem is his college doesn't have an island. SL is a great tool for economics with the LindeX and trading.

• I attended a Basic Scripting workshop this week at the Human Resource Island. While I am not a programmer, at least I understand some of what has to happen to make SL work.

• I met with Ruth, and she provided an overview of our College's Island and its future as far as she knows. The College is planning an SL Island Open House sometime in November, and she asked if I would participate. Of course, I will. I'm working on some content for orientation. This upcoming week I'll work on "taking a snapshot." I'll create a notecard and put it in her inventory. Will contribute another topic, but I'm not sure what topic yet.
  

• Flying. I perfected this skill this past week.
  

• I also contacted our Public Relations Dept. to acquire the fall advertisements. We thought these videos would be great to include in our Island. These ads will be updated this month, and then we'll use the udpated ones. In the meantime, Ruth can work with what she receives to see how they can best be incorporated on our Island.

• Finally, I started a PowerPoint presentation. I think I'll call it "A Second Life Primer." When I tell people I'm working in Second Life, they all ask the same questions? What is it? How long has it been around? Who owns it? So I'm including this information in my PPT.

As time progresses, I see more application in OAD260, Administrative Office Management, and OAD270, Presentation Management. Not so sure about internship opportunities especially since "internship" usually designates "no pay," and our students are paid in their cooperative experience course. I've contacted one individual who, I understand, has a successful internship program in SL. I haven't heard back from her yet.

Looking forward to the upcoming League's CIT conference as there are quite a few SL presentations. Also, I hope to connect with someone at OBTA who might want to collaborate in SL.

Another week forges ahead!