OSU Versus Northwestern Game Footage 45-10 Win

November 3 Week's Blog

Learning more about Second Life in these ways this past week:

SL Class: Attended an NCI Basic Textures Class. When you create a prim, it’s plywood by default. In most cases when building in SL, you want to attach a texture to your build. The inventory comes with many textures to choose from depending on what you are building. For example, if you are building a sidewalk, you might apply the stone texture; a house, brick texture. Also discussed were the file types for uploading to textures. I created my OCC sign in PowerPoint and saved it as a PNG file. Then File, Upload, and paid 10 Lindens. Then I can attach the file to any texture created like a billboard. For my classes, I don’t see my students using textures. However, understanding how to upload a texture such as a photo or PowerPoint presentation is important.

SL Class: Attended a GQ Class, Your Profile. This class addressed the various tabs of the profile page and how you learn about others from their profiles. When you meet a new Avatar, point to their AV and right click to open the pie menu and then choose Profile. One important tab is the My Notes tab. This tab is only seen by the creator, and it’s helpful to use when you meet people. For example, I will write “was in my cont. ed. class” or “met at CIT in Salt Lake.” Otherwise, it may be difficult to remember the avatars because avatar names are very unusual. I actually compare this to a Facebook Profile or any social networking tool. One can share as much or as little as one wants to. I can usually tell about people by the Groups they are members of. For example, if they are an academic, they most likely will be in groups such as EdTech Community, College Professors, Distance Educators, and the list goes on and on.

SL Class. Attended Learn How to Set Up a Blog from Inworld and Post Landmarks. This was a very interesting class. We attached a HUD to ourselves that created a blog within SL. Then within SL we can post text, landmarks, and images to our blog. The images are only SL images. My blog address is http://bletaverse.com/Susie Felisimo. I’m not sure how I’ll use it at this point since I have one blog already.

SL Class.Attended Dealing with Griefers. Griefers are people who are rude, annoying and interrupt the activities on a sim. They enjoy being obstructive. A griefer may be an avatar in all shapes and forms, an object such as a cage or orbit, and particles. The key is to stay Calm and to Sit Down when a griefer is around. When one is sitting the griefer cannot affect you. Also, one must file an abuse report. This class addressed the various ways to report abuse and other tips on dealing with griefers.

SL Presentation. Attended a presentation at the ISTE Island titled Beyond Exercise Books: Powerful Learning Looks Different. The speaker was Dean Groom, Sidney Australia, Head Teaching and Learning Designer, and he used a PowerPoint presentation. He compared the old tools to the new tools and how technology changes learning. However, with the technology there are too many answers on our desktops, and this is a problem for students. We need to be selective with the tools and teach students how and went to put information into context. Heard the term “data smog” or “information overload?” He also talked about how the classroom has changed to a blended collaborative environment. This is what he is talking about. It’s all about the learning! There were approximately 60 attending the presentation. About 20 minutes into the presentation, there was a lot of noise. I understand another class was close by. Just one of the obstacles in participating in an SL presentation.

Meeting. Met face-to-face with Biker on our Findlay Campus. He uses SL in a couple of his classes, and we talked about SL and his assignments. He, too, uses the SL environment as a learning tool for his students to complete assignments and work together. He shared two great assignments with me. Kudos to Biker for forging ahead in SL.

Chatted with GentlemenKey who I met in my Profile class. We had a lengthy conversation about using SL in our classes. He teaches a lot of workplace skills classes to adults.

Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest (Research). As I peruse these digests, I normally take away something valuable whether it’s a contact, website, slrl, or just ideas.

One advantage of attending classes in SL are the great handouts the presenters share with us. They normally provide course handouts in an orb, and we right-click, touch, or buy (for free), and then receive the handouts in our inventory. Plus, if text chat is used, we can save the chat for review.

Off to see the Bucks beat the Wildcats!

Go Bucks!

Next week I'll have some footage of the OSU/Northwestern game.

October 27 Week's Blog

This week I was busy in SL after returning from the League’s CIT conference. Here were my activities:

• Reviewed and keyed notes from the CIT Conference. While reviewing notes, I visited slurls in SL and websites that I listed in my notes.
  
• Viewed the webinar “Increase DL Retention in SL” provided by Campus Technology. The presenter from Huntington Jr. College in W VA presented on why they are turning to SL. They have 900 students, and they were looking for new ways to grow their programs without adding brick and mortar. She indicated that research shows that a social presence may lead to retention as based on Tinto’s research. Socially active and engaged students will be retained. She indicated using SL takes the “distance” out of distance education. Not sure that’s good or not!
  
• Visited the Abyss Museum of Ocean Science. This is a great build for anyone teaching science or biology as it provides an experience that students could not have in RL.
  
• Viewed Torley Linden’s videos on taking and saving snapshots. Although I know how to do this, I needed to review the shortcut keys for me to position my avatar for photos. I learned about the “freeze” feature too—just right click any attachment on your avatar. This is helpful since avatars are “fidgeting.” Snapshots are a great tool to have students use to verify they have been to various islands in SL.
  
• Observed Brian Mnemonic’s African American Literature class (University of Central Missouri) at the Virtual Harlem location. Brian instructed the continuing ed. class I took in August, and he offered that we could observe his classes at any time. He uses voice chat, and the students mostly use text chat. Brian stated that voice chat is ok, but it appears students prefer text chat. He does require voice chat when speaking with a student about a project or paper. I observed most students participating, and Brian provides a lot of positive feedback.
  
• Attended Selma Park’s Open House. This build is located on the University of Central Missouri’s island. I toured the island, drank lemonade, and listened to a piano recital. The library is very invested in SL at UCM. The librarian talked about grant opportunities, and I think this is something we could offer at Owens with the Perkins Grants that are usually available in late spring. Their grants include a parcel with 500 prims, and a LindeX allowance. I’m going to see if I can receive a copy of their grant application.
  
• Attended in-world the Educause panel session, Teaching and Learning: Assessing the Student Experience in Second Life.” This session was live in Orlando at the conference and streamed in Second Life. There were about 60 avatars attending. Voice chat was used, and there were some challenges with this because besides the panel members we heard a video, but we weren’t suppose to hear the video. Then we were instructed to turn “media” sound down, and that corrected the situation. Sometimes though there were echoes and the panel members voices would break up. I used text chat to verify what I missed. One panel member asked “why assess one tool any differently than another.” Good point. It’s not the tool we assess but the learning.
  
• Participated in an Introduction Building and Scripting class in Second Life conducted by Tech Virtual Org. I’ve attended some in the past, but a class like this is a good review, and this one was a little different. The instructor was promoting www.thetecvirtual.org, which is a virtual museum in SL. They have competition for the best interactive exhibits, and they provide space for building and scripting. The instructor said we could now call ourselves “software developers” (LOL).
• Reviewed research on Second Life surveys that have been completed by different organizations.
  
• Created a short survey to send to all Owens faculty (full-time and adjuncts) about their knowledge and use of Second Life. Hope to deploy the survey within the next two weeks. OLN is planning to deploy a Second Life survey to Ohio's universities and colleges in December or January.
  
• Continued to read daily the Educator's Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest (Research). As I peruse these digests, I normally take away something valuable whether it's a contact, webstie, or slrl, or just ideas.

I think I’ll call it a week!

October 13 & 20 Blog

Many of my activities during the week of October 13 didn’t involve SL:

• Attended the AQIP Systems Portfolio training in Columbus, OH, as I am one of the editors of our Systems Portfolio. Steve Spangehl from HLC conducted the training.
• Submitted a proposal titled “A Second Life Primer” for the University System of Ohio Learning, Libraries + Technology Conference (formerly ODCE) held at Easton for March 1-3.
• Attended the Central Ohio Chapter ASTD one-day Conference and Expo (Explore Learning and Performance) at COSI in Columbus thanks to Dave Hylsop giving me his registration. ASTD’s Public Policy Council conducted a study and published the results in Bridging the Skills Gap, and the keynote discussed this topic. I also learned about a book Crucial Confrontations. The afternoon keynote is the author (Kurt Southam, Ph.D.) of the book, and it was a very interesting and interactive presentation.
• Attended the ACBSP Great Lakes Council conference on Thursday evening and Friday in Findlay, OH. Kudos to Barb and those involved in the planning. The sessions I attended were excellent.

Then I left for the League’s CIT Conference on the 18^th and returned on the 22^nd in Salt Lake City. For fun and educational value, I did tour Temple Square. See the video below attached to this blog. I attended all the forum sessions on Second Life along with many Web 2.0 sessions—both forum and hands-on. I learned the following about SL:

• In many instances I know what the presenters discussed and even more. While attending these forum sessions, I realized that most attendees need a very basic introduction to SL. I’m glad the PowerPoint I’ve been creating is called “A Second Life Primer,”—primer meaning “basic.” Many are curious as to “where did it come from,” how do you get there,” what’s the cost,” etc., etc.
• Some colleges’ islands are not as developed as our Island while others are extensively developed. Many indicated they would like to be invited to our "open house" so I hope it is opened to outsiders.
• It seems that faculty are still struggling with how best to use this environment as an educational delivery method. Some faculty use SL in their courses during class and never have the students enter SL. Instead, they conduct a tour on the screen for the students to see during class. This is a safe and easy way to “get your feet wet” in SL. Then there are those that hold their distance classes in SL.
• Using Web 2.0 tools is huge among the colleges.
• Good news! Next year CIT is in Detroit City—home of Motown on October 11-13.

When I returned home, I did attend one role playing session in SL conducted by Insight Virtual College. I FINALLY GET IT! What role playing is for? I don’t see any value in classes unless you are teaching diversity, creative thinking, etc.--now I do realize these are important skills. There are sims in SL where you take on “in character” and play off of others characters. So if you want to take part in the Civil War, you could locate a sim that provides this build and participate as a soldier. There is also a lot of role playing with vampires. Perhaps a historical sim would be a valuable role play opportunity, but I don’t see any value in SOBIS.

Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest (Research). As I peruse these digests, I normally take away something valuable whether it’s a contact, website, slrl, or just ideas.

Next week I’ll work on making sense of my research. Until then . . Happy Halloween!

October 6 Week's Blog

This week I completed the following activities:

• SL Class: All about the LindeX @ Insight Virtual College: this class addressed the LindeX, which is Second Life’s market currency. We learned how to earn money and differentiate among the trading levels. I don’t believe I would trade LindeX, but I can see how a finance or economics class could learn a great deal from the LindeX. It’s the best exchange rate in currency.
  
• SL Class: Interactive Role Play: I realized that I already attended this particular class, but this time there was a “griefer.” I’ve only encountered one other griefer who visited one of my other classes, but he didn’t stay long. The griefer in the role play class was booted out by the owner of the island as he was very annoying and used abusive language. Needless to say class was detained. Then when I realized I attended this session previously I teleported home.
  
• SL Class: SL Education Roundtable discussions: I am a member of this group which meets every Tuesday at Montclair State University to talk about a variety of subjects. We site around a “round table.” Some weeks we may have a guest speaker and/or focus on one topic and other weeks we may just talk about what members feel like chatting about. I learned about a tool called “Meeting transcript maker,” which records a session in SL. I also learned about Cool Viewer by Boy Lane, a site meant to publish patches and pre-compiled versions of the Second Life viewer for Linux.
  
• Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest (Research). As I peruse these digests, I normally take away something valuable whether it’s a contact, website, slrl, or just ideas.
  
• Attended OBTA and enjoyed a session on Web 2.0 tools. Since working on my sabbatical, I have learned a lot about Web 2.0 tools. However, this session provided additional websites to visit. One especially interesting website is Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies.
• Unfortunately at OBTA, I did not find anyone interested in collaborating with me in SL. Most said they are so busy they don't have the time to learn SL. They have a point. Without this sabatical I would not have had the time to devote to this tool.
  

During my sabbatical I’m learning about other web tools. For example, I downloaded and played with jingproject which allows one to capture photos or videos to share online up to 5 minutes in length. It was developed by TechSmith, who developed Camtasia Studio. Then the presenters at the Web 2.0 session at OBTA included Jing in their presentation.

I’m learning more than just Second Life as a result of my research. For example, I learned a new term “heutagogy.” A heutagogical approach recognizes the need to be flexible in the learning where the teacher provides resources but the learner designs the curriculum, not just the learning process, by negotiating the learning. Thus learners might read around critical issues or questions and determine what is of interest and relevance to them, and then negotiate further reading and assessment tasks. With respect to the latter, assessment becomes more of a learning experience rather than a means to measure attainment.

I connected with someone who developed a simulator of business skills for training. As yet, I have not seen a demo, but I have been invited to do so. Therefore, I will follow up on this invitation.

This week I plan to work on reviewing my collected resources and prepare for the League’s CIT conference. Plus, I have ACBSP 's Region 4 conference this week too. What! Another busy and fun-filled professional week!

September 29 Week's Blog

SL Activities included the following:

• Given a tour by the dean of IVC (Insight Virtual College). IVC provides classrooms and conducts classes for SL residents. I really enjoyed the personal tour. I learned about IVC at the SL Convention. BTW, the dean is an instructional designer at an Ohio 4-yr. University. She is a professional colleague. One location at IVC helps residents practice flying. All the classrooms have unique features—one is under water and called the Sea Floor Classroom. The tour lasted about 1 ½ hrs. I joined their group so I can receive updates on classes, etc.
• Visited ISTE Island. ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education, and they offer RL memberships. I joined their group so I can receive updates on classes, etc. There were some members and a docent at the Island to explain what goes on. I toured the Island, and they have a lot to offer. ISTE is for educators, and often meet at the ISTE island to discuss teaching and learning. For fun, a couple of us took a Magic Carpet ride over the ISTE Island.
  
• Continued to read daily the Educator’s Digest (SLED) and Slrl Digest (Research). As I peruse these digests, I normally take away something valuable whether it’s a contact, website, slrl, or just ideas. Consequently, this is a time-consuming task.
  
• Started researching more about companies in SL.
  
• Updated my PBwiki.
  
• Continued collecting websites in Delicious. It’s amazing—with Web 2.0 sites are “social” and require one to be a member with username, password, etc. It's all about sharing! Then there is the entire process (with as little information as you wish) of creating a profile, etc. I’m a member of LinkIn.org along with Rezed.org, and many of the other sites are similar—like Facebook. Sometimes it's like "Oh no! Not another profile! Not another login to remember!"
  

This upcoming week is a busy one since I have OBTA Thursdsay and Friday so I won't have the entire week for SL. I'm hoping to connect with some fellow OBTA members who may be interested in collaborating in SL for spring semester.