How can virtual worlds like Second Life enhance the teaching and learning experiences for students? What are the implications for the arts and society?

Many universities and schools are incorporating Second Life into their study and curriculum. The Open University, Harvard, Texas State and Stanford have all implemented virtual campuses where classes are taught online and students can meet and interact. Around the globe, Second Life experiences are linking students and educators and promoting education in a scholarly atmosphere. Educationally, Second Life provides “rich sensory immersive experiences, authentic contexts and activities for experiential learning, simulation and role-play, modeling of complex scenarios, a platform for data visualization and opportunities for collaboration and co-creation that cannot be easily experienced using other platforms.” It uses building and scripting tools that are easy for anyone to learn. Second Life engages students in an interactive environment, to many’s dismay it is not a passive game playing technology. Some examples of areas that may find Second Life useful are design and digital art, business and computer programming and multimedia and virtual tourism. Incorporating Second Life into Education will artistically, continue to inspire digital creativity and societally, promote the technological learning experience.
sources: http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses
www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/11/14/second.life.divorce/index.html?iref=newssearch

I ended my Second Life adventure asleep in a Hammock in Kaeleer d'Alliez. A most calming atmosphere, The mesh curtain pavillion i rested in. I saw the stars twinkling, even shooting stars and comets. And heard the water rushing over at Harmony falls.

Late on this night I was hoping to encounter many people gathered at Benny's Campfire. I was dissapointed when I found no one else there, just me. I warmed myself on a log sitting beside the fire, listening to it's crackling, watched it's flickering flame. There was thickly wooded forest surrounding me. As I walked along I encountered a typical red checkered picnic blanket, a full spread of food and table settings, I left it. I furthered on listening to the bird's calling in the forest and I followed another sound of rushing water. Next I stumbled upon a waterfall, at which I skipped rocks.

While here in Arrakis, a misty island, I enjoyed a beautiful setting sun from the basket of a hot air balloon. But what was most remarkable was that a story was told. This was a tale of the trials of a love stricken pirate and his travels.

Amatsu Shima aka the Heavenly Island was one of my favorite places I visiting while adventuring through Second Life. Surrounded by rocky beaches it is a most peaceful environment with an Asian harmony amidst the air. Willows blowing in the breeze, I rode on one of the brown and white mustangs that was roaming through the field. Here I stumbled across a most helpful fellow while Brittany and I were struggling for over an hour to find each other, he explained to me teleporting and how to go about finding a friend. He recommended to me a few interesting places to visit in Second Life and invited us to attend a poetry reading. I wondered through palaces, theaters and small meditation pavilions, one of which had a zen garden and a trickling fountain. This snapshot is me feeding the swans at the pond.

I ventured deep below the sea in Rosewood Fusion Bay. I discovered a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels. I also found a most unusual mermaids harp with a large sea horse decoration and golden strings. Although I'd never played a harp before, I experimented. The reef was plentiful in fish species, in all colors and shapes and sizes! Its anemones, coral, seaweeds and creatures were so colorful. I was careful of jellyfish. I took my snapshot next to a magnificent pearl inside and enormous pink bellied clam. How often can you say you did that? Ha ha

Soon to be actually visiting Australia, I was excited to browse through Sydney in Second Life. I wondered through interesting open architecture. I took my snapshot inside the Sydney Opera House. Here I sat and enjoyed a concert.