Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Many groups offer classes in how to use SL.
Some of these are free, while others will charge
you a nominal fee. To find classes happening
on any given day, do a search of “Events” and
choose the category “Education.” It is useful to
sit in on a few classes even if you already know
the information or don't really want to know it,
because it allows you to see some of the ways
that people are using SL for education. In other
words, participate but also observe the teaching
and learning that is going on, and think about how
you might do it differently.
If you need to find a tool or product such as a
viewer for your classroom, a notecard reader, a
translation device, or almost anything else, you
can probably find it at https://www.xstreetsl.com/,
a website that lets you shop on the web and deliver
the items to your avatar in the world. Search for
“education” or look in “Audio and Video” or
Gadgets categories.
Many educational technology groups have
help for newcomers to Second Life. One of our
favorites is Jokaydia's Newbie Garden (http://
slurl.com/secondlife/jokaydia/153/161/22). Here
Jokay Wollongong has gathered resources and
help for new users.
The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives helps
teach SL users how to build using “prims,” or
primitive objects, at http://slurl.com/secondlife/
Natoma/208/165/28. The building also provides
an excellent example of how to use SL's visually-
rich environment to teach hands-on skills.
LSL, the scripting language used in SL, is
well-explained in an introductory video available
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCwFeV_
Z88U. A great reference source on LSL syntax,
including links to sample scripts, can be found
at http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/LSL_Portal.
A useful book on SL scripting has been written
by Jeff Heaton; see http://www.heatonresearch.
com/book/scripting-second-life.html. In-world
examples are available here: http://slurl.com/sec-
ondlife/Encogia/201/201/26. You can find more
information about the Opinionator here: http://
slurl.com/secondlife/Tupi/147/149/303.
Some ideas for using SL with teens have been
collected by Kathy Schrock. They are available
at http://nausetschools.org/lighthouselearn-
ing/2007/08/teen-grid-ideas-for-content-areas.
html. Another list by Gxeremio can be found
here: http://globalvirtual.blogspot.com/2007/06/
followup-from-presentation.html.
To find a specific location in SL such as an
island mentioned in this chapter, use the Search
function under “Places.” If you cannot locate a
place immediately, try using fewer words in the
search, or a shortened form of the name. Alterna-
tively, you can visit http://craigcunningham.com/
sl-affordances.htm for a list of SLURLs (links to
specific locations in SL) relevant to this chapter.
Also on that page, you can contact us with ques-
tions or suggestions.
ACkNOWLeDgmeNT
The authors would like to thank the following
people who made comments and suggestions on
earlier drafts of this paper: Briana Allen, Cynthia
Calogne, Ef Deal, Desdemona Enfield, Barbara
Galik, Penny Lundquist, and Miriam Sweeney.
ReFeReNCeS
Ashburn, E. A. (2006). Attributes of Meaningful
Learning Using Technology (MLT). In Ashburn,
E. A., & Floden, R. E. (Eds.), Meaningful Learn-
ing Using Technology: What Educators Need to
Know and Do (pp. 8-25). New York: Teachers
College Press.
Barab, S., Thomas, M., Dodge, T., Carteaux, R.,
& Tazun, H. (2005). Making Learning Fun: Quest
Atlantis, A Game Without Guns. Educational
Technology Research and Development , 53 (1),
86-107. doi:10.1007/BF02504859
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