What do you know about Second Life? A friend of mine had me sign up earlier this year, but it’s only really been this semester of school when I’ve really been interested in it.
Second Life is very hard to explain. Wikipedia describes it as “an internet-based virtual world….[where people] interact with each other through motional avatars.” It is really hard to explain and understand. You can’t say it’s a game, though it is for entertainment purposes, right? And you can’t say it’s a program, because it’s so much more.
Think of it this way (if that wikipedia definition didn’t cut it for ya): Second Life is a virtual world that is an extensive and ever growing community that’s got quite the international community now. You as a Resident are represented with an avatar, which is a person you can alter the appearance of. You can chat with other Residents through IM or local chat, or even use a microphone with Voice Chat.
But I didn’t want to use Second Life as another stupid chatroom. I’d heard about business opportunities (people actually make money in this world, believe it or not) and I’ve heard that you can take actual classes with a real teacher and everything.
Before I got into all that, I decided to do a little traveling. I went everywhere from the ancient Roman Coliseum...
to Stonehenge...
to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre...
There are even worlds based on Harry Potter and Tolkien’s books.
On to the education aspect. Real universities have Second Life campuses as well, and they teach classes there too. I’m not yet aware of it you have to be a student of a particular University to take their SL course. I’ve heard there are classes you need to pay for. However, I found a great place for free education called “The Learning Experience”. This is a virtual campus where professors teach their classes completely free of charge. I’ve seen ads for classes on as vastly different as Angelology/Demonology to Writing Ebooks. I’m currently taking two free courses, one for Creative Writing and another for Playwriting.
(here's an image I took after the first ever playwriting class concluded.)
There are also museums you can visit in SL that have interactive aspects to them. I know of a Holocaust Museum and an International Spaceflight Museum so far. On The University of Ohio’s campus you can play educational games, like the Nutrition Game where you learn about how healthy you need to eat on a daily basis.
You can find more precise (and technical) info on the world of Second life by going to this Wikipedia Link:
There are also several great documentary-type videos on YouTube that highlight the educational uses of Second Life.
If you are already a Resident and need a friend or some help finding these places, my avatar’s name is Bridget Metall. I’m a newbie, but I’m willing to help out even newer newbies!
This is fascinating. Absolutely fascinating. Sounds like an adventure... almost sounds like something I'd like to do, except I really don't need another reason to spend way too much time on the internet. ^^;
And that's comin' at ya' from yer local redneck hippie.
--
Ooh, ooh, pick me, pick me!!!
It is incredibly addicting. I try to limit my time on SL now. I mostly only go on for my two classes, and sometimes I'll go on just to putz around, but I don't spend nearly as much time as when I was still learning how everything worked.
~ *~
This is a signature, an automated thingy that pops up when I comment, not a demand to see my blog!
Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I don't know that sounds strange to me...but I mean it could be fun for others. I guess what I am saying is I barely have time to blog on here and school work this semester is awful. I can't even draw, or read a book I just don't have the time. Thanks for sharing that though I have never even heard of that!
Sorry to disappoint you, but I am voting for Lewis Black.
DrifterDani~