ISTE VEN Focus Sessions 2017-2018
The ISTE Virtual Environments Network's Focus Sessions featured noted practitioners of education in virtual environments, in an interactive setting, monthly in Second Life. These sessions have been discontinued. See the navigation menu above for links to the archives.
Past 2017-2018 Focus Sessions
September 19, 2017: Amy Cross on Surveying Second Life
Amy Cross is a Ph.D. Candidate in an interdisciplinary program at the University of Maine. Her work combines virtual technology, human-computer interaction, and studies in peace and reconciliation. millay Freschi is the founder of the Four Bridges Project in Second Life and served as the virtual world coordinator for both Amnesty USA and the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. Her dissertation research and study examines the effect of the avatar in virtual social activism.
As part of her research, Amy is using a survey to compile a baseline description of the average Second Life user. The point of describing a baseline user is to make a comparison to residents that identify as “activists”. Information gathered through the survey may also assist future researchers in their pursuit of understanding our community. Amy will go over some of the more interesting preliminary results of the survey and will share insight into what her background research has shown with regard to the formation of identity, perspective and the effect of interaction on who we are offline.
As part of her research, Amy is using a survey to compile a baseline description of the average Second Life user. The point of describing a baseline user is to make a comparison to residents that identify as “activists”. Information gathered through the survey may also assist future researchers in their pursuit of understanding our community. Amy will go over some of the more interesting preliminary results of the survey and will share insight into what her background research has shown with regard to the formation of identity, perspective and the effect of interaction on who we are offline.
October 17, 2017: Mary Howard on curriculum aligned student design
Mary Howard is a sixth grade teacher of ELA and social studies and was recently selected as a finalist for the 2018 New York State Teacher of the Year. She considers herself a fearless educator willing to implement and experiment with technology on many levels. Her recent ventures include the creation of an Augmented Reality Sandbox in her classroom and working with students to design and create 3D printed models of artifacts to support her curriculum. Engagement is a specialty for Mary, and a peek in her classroom will testify to that. Student are routinely engaged in Breakout.edu, Google Cardboard, VR/AR and other inquiry based activities to keep her classroom lively and rigorous.
A veteran presenter, Mary has presented throughout the New York State on technology integration, specifically at NYSCATE, MACUL, T3, Cornell University, Digital Wave Conference, Canisius College among others. Her ISTE experiences began in 2015 in Philadelphia and she has had the pleasure of presenting at the conference in Denver and in San Antonio. Mary works with the ISTE Virtual Environments Network and in the past 5 years has brought over 800 students into Open Sim Virtual Environments to support her instruction.
For this focus series, Mary will share her experiences in Open Sim with sixth grade students and the work they created as part of her social studies curriculum; specifically an Invent-It project.
You can more of see her EdTech musings on her blog: yoursmarticles.blogspot.com.
A veteran presenter, Mary has presented throughout the New York State on technology integration, specifically at NYSCATE, MACUL, T3, Cornell University, Digital Wave Conference, Canisius College among others. Her ISTE experiences began in 2015 in Philadelphia and she has had the pleasure of presenting at the conference in Denver and in San Antonio. Mary works with the ISTE Virtual Environments Network and in the past 5 years has brought over 800 students into Open Sim Virtual Environments to support her instruction.
For this focus series, Mary will share her experiences in Open Sim with sixth grade students and the work they created as part of her social studies curriculum; specifically an Invent-It project.
You can more of see her EdTech musings on her blog: yoursmarticles.blogspot.com.
NOVEMBER 21, 2017: Katherine Hewett on The Minecraft Project
Dr. Katherine Hewett (Twelfth Night in SL) will share research findings about her Minecraft Project. Five years ago, Dr. Hewett integrated Minecraft into her 3D Modeling and Animation courses. She will be sharing findings from her mixed methods research study, “The Minecraft Project: Predictors for Academic Success and the 21st Century Skills Gamers Learn through Video Game Experiences.” The findings create a possible profile of the classroom gamer that educators could utilize to better understand their students’ learning styles.
Dr. Katherine Hewett is a CTE/Technology Applications teacher at Richard King High School with her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She has been a virtual pioneer in the use of mainstream video games and emerging technologies in her classroom. Through her teaching and research, she seeks to serve the community by discovering, exploring, and testing best practices to improve the quality of education for 21st Century learners. Dr. Hewett was named the Texas Computer Education Association’s Classroom Teacher of the Year for 2010. The purpose of this state award is to honor contributions to the advancement of technology in education. She is also known among educators in Second Life for her period fashions and her work replicating historic textures for Buckingham Palace as her TwelfthNight avatar.
Dr. Katherine Hewett is a CTE/Technology Applications teacher at Richard King High School with her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She has been a virtual pioneer in the use of mainstream video games and emerging technologies in her classroom. Through her teaching and research, she seeks to serve the community by discovering, exploring, and testing best practices to improve the quality of education for 21st Century learners. Dr. Hewett was named the Texas Computer Education Association’s Classroom Teacher of the Year for 2010. The purpose of this state award is to honor contributions to the advancement of technology in education. She is also known among educators in Second Life for her period fashions and her work replicating historic textures for Buckingham Palace as her TwelfthNight avatar.
December 19, 2017: ActiveWorlds with Scott and Scott
Join Scott Merrick, ISTE VEN Co-Chair, and Scott Miller, former chief designer for the Indiana University's wildly successful Quest Atlantis, as they share some of the amazing affordances ActiveWorlds still provides for learning and teaching.
JANUARY 16, 2018: Open Forum
What have you been up to lately in virtual worlds? Come share with us. We can discuss any virtual worlds education topic that you want to!
February 20, 2018: Rockcliffe University Consortium in Physical and Virtual Worlds
Please join the ISTE Virtual Environments Network for an evening discussing innovation with members of Rockcliffe University Consortium, who are also the custodians of the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education.
Very few organizations offer two opportunities--one virtual and one live--to interact with powerful content and compelling individuals who innovate their practice as a matter of course. Both VWBPE and RUCC bring the expert community directly to you for networking, learning, and engaging. Attendance at VWBPE and RUCC is an active experience.
VWBPE (vwbpe.org), happening March 15-17, is a global grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive virtual environments. The conference is entirely online, affording attendees a unique, immersive experience.
RUCC (Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference), happening November 9 and 10, 2018 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, is experiential and leverages the live site as part of the participant’s experience.
Educators at any level or discipline should come listen to how these two events offer their own unique experiences, and how you can be a part of these special opportunities.
Kevin Feenan (SL: Phelan Corrimal) is the Founder of Rockcliffe University Consortium. Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and has a background in Organizational Design and IM/IT Application Architecture. Rockcliffe (http://urockcliffe.com) is an association dedicated to the development of best practices in education and technology.
Letitia De Leon (SL: Letty Luckstone) is an associate professor in the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, with an EdD in curriculum and instruction, whose research interest is on how adult learners learn, what motivates them, and what can have transformative effects on their professional identities.
Lorraine Mockford (SL: LoriVonne Lustre) recently retired as an Instructional Designer for Nova Scotia Community College. She holds an M.Ed. from the University of Prince Edward Island. Lorraine is an innovative and creative adult education professional with a keen understanding that the best projects are the result of collaboration among diverse participants. She loves virtual conferences and events.
Very few organizations offer two opportunities--one virtual and one live--to interact with powerful content and compelling individuals who innovate their practice as a matter of course. Both VWBPE and RUCC bring the expert community directly to you for networking, learning, and engaging. Attendance at VWBPE and RUCC is an active experience.
VWBPE (vwbpe.org), happening March 15-17, is a global grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive virtual environments. The conference is entirely online, affording attendees a unique, immersive experience.
RUCC (Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference), happening November 9 and 10, 2018 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, is experiential and leverages the live site as part of the participant’s experience.
Educators at any level or discipline should come listen to how these two events offer their own unique experiences, and how you can be a part of these special opportunities.
Kevin Feenan (SL: Phelan Corrimal) is the Founder of Rockcliffe University Consortium. Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and has a background in Organizational Design and IM/IT Application Architecture. Rockcliffe (http://urockcliffe.com) is an association dedicated to the development of best practices in education and technology.
Letitia De Leon (SL: Letty Luckstone) is an associate professor in the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, with an EdD in curriculum and instruction, whose research interest is on how adult learners learn, what motivates them, and what can have transformative effects on their professional identities.
Lorraine Mockford (SL: LoriVonne Lustre) recently retired as an Instructional Designer for Nova Scotia Community College. She holds an M.Ed. from the University of Prince Edward Island. Lorraine is an innovative and creative adult education professional with a keen understanding that the best projects are the result of collaboration among diverse participants. She loves virtual conferences and events.
March 20, 2018: VWBPE Reflections
I think attendees can all agree that this past weekend's Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference was stupendous. We all attended different sessions and events, so let's get together and share our personal highlights and takeaways from the conference.
April 17, 2018: Renne Brock-Richmond on Avatar Identity
"Liberate Agency Amplification Via Avatar Identity" Let go of control. Instructors empower students through agency with active learning ownership, not with ultimate authority. Build validating lessons prior to entering virtual situations with surprising personal investigation, mood board creation, and character sketches. Develop education buy-in through accelerated and immediate avatar customization to reveal individuality and unlimited potential. Use reflection exercises to reveal how this experience exposed their real investment in themselves. Participants will be able to utilize revelations of student’s motivation via avatar development. Participants will be able to foster personalized research, design, documentation, and blogging.
Renne Emiko Brock is an artist, instructor, superhero, and advocate of awesomeness empowering people to be their best virtual and tangible self by advancing excellence, exceptional pursuits, and individualism through creative expression and encouraging instruction with inspired results. Since 1993, she has taught fine art, fiber arts, digital arts, social media, multimedia web, video, personal and professional branding, marketing, collaborative community building, and art enterprise with Peninsula College, Monterey Peninsula College, at conferences, and independently. Renne has been teaching virtual world use since 2008. More about her work is available at http://uniqueasyou.com.
Renne Emiko Brock is an artist, instructor, superhero, and advocate of awesomeness empowering people to be their best virtual and tangible self by advancing excellence, exceptional pursuits, and individualism through creative expression and encouraging instruction with inspired results. Since 1993, she has taught fine art, fiber arts, digital arts, social media, multimedia web, video, personal and professional branding, marketing, collaborative community building, and art enterprise with Peninsula College, Monterey Peninsula College, at conferences, and independently. Renne has been teaching virtual world use since 2008. More about her work is available at http://uniqueasyou.com.
May 15, 2018: Sandrine Han on De/coding the Third Culture
The Third Culture is an intercultural worldwide mix of cultures that exists in virtual worlds created by residents who speak different textual languages. In the Third Culture, the meanings of images are built and negotiated by the Third Culture residents. Virtual world residents create and recreate their own and other cultures’ visual representations to promote their virtual products or ideologies. This presentation is to contemplate the tension between cultural studies and artistic creativity in the virtual world of Second Life.
Hsiao-Cheng (Sandrine) Han (Kristy Handrick in SL) is an assistant professor at The University of British Columbia, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Her research interests are in the fields of art education, visual culture, technology, cultural studies, and semiotics. Her current research focuses on the visual culture of the virtual worlds, as well as applying virtual world to art education. She likes to focus on how people learn from the 3D gaming world and how educators can use the 3D gaming world as an educational tool for both K-12 and higher education.
Hsiao-Cheng (Sandrine) Han (Kristy Handrick in SL) is an assistant professor at The University of British Columbia, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. Her research interests are in the fields of art education, visual culture, technology, cultural studies, and semiotics. Her current research focuses on the visual culture of the virtual worlds, as well as applying virtual world to art education. She likes to focus on how people learn from the 3D gaming world and how educators can use the 3D gaming world as an educational tool for both K-12 and higher education.
June 12, 2018: Recharging and Renewing your Profession with the Right Conference
Kevin Feenan, President of Rockcliffe University Consortium, and Leticia De Leon, Programs Chair for the upcoming Rockcliffe University Consortium Conference (RUCC) (https://prn.to/2JxUpQv), will be discussing How to Recharge and Renew your Profession with the Right Conference (http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-recharge-renew-your-profession-right-conference-leticia-deleon/). People have a driving need to be a part of their learning, not just a receptacle for it. Over the past 10 years we have proven the value of attending conferences virtually. Now, it's time to redefine how in-person conferences should differentiate themselves by blending the best that experiential learning and technology have to offer. Come find out how Rockcliffe is going to be taking the lead in helping to make hybrid conferences different and what it means for the future of mixed-reality conferences.