ISTE VEN Focus Sessions 2019-2020
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 2019-2020 Focus Sessions
September 17, 2019: Dr. Amy Cross on The “Avatar” in Social Virtual Environments
ISTE VEN Focus Session: The “Avatar” in Social Virtual Environments
Tuesday, September 17 @ 5:00 – 6:00pm SLT
Dr. Amy Cross is the founder of the Four Bridges Project in Second Life and is a virtual projects consultant. Her primary work is in virtual education and training with a passion for peace and reconciliation. Amy is currently developing an online program, in conjunction with the Four Bridges Project, for teaching and learning theories and practices in individual and organizational diversity, mediation, and conflict resolution. Amy’s current personal research involves the evolution of the woman in virtual environments, specifically women over 40.
For this presentation, Amy will talk about her 2018 dissertation research focusing on the components that make up the “avatar” in social virtual environments, the way our personalities and identities move through the components, and how that is mediated through technology as we connect with our online representations. Amy’s research is a combination of an extensive review of current literature, her own experiences (having been “millay” since 1993), and the stories and experiences of others in Second Life.
The ISTE Virtual Environments Network presents Focus Sessions as a way to interact with some of the preeminent practitioners of education in virtual worlds. We will meet in Second Life at
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EduIsland%209/15/67/22
Tuesday, September 17 @ 5:00 – 6:00pm SLT
Dr. Amy Cross is the founder of the Four Bridges Project in Second Life and is a virtual projects consultant. Her primary work is in virtual education and training with a passion for peace and reconciliation. Amy is currently developing an online program, in conjunction with the Four Bridges Project, for teaching and learning theories and practices in individual and organizational diversity, mediation, and conflict resolution. Amy’s current personal research involves the evolution of the woman in virtual environments, specifically women over 40.
For this presentation, Amy will talk about her 2018 dissertation research focusing on the components that make up the “avatar” in social virtual environments, the way our personalities and identities move through the components, and how that is mediated through technology as we connect with our online representations. Amy’s research is a combination of an extensive review of current literature, her own experiences (having been “millay” since 1993), and the stories and experiences of others in Second Life.
The ISTE Virtual Environments Network presents Focus Sessions as a way to interact with some of the preeminent practitioners of education in virtual worlds. We will meet in Second Life at
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/EduIsland%209/15/67/22
October 22, 2019: Vinhold Starbrook on Interactive Tools for Training / Education
There is a lot more that can be used besides "click" in virtual worlds to make things happen. With fine input using click and drag, it becomes possible to make any number of real world machines and tools work in simulation.
Vinhold Starbrook has been a software developer (mostly in business applications) since 1983. He joined Second Life in 2006 when his son was in college and found out about it from his professor. He is also a hobby machinist, so SL was a place where he could create things and program them. It was not long before he was making real world items work in a virtual world and figured out that it would be a good way to extend education and training options. Join us as a multi-faceted developer shares his innovative ideas!
Vinhold Starbrook has been a software developer (mostly in business applications) since 1983. He joined Second Life in 2006 when his son was in college and found out about it from his professor. He is also a hobby machinist, so SL was a place where he could create things and program them. It was not long before he was making real world items work in a virtual world and figured out that it would be a good way to extend education and training options. Join us as a multi-faceted developer shares his innovative ideas!
November 19, 2019: CANCELLED
DECEMBER 3, 2019: Tour of The Dickens Project by Valibrarian Gregg
The Dickens Project in Second Life is an interactive immersive region of displays, information, events featuring the Christmas writings of Charles Dickens and the Victorian era of history. Valibrarian Gregg will show us around. If you missed this tour, the region is open through December 31, 2019.
Find out more about the Dickens Project here:
Seanchai Library: http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/the-dickens-project-sl.html
Calendar of Events: https://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/dickens-events-calendar.html
Inara Pey's Blog: https://modemworld.me/2019/11/30/previewing-the-dickens-project-2019-in-second-life/
Find out more about the Dickens Project here:
Seanchai Library: http://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/the-dickens-project-sl.html
Calendar of Events: https://irelandslstory.blogspot.com/p/dickens-events-calendar.html
Inara Pey's Blog: https://modemworld.me/2019/11/30/previewing-the-dickens-project-2019-in-second-life/
JANUARY 21, 2020: Cancelled
February 18, 2020: Tour of Yavin IV Jedi Archive in Second life
L. Christopher Bird (Zenmondo Wormser in Second Life) has been writing CodePoetry (scripting in Second Life, coding or computer programming elsewhere ) since he was 6 years old. He came to Second Life in 2006 and found a home in the steampunk community of Caledon, where he was a moving force in the development of the Caledon Libraries. He has published a book on computer programming, and another on the Jedi philosophy and practice.
Zen grew up with the Star Wars films, and absorbed the mythos until it became an integral part of him. It was only natural for him to join a Star Wars roleplay community in Second Life. He has curated a Jedi archive there with a wealth of resources. Please join us as we tour this stunning example of a virtual world library.
Zen grew up with the Star Wars films, and absorbed the mythos until it became an integral part of him. It was only natural for him to join a Star Wars roleplay community in Second Life. He has curated a Jedi archive there with a wealth of resources. Please join us as we tour this stunning example of a virtual world library.
MARCH 17, 2020: A Sneak Peek at the VWBPE Conference: Stellar
We welcome the Executive Committee of the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference, held annually in the virtual world of Second Life. "The VWBPE Conference is a completely virtual conference that is conducted using simulated environments. Participants experience the conference through a virtual reality type setting including conference rooms, theatres, exposition halls, meeting spaces, and other types of venues similar to a brick and mortar type conference. The conference is free to attend. The cost of the conference is covered by sponsorship and donations." (http://vwbpe.org)
This year's conference will be held in a completely redesigned environment, built to exemplify this year's "Stellar" theme.
This year's conference will be held in a completely redesigned environment, built to exemplify this year's "Stellar" theme.
APRIL 21 2020: Thoth Jantzen on a Programmable Virtual Classroom
Thoth Jantzen's amazing exhibit at the VWBPE 2020 Conference featured the Khemennu Virtual University Programmable Virtual Classroom, which is available free to educators in Second Life. We will discuss and demo the virtual classroom, and talk about how it can be used to extend online teaching into an immersive virtual setting.
MAY 19, 2020: Cancelled
Due to circumstances beyond our control, this month's Focus Session is cancelled. Hope to see you next month!
June 16, 2020: Curei's Floating Gallery Tour
It's a wondrous adventure for your eyes, featuring the panoramic photo work of the photojournalist "Curei" (pronounced: CURE-ee-eye), and with special guest exhibitors from time to time as well. Currently that includes the real world gallery, Virtual Reality creations of "Tal," and the kinetic sculpture of "Gee." And a very special new addition is the Oracle. It is the wisdom of the ages made personal. It's a major effort containing 90 entries that you can access. It's an experience not to be missed.
We also hope that you will enjoy our Central Plaza area, the little model sail boats, the lovely Meditation Alcove, our magnificent one-of-a-kind spiral fountain, our strolling peacocks, the great Little Jazz Corner, and the relaxing music stream on the rest of this "floater." And who knows what else you might discover.
This is a place to renew one's soul. This is a place for your relaxation and enjoyment. This is a place to return to as often as you wish. Please join us for this special tour!
We also hope that you will enjoy our Central Plaza area, the little model sail boats, the lovely Meditation Alcove, our magnificent one-of-a-kind spiral fountain, our strolling peacocks, the great Little Jazz Corner, and the relaxing music stream on the rest of this "floater." And who knows what else you might discover.
This is a place to renew one's soul. This is a place for your relaxation and enjoyment. This is a place to return to as often as you wish. Please join us for this special tour!
JULY 21, 2020: Genevieve Johnson on Roblox Education
Genevieve is currently the Senior Instructional Designer for Roblox, the world's largest user-generated online gaming platform. By creating educational content and advising educators world-wide on how to use Roblox in STEAM based learning programs, more students will be empowered to pursue careers as entrepreneurs, engineers, and designers.
In the past, she has been Educational Content Manager for a nationwide tech education program that will reach more than 50,000 students yearly, ages 6–18. She helped launch a successful all-girls STEAM program, and her team develops educational content for over 60 technology-related courses, teaching a variety of subjects from coding to robotics and game design. Throughout her years as a game designer and an educator, she has found that sound game design and effective teaching strategies are remarkably similar.
Roblox Education http://education.roblox.com/
Picture and Bio from http://www.linkedin.com/in/gjohnsoncd/
In the past, she has been Educational Content Manager for a nationwide tech education program that will reach more than 50,000 students yearly, ages 6–18. She helped launch a successful all-girls STEAM program, and her team develops educational content for over 60 technology-related courses, teaching a variety of subjects from coding to robotics and game design. Throughout her years as a game designer and an educator, she has found that sound game design and effective teaching strategies are remarkably similar.
Roblox Education http://education.roblox.com/
Picture and Bio from http://www.linkedin.com/in/gjohnsoncd/
AUGUST 18, 2020: ISTE VEN SUMMER BREAK
Enjoy your time off! See you in September!