Saturday, October 31, 2020

2020 #WWEDU: Online library in 3DWebWorldz Part 1: BC and Medieval: Home school, pod school, self school, online school, writers, readers, book clubs


Online library in 3DWebWorldz Part 1: BC and Medieval
Home school, pod school, self school, 
online school, writers, readers, book clubs

Miss Brenda, Jamie Jordan, and Selby discuss the oldest items in the collection of the library.  



Friday, October 30, 2020

2020 VW: #VWEDU: Student onboarding for the online campus: Treat onboarding as a use case with its own skill set. Use-case analysis. Identify and teach the skills.


Student onboarding for the online campus:   
Treat onboarding as a use case with its own skill set.  
Use-case analysis.  
Identify and teach the skills.
Recommendations on onboarding plans for beginners entering virtual worlds for remote learning or remote meetings.  
Onboarding place
in 3DWebWorldz

Use-case analysis for this case

  • Describe a detailed scenario of what the beginning user needs to do.
  • Identify each needed action and the skills required.
  • Caution: you must get the novice viewpoint, not yours.
  • E.g.: "Click the Login button."  You know where the Login button is.
  • The novice has to find it.  
  • If you cannot easily see from the novice point of view, don't try.
  • Get a few novices and have them follow the onboarding procedure.
  • Have them talk aloud about what they are wondering at the moment.
  • Developers: this is how you debug the instructions.  
  • How do I fix it?  (After the break)



Tuesday, October 27, 2020

2020 #VWEDU: Why the digital campus should provide private student places: Identity and ownership. And how to do it in virtual worlds


Why the digital campus should provide student places.  
Identity and ownership.
Schools can provide private spaces for students at negligible cost and with significant benefits.  
My place in 3DWebWorldz
Click image to enlarge
  • I make my place public so anyone can visit.
  • No walls or roof: the weather is always good.

A place of my own.

  • Where they can keep a calendar, a work schedule, and links to work in progress.
  • Where they can show their work products and talk with friends
  • Display badges, trophies, posters and media prims showing their portfolio products.
  • A place where they can put their furniture and decorations.
  • How do they get all those things?  By working (learning) for them.  
  • How to Teach Online So All Students Feel Like They Belong

What gives a sense of ownership? 

  • Control: having control over it
  • Intimate knowledge: knowing a lot about it
  • Self-investment: putting a lot of effort into customizing it.

Can virtual worlds handle private spaces?

  • Web-worlds, completely
  • Installed virtual worlds, mostly private

Suggested sources

Monday, October 26, 2020

2020 #VWEDU: From the Empire State College 3rd annual residency: The opinionator to hold attention. You could even do this in an old wooden classroom


From the Empire State College 3rd annual residency: 
The opinionator to hold attention.  
You could even do this in an old wooden classroom.

Students can express opinions with this virtual world device.  Depending on the starting statement,  the opinions can indicate knowledge, thought, or readiness to defend a position.  

The opinionator in use
Click image to enlarge

How do you hold the attention of group?

  • Have them contribute to the presentation.
  • The opinionator is an example.
  • You give the group a statement.
  • The colored areas are marked with opinions:
  • Strongly disagree (blue), disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree (red)
  • People are to stand in the area that represents their opinions.

Immersive virtual residency

Sunday, October 25, 2020

2020 #VWEDU: Develop your online professional learning network (OPLN) in virtual worlds. The community in your laptop. Always ready. always handy


Develop your online professional learning network in virtual worlds.
OPLN: The community in your laptop.  
Always ready. always handy  
 
Educators network with other educators to share ideas and information.  And online network has greater reach and more information.  Here are links for starting your network.

    Who?

    • Educators
    • Students
    • Parents of students
    • Adult learners

    Online?

    • A PLN is mainly about sharing information.
    • Online probably has the information you want, but you need to find it. 
    • Wondering how?  
    • That is where a professional learning network (PLN) fits in.
    • Anything you want to know, you ask your network.
    • Here I will give suggestions and links you can use to get started.
    • CVL: Community Virtual Library
    • Watch on YouTube

    Virtual worlds? 

    • User-built virtual worlds.  These are not games.  You do what you please.
    • Some educators have been teaching in these places for years,
    • And they have gathered in communities and organized groups:
    • Networking in Virtual Worlds - The CVL Education Network
    • And they hold events fostering online education: CVL Events.
    • But we also use the extensive educational resources of the flat web.

    Saturday, October 24, 2020

    2020 TKR: TRAINING: SYMBOLIC MODELING FOR PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Invited post by Marly Milena


    TRAINING SYMBOLIC MODELING 
    FOR PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    Nov-Dec 2020   
    Invited post by Marly Milena

    An invitation to join the Fall 2020 SymMod (Symbolic Modeling) Training Sessions, led by Marly Milena (Niela Miller in first life). for leaders, educators, directors, facilitators, coaches et al who want to use arts-based processes.
    Library in the air
    Resting on books, a group gathers 
    to watch a demonstration of Symbolic Modeling
    An invitation to join the Fall 2020 SymMod (Symbolic Modeling) Training Sessions, led by Marly Milena (Niela Miller in first life). This training will consist of 4 sessions, lasting up to 2 hours each. ( a week apart on the same day of the week). The sessions will start after November 11, 2020, and the actual schedule will be determined before the first session, probably via Doodle.  

    Friday, October 23, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: Plans for teaching in a virtual world during this academic year. VWMOOC20


    Plans for teaching in a virtual world 
    during this academic year. 
    VWMOOC20 

    Dodge Threebeards and Widget Whiteberry will discuss plans for teaching in Second Life during the 20-21 academic year and what issues are people encountering: a discussion 
    • This week's discussion is led by Dodge Threebeards and Widget Whiteberry. 
    • Topic: plans for teaching in SL during this academic year and the issues.
    • Dodge will also tell about the 3rd edition of his Virtual Worlds Teaching Manual.
    • VWMOOC20 and Virtual Worlds Education Roundtable are part of the professional educator community (PLC) in virtual worlds.

    Tuesday, October 20, 2020

    2020 BIZ: #VWEDU: Networking support at online events. Conferences, conventions, trade shows. A major function is networking. How can it work online?


    Networking support at online events. 
    Conferences, conventions, trade shows.  
    A major function is networking.   
    How can it work online? 
    Consideration of how networking could work in large online events.
    OSCC 2019 WELCOME 

    What generally happens in these events? 

    • Big auditorium presentations 
    • Small localized displays, exhibit booths, poster presentations
    • Small meetings or workshops with selected persons conferring or working together
    • Opportunities to interact with the media
    • Networking 
    • Hanky-panky

    Networking support at online events

    • Virtual Trade Shows: Pros and Cons
    • One of the cons is networking support: you don't bump into people in the hall
    • What can replace the hall and the cocktail model? 
    • User profiles with interest measures
    • Interest measures
    • Big data handling
    • Search support
    • Clustering
    • Suggested contact list
    • Interest group sessions

    Monday, October 19, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: Introducing Virtually Anywhere in Second Life language-learning project. Narrative-based learning (PBL) for languages. Pionia Destiny presents.


    Introducing Virtually Anywhere in Second Life 
    language-learning project.  
    Narrative-based learning for languages

    Narrative-based (project-based) learning of a second language. Following narration concentrates attention on the language.  And a project can exercise the production of that language.   Virtual scenes related to the story can provide and environment for developing the story. 


    The instruction

    • Virtually Anywhere is a trans-media experience for language learning. 
    • Students collaborate in the creation of a new fiction based on an existing series. 
    • The story line is from the audio series by Cambridge Assessment English
    • The series is about students struggling with coursework.
    • A mentor appears and takes them on travels to virtual scenes.
    • The virtual scenes fit with the narrative.  
    • The narration is entirely in the target language. 
    • The project is to write new episodes in the target language.
    • The virtual scenes provide an environment for the new episodes.  

    Sunday, October 18, 2020

    2020 #WVEDU: The social part of the Virtual Learning Village. A lot of learning happens from interacting with other people


    The social part of the Virtual Learning Village.  
    A lot of learning happens from interacting with other people.

    A virtual world grid with focus on education. Features to encourage social interaction

    Notes

    Behind the project:

    Friday, October 16, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: Career exploration: Educational unbundling by the internet


    Career exploration: 
    Educational unbundling by the internet: 
    Nepris
    The internet greatly expands the scope of career exploration for schools and colleges. Some of that expansion is available now.  The potential for the future is much greater.

    *******************************************

    The old way

    The future way

    *********************************

    Visit me on the web

    ************************

    License

    • Original text in this blog is CC By: unless specified public domain.
    • Use as you please with attribution: link to the original.
    • All images without attribution in this blog are CC0: public domain.
    • Screenshots from ShareX
    • Second LifeLindenSLurl, and SL are trademarks of Linden Research Inc.
    • Annotated screenshots made with Techsmith Capture
    • This blog is not affiliated with anything.   Ads are from Google.
    • Selby Evans in Kitely and Hypergrid, Thinkerer Melville in Second Life.

    Monday, October 12, 2020

    2020 #DTA: #VWEDU: Learning in role-play: Can you do that online? Yes you can. But you gotta know the territory.


    Learning in role-play:  
    Can you do that online?  
    Yes you can.  
    But you gotta know the territory.

    Virtual worlds have both scenes and characters.  Roleplaying as a hobby is a well-established activity there.  For entrepreneurial instructors it offers an instructional method that taps into imagination, motivation, and social behavior. 
    This article is explicitly licensed Public Domain (CC0).


    • The territory in this case is a digital world.  A MUVE A virtual world.
    • Online learning does not have to be solitary in a digital world.
    • People can play a role relevant to the learning context.
    • In an avatar that fits the role.
    • In a scene that fits the story

    Sunday, October 11, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU Immersive language learning and: Why would you do a presentation this way? Use the powers of the Digitals.

    Immersive language learning and: 
    Why would you do a presentation this way?  
    Use the powers of the Digitals.

    We digitals have a new set of powers in the digital worlds.  We don't have to do things the old way.  We can do things in ways that are more productive in fitting our objectives.

    .
    • Heike Philp / Gwen Gwasi; 
    • Jennifer Hamilton / Jaz Beverly; 
    • Annalisa di Pierro /Innesfree;
    • Helena Galani /erlinaazure 

    Problems

    • The presentation is 50 minutes long.  Few people will spend that long on a video.
    • The audio is not of good quality.  
    • Using the powers of the digitals on these problems.
    • One power of the digitals is search on page.

    Saturday, October 10, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: OSCC19 BEING LIMINAL: AN EDUCATIONAL LOOK AT LITRPG, THE METAGAME AND VIRTUAL WORLDS


    OSCC19 BEING LIMINAL: 
    AN EDUCATIONAL LOOK AT LITRPG, 
    THE METAGAME AND VIRTUAL WORLDS

    An exploration of the liminal state or in-between state that exists between the metagame and players in games and virtual environments. This liminal state has now extended to transmedia experiences to include the LitRPG genre. This panel will discuss the exploration of the liminal state where a player (learner) can take advantage of the duality that facilitates deep learning and creativity.

    Glossary

    Tuesday, October 6, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: MOOC20 Virtual world education on the web. “Lessons Learned” from a university’s master course held in a web based virtual world environment.


    Virtual world education on the web.  
    “Lessons Learned” from a university’s master course 
    held in a web based virtual world environment. 
    A presentation about recent educational uses for the web-based virtual worlds of Metaverse Software. These places load in the browser with no preparation, not even registration for an account.
    • Edward Tarber (RL: Dieter Heyne) Web Based Virtual World Education 
    • “Lessons Learned” from a university’s master course held in a web based virtual world environment. 
    • Metaverse Software (the company)
    • CybaLOUNGE login  (domain name used by the company)
    • Scroll down to see my office times in CybaLOUNGE

    Monday, October 5, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: #DTA Era of the entrepreneurial educator. The unbundling of education opens the gate for entrepreneurs.


    Era of the entrepreneurial educator.  
    The unbundling of education 
    opens the gate for entrepreneurs.  
    Updated 9/12/2021
    Virtual worlds in a browser, online campus, Empire State College (SUNY) , digital museums and art galleries, career training, instructional field trips, presentations, training for online work, job market, digital skills
    The Empty Classroom

    Contents below

    • Virtual worlds in a browser
    • Online campus, Empire State College (SUNY)
    • Digital museums and art galleries
    • Career training
    • Instructional field trips
    • Presentations
    • Conferences
    • Project-based learning
    • Language learning
    • Interpersonal skills
    • Digital teaching assistant (DIA)
    • Professional learning community (educators)
    • Training for online work, job market, digital skills
    • Onboarding

    Sunday, October 4, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: VWBPE 2020 Keynote: Lessons Learned from the 2020 Educators in VR Conference. Are conferences in digital places viable?


    VWBPE 2020 Keynote: 
    Lessons Learned from the 2020 Educators in VR Conference. 
    Are conferences in digital places viable? 

    Are immersive conferences viable?  Of course they are.  I have been reporting on one since 2011 and here present a video of one of the keynotes from this year.

    • Speakers: Lorelle VanFossen / Lorellev, co-founder of Educators in VR Introduction: Lorraine Mockford / LoriVonne Lustre
    Lorelle VanFossen is the co-founder of Educators in VR, and producer of the world’s largest immersive virtual conference, the 2020 Educators in VR International Summit, held in February. She is an educator, keynote speaker, trainer, writer, and consultant on virtual reality in eduAre immcation, web writing, digital storytelling, content curation, social media, and blogging. Called a digital evangelist, she’s taught over 1000 workshops and classes in virtual reality and has published over 3,000 articles on digital storytelling, social media, and web publishing as a thought-leader in the industry.

    Advantages of digital conferences

    Attendees

    • No travel costs
    • No travel time.
    • No exposure to disease.
    • All of the information you collect is on your computer.
    • All of the contacts you make are in your contact files.
    • You are never away from your office.
    • If you already have a good computer, there are no equipment costs.
    • For some digital places you may want to buy a stereo headset. 
    • But that is optional--you can watch a monocular view on a monitor.

    Organizers

    • Small facility costs; probably less than the janitorial costs of a physical facility.
    • You need not pack everything into a few days.  
    • You can run the conference over several weekends.
    • You can video-capture all events at small cost.
    • You can collect an archive of presentations as is done here.

    Saturday, October 3, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: Looking around the campus: Virtual Learning Village


    Looking around the campus: 
    Virtual Learning Village

    Continued interview with Maximillian Merlin about his online educational campus called "Virtual Learning Village".

    Behind the project:

    Features of this grid

    • 3D digital world.
    • Collaboration and social interaction.
    • Interactive environments: objects can teach.
    • G-rated environment: Family friendly.
    • Programs available to support educational activities and games.
    • Programming and building help available by qualified persons.
    • (This may cost, but the workers will be experienced.)
    • Attention to enabling features for disabilities.
    • Available on the internet, so 24/7 anywhere with internet service.
    • HG address: virtuallearningvillage.org:8002

    Friday, October 2, 2020

    2020 #VWEDU: Career exploration and career training. In virtual worlds, they can use the same facility. No risk, no travel. All on a laptop.


    Career exploration and career training.  
    In virtual worlds, they can use the same facility.  
    No risk, no travel. All on a laptop.
    The entrepreneurial educator: Virtual field trips for career exploration.  Virtual training for careers with safety needs or with unforgiving circumstances.  

    Why virtual?

    • No travel cost
    • No travel time
    • No travel planning
    • As safe as home
    • World wide access.  
    • Facilities maintenance costs a few dollars.
    • The training facility is as near as the internet.
    • The training is as safe as the home.
    • The training facility can be duplicated for a dollar or so
    • Don't wonder about it--go there and see for yourself.
    • Second Life.
    • Kitely. 

    The old way