Virtual Worlds conference, post #1

Saturday, I spent the entire day at the first Libraries, Education and Museums conference in Second Life. Like conferences in real life, it was equally fascinating and exhausting. Again, my lack of gaming abilities show, if only in my computer stamina. Even for a web junkie like me, 14 hours was a bit long. That said, I felt like it was very worthwhile.

Most of my educational focus to this point has been around children and adolescents, but I found myself very inspired by the potential for SL and virtual worlds in adult free choice learning. So inspired that I am thinking of proposing another independent study for next semester - maybe even a thesis.

Breakdown of the day with notes:

Keynote Address: · OPEN KEYNOTE DISCUSSION: "Virtual Worlds: Libraries, Education, Museums, and More" Presented by Barbara Galik (Puglet Dancer in SL) and Kitty Pope (Kitty Phillip in SL)

Location: Babbage Amphitheatre

Galik and Pope, who have been active in the development of the Alliance Information Archipelago and other virtual world library projects, will discuss where we are with library service in virtual worlds and where we are going. They will discuss the the fast progress (explosion) of the project to get to the high level of collaborative development that exists today. They also will discuss what we need to do moving forward to sustain and grow library services in virtual worlds. sustain and grow

Kitty and Puglet spoke a great deal about the success of InfoIsland (slurl) in Second Life. In 2 years they have gone from one to over 40 active sims. Kitty drew attention to the newly opened Land of Lincoln sim, which recently hosted an inaugural ball for President’s Day. The sim was developed in concert with Teen SL students and a local High School. I took a moment today to visit the Land of Lincoln and was pleasantly surprised. Rather than feeling like an anachronism at a living history site, visitors are offered free outfits to help them blend in. This spirit of immersive environments in SL was addressed again at later sessions.

Kitty and Puglet explained that the huge growth in the sims has shown them that there is indeed a need for library services in SL. There is a growing acceptance of virtual library services, and some programs are already offering non-credit courses in virtual librarianship. Reference remains their core service, but programs are steadily growing. Kitty mentioned the potential shown in virtual language programs on Info Island International, allowing immersive language experience with native speakers.

Programs on Info Island seem innovative and fun – and are very popular. Recently II hosted a “Mark Twain Cussing Contest” (See post here) with informational training sessions prior. The island is also home to a mystery manor, where classic mystery stories are discussed.

Kitty made a point that I feel does get missed when speaking to stakeholders about the power of virtual environments. “Behind every avatar there is a person” and “Avatars are inquisitive and social.” Too often avatar interaction is seen as a false sort of social interaction, but being at this conference with 70 other people, all passionate about education and the possibilities of the platform, was proof enough that avatars are an extension of a real person, with real interests and passion.

Puglet brought up many of the needs that still exist. The presence of 70 avatars, plus a gorgeous sim, and slides/streaming media, created a perfect opportunity for lag. In only one session that I attended did the slides rez properly. SL needs to create the ability to facilitate large group meetings without lag and rez problems. Additionally, people need to be educated that while personal expression is nice, avatars need to dress for success in group sessions, by being simple and easy to rez. We also, as a community of educators, need to find ways to get newcomers to overcome the learning curve. We need to find new ways to help newbies learn the ropes in a less painful and plodding way.

The final piece of advice offered…Keep it fun. If your programs are fun, they will be successful. After an evening exploring the 1860’s, in full dress….I would have to agree!