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Introduction to Second Life

 

 

 

Sunrise on Idahonia, 2007

Welcome to the doorstep of the University of Idaho virtual campus in Second Life. We call it Idahonia. It is the online virtual extension of our open approach to higher education. Second Life [www.secondlife.com] is an interactive virtual world that currently has millions of participants world-wide. There is no cost to sign-up and experience this 3-D online world. For new users it may be best to think of Second Life as a 3-D interactive web browser where you can speak and physically interact with others in your class. In SL - like the real-world - you can learn, socialize, and explore. Many organizations have found that the educational, business and social networking dynamics of SL hold great promise for online access to valuable web resources. For users it can be just plain fun – the design for your character or avatar in SL is only limited by your imagination, and you can even fly! With a headset, you can talk and learn with your classmates from all over the globe - any where and any time.

"Virtual worlds are online environments that have game-like immersion and social media functionality without game-like goals or rules. At the heart is a sense of presence with others at the same time and in the same place....you feel like you are with other people in the same location together...Virtual worlds like Second Life hold a promise for a new era in human interaction and communication." --Giff Constable 

The University of Idaho Island in SL is a public space, and there are classrooms and meeting areas - some floating in the sky – for students enrolled in classes using SL in their coursework. We welcome your suggestions to make this online space pleasant, productive, and enjoyable.

Continue to Second Life - Idahonia
Note: A Second Life account is required to enter Idahonia

 

 

 

 

 

University of Idaho Virtual Technology and Design

News

 

Apr. 19, 2008

  •    BETA ALPHA PSI is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals. The UI student chapter will be simul-casting its regional "Best Practices" competition entry from Portland, OR live in SL Idahonia in the Skydome classroom! The presentation "Beyond RL: a Second Life for Beta Alpha Psi" will be Sat. 4/19 10 am PT.

Apr. 9, 2008

  •    Professor Moller (aka Aristotle Voom) presents "Aristotelian Digital Peripatetics" to the UI Interdisciplinary Research Colloquium; 12:30 Aurora Rm, UI Commons.

Mar. 30, 2008

  •    VTD senior capstone project designers ready UI Island for April "Virtual Vandal Thursday", prospective new student SL event on 4/17.

Mar. 12, 2008

  •    A 3-D tower illustrating Wenger's Social Learning Theory installed on Idahonia.

Feb. 3, 2008

  •    Students in ETox and FoodTox courses using the experimental SL resources for online support surveyed. Response analysis suggests these students think 3-D virtual worlds will have value in social and interactive learning in the near term future.

Dec. 15, 2007

  •    The first three UI courses with SL adjuncts are taught. ETox, FoodTox, and the VTD Capstone course students all had a chance to explore these new tools for learning. A critical review using student and professor input will be available in 2Q2008.

Dec. 3, 2007

  •    University of Idaho Virtual Technology and Design opens an island across the channel for student design and development work. Look for some next generation approaches to virtual experience appearing on the VTD rock.

Oct. 12, 2007

  •    Student HUD available to support and organize interaction in the Idahonia Skydome classrooms. This HUD allows for students in large group discussions to raise their hands while speaking and it lets your professor know who you are and how long you have had your hand up.

Funding Sources

NWACC - Northwest Academic Computing Consortium


SBOE Idaho Technology Incentive Grants