Week+5

=Week 5: Feburary 8 - 14=
 * Higher Education in Second Life**

This week we'll try to discover why Second Life has taken the early lead in the higher education virtual worlds market and how institutions from small community colleges to large research institutions are using the platform. In addition to exploring institutional use of Second Life, we'll also discuss how educators use Second Life as a professional networking tool through various in-world groups, associations, and live events.

Project 2 will also be introduced and explained this week.

Readings
No readings this week to give more time to Project 2.

Second Life Tasks – Project 2 (Due 2/22)
Using the Projects & Events Evaluation Matrix, attend one live educational event in Second Life and evaluate the experience using the matrix. Write a 2-3 page single-spaced paper describing your experience and justifying your evaluation scores. Paper and evaluation forms should be submitted by the start of class on 2/22 via email to fleep.tuque@gmail.com. Final documents should be in .doc or .xls form OR in Google Doc “Document” and “Spreadsheet” format.

Learners should have attended the live event and completed the evaluation using the matrix by the 2/15 class to give an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns before the project is due. Please do not wait until the last minute to attend an event! You may not be able to find a live event if you wait until the day before the project is due!

The Project & Events Evaluation Matrix is located online at: http://fleeep.net/docs/UofM_IWASL09_blue_projectevents_rubric.xls

1) Visit the Second Life calendar on Fleep Tuque’s personal blog at: http://www.fleeptuque.com/blog/sl-calendar/ 2) Visit the New Citizens Incorporated group in Second Life and view their class schedule in world at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fishermans%20Cove/63/186/25 or on the web at: http://www.nci-sl.org/blog/ 3) Search the Education Events listing using the “Search” tool in Second Life: “Search” button > Events tab > Select “Education” from the pull-down meny > click the “Search” button to do a blank search.
 * How to find Live Educational Events in Second Life:**

The live event must have some “educational” theme or purpose to qualify as an acceptable event for Project 2. For example, a dance party or live music performance would not be appropriate unless the purpose was to teach about dancing or performing music.

Forum Posts
No forum post this week to give more time to Project 2.