NMC Campus Observer

A Good Teacher Story

CDB Barkley (aka Alan Levine) : May 23, 2007 05:54pm

Its re-assuring to hear of success stories in Second Life. A few weeks ago, i gave a quick tour and offered a meeting location yo a faculty at California State Polytechnic University (an NMC Member).

Today, I got a message back from AlanaClaire Decuir (a.k.a Teshia Young Roby):

Several weeks ago I contacted you via phone and I met you in Second Life to discuss using NMC space to interact with my students. I was very nervous but excited by the possibilities.

Well, we had our SL activity. It was absolutely amazing. On the evening of the activity, I had them meet me in the NMC conference room. Then we went to the EduIsland library to do some info searches. We visited a student thesis presentation and afterward went to Ohio University to visit their student art exhibit and lounge in their student center. Finally, we visited the open air meeting space and spent some time in Roma. The students had a ball.

Now, I am so encouraged by the possibilities of SL in academia. I have decided to submit a plan to our provost to get money to build a campus in SL. In doing so, though, it has become more apparent that I have no idea of how to really get going. In addition to need to know a ballpark for the costs (land, development, and reoccurring costs), I need to know what type of talent should be on the team (particularly if we plan to develop in-house), and just where in the world should we begin!

Thank you again for your help. You truly helped me start my SL teaching life on the right foot.

She also shared a photo of her first class activity in SL:

CSU Pomona students hold a meeting in the conference room on Teaching

Story filed under: Teaching and Learning

See all stories by CDB Barkley (aka Alan Levine)