NMC Campus Observer

Alien Landing on Global Kids Island

CDB Barkley (aka Alan Levine) : May 31, 2007 09:55am

Little Green Man

Originally uploaded by NMC Second Life.

Note- the photo above is not an actual photo of today’s mystery alien, just another random one from our archives!

On May 31, 2007, at 2:00 PM PDT/SLT, a special alien visiting from a planet unknown to us, is expected to land in the Teen Grid somewhere near the volcano on Glbal Kids Island, and this friendly so-called alien will be looking for an appropriate avatar outfit to “fit into” as he/she explores Global Kids Island for the first time.

This alien is actually Professor Jim Paul Gee from University of Wisconsin, who will be appearing on GK island for the first time as part of an Avatar Contest.

While the activity is taking place on the Teen Grid, there will be an audio stream available, and an ability to communicate via chat in Sloodle. Here are some details…

As part of welcoming him to TSL, Professor Gee will be speaking on a live audio stream while trying on different avatars created by teens. Here’s how you can participate in GK’s first ever mix grid Sloodle event:

On Thursday May 31st, 2007, 2pm SL time, Gee will be landing on Global Kids Island in TSL. Open a regular browser and access this audio stream beginning at 2pm SL time:
rtsp://dss17.streamhoster.com/lv_globalkids/audio.sdp

Once you are listening in, please register for a free Sloodle account. You can also do this prior to the event to save some time.

Step 1: go to
http://www.sloodle.com/mod/chat/gui_header_js/index.php?id=13

Step 2: Make up a user name and password on this page. If the user name is available you will be taken to their registration form.

Step 3: Fill in the mandatory fields in the registration form which are- First name, Surname, Email, City/ Town and Description. Then click update profile

Step 4: You will see this message: “You are about to enroll yourself as a member of this course. Are you sure you wish to do this?” Click on YES and you will immediately be a part of the teens dialogue on TSL with us.

The main goal for this event is to encourage teens to interact with Professor Gee in a highly interactive and fun way. He will be speaking to them addressing issues such as avatar representation, online identity, and the embodied nature of learning that he expects to embrace as he tries on different avatar outfits created by teens.

Teens will know in advance that adults from around the world will listen in and participate in the live chat dialogue with them. The event is scheduled for no longer than 1 hour.

Let’s see how the kids dress up this alien!

For questions- contact Tabitha

Story filed under: People, Places, Things, What's Happening

See all stories by CDB Barkley (aka Alan Levine)