ThunderRoad

Walk with avatar Thunder Insippo into VSTE's Second Life space. See what happens on the road to VSTE Island and how it helps with real life teaching and learning.

Six steps to becoming comfortable teaching, learning, and networking in Second Life, the pathway to other virtual worlds. Video 1 Intro Thunder UVA Wise Spending time inworld Attending Meetings > ISTE, Virtual Pioneers, ISTE Tour Group
 * Do the tutorials at the welcome center you land in when you create an account. (Demo with Edtechie)
 * Try the tutorials at ISTE, but as of Nov. 2011 they are not up to date. (International Society for Technology in Education) @http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ISTE%20Island/170/31/30
 * Try the tutorials at Virtual Ability Island. (Assistive Technology) @http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/128/128/23
 * Try the NMC tutorials. (Consortium of Universities in Second Life) @http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NMC%20Welcome%20Center/64/224/23
 * Caledon Oxbridge (Steampunk Community of role players) @http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Greystoke/152/254/47
 * SciLands (Created by folks in the science and medical fields) @http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SciLands/198/16/23
 * Join groups: VSTE @secondlife:///app/group/ad9dc928-e69f-2aa6-f7fa-7361217a31fb/about
 * Read the notices as they come
 * Read past notices, some may still be current. Some notices are for other groups. We cross post things we think will be interesting to other groups.
 * Sit in on some meetings
 * Science Friday

Networking
 * Start by talking to people you see at meetings (IM)
 * When you become comfortable in meetings start adding to the chat
 * When you become comfortable try using VOICE
 * Friend some people
 * Say Hi whenever you notice a "friend" online
 * Use your profile and the NOTES page of others' profiles
 * Set up informal meetings with friends that have common interests

Touring
 * The ISTE Tour group is the best place to start.
 * Check out the Landmarks at ISTE and follow some of them.
 * Join Expedition Central
 * Try the Destination Guide for tour ideas
 * Search for blogs with Second Life landmarks

Taking free classes
 * Monthly make and take workshops at VSTE meetings
 * Caledon
 * Building Classes

Getting involved
 * Offer to present at VSTE meetings (mobile apps, web tools, application training, resources for teachers and students)
 * Offer to lead a VSTE tour
 * Start a small group meeting on a topic of your choice at VSTE
 * Start a group discussing a book you are reading

Real Life Teaching and Learning Applications
 * Book Talks
 * Web 2.0 Tools
 * Networking with teachers in Maine, China, Australia, Montana http://www.ramsaysclass.com/collaboration_station.htm
 * Teaching and Learning in SL NVCC (Greg Perrier) @http://blogs.nvcc.edu/gperrier/2011/11/26/learn-by-doing-in-second-life/
 * Discovery Education application lessons
 * Broadened my network to ISTE and beyond. (Joined ISTE and attended two ISTE conferences because of Second Life)