Second Life
Second life is an example of emerging technology that is finding a place at the University of San Diego. It is the largest virtual world in a crowded field of competitors, developed by Linden Labs, a private corporation.
It is 3-D computer-generated world that is accessible via the Internet. Both PC and Mac users can download a small, free software program that enables users to socially interact through 3-D characters known as avatars. Participants can engage in rich sensory experiences, activities and environments that can be difficult to duplicate in the real world.
From Art Gallery exhibits to English Literature, History, Astronomy, Marine Sciences Microbiology, Psychology, Sociology and more - many educational examples exist within Second Life, and we invite you to contact us to learn more about how we can help integrate this virtual environment into your course.
Video: What can Second Life offer to students and faculty in Higher Education? Take a short tour of educational locations
- The University of San Diego has established a developing presence within Second Life on land shared with other educational institutions.
- USD land in Second Life contains an amphitheater complete with a large-screen display capable of showing streaming videos from USD servers.
- A multi-use building can handle PowerPoint slides and external websites without leaving the environment.
- Courses are being developed that incorporate Second Life. View a sample lesson plan for an e-commerce course.
- Ultimately, plans are to leverage the unique capabilities and environment within Second Life to build collaborative courses that can most take advantage of this environment.
Students and faculty can make access virtual classes from any computer anywhere with an Internet connection.
- Many constraints on projects imposed by the real world such as of a financial or space-related nature can be circumvented in Second Life.
- Students can interact in real time via voice or chat 24 hours day seven days a week.
- Use the freely accessed USD land as a meeting and learning point before stepping into our transportation terminal and travelling to a range of fascinating educational locations.
- Many historically accurate environments have been built by government and educational entities that can be freely visited an used as an educational experience.
- Click on http://secondlife.com to create an account, download the free client software (Mac or PC) and get started.
Support Documentation:
- After installing Second life access the Getting Started in Second Life document to get up and running in no time.
- Or - feeling confident? Jump right into Second Life and travel to USD's land directly.
- Learn how to navigate and edit your avatar's appearance with the Basic Navigation and Avatar Controls document.
- View Virtual Vocabulary, (PDF) - a concise list of terms commonly used in conjunction with virtual environments.
- Take notes, jot down locations of interest and plan your own use of Second Life using the Project Planning Template (PDF).
Support Workshops:
- Attend a Second Life Demo workshop. Sign-up using our online reservation system.
Contact the iTeam
- We're here to help!
Phone: 619.260.7400
Email: iTeam@sandiego.edu
In person: 194-196 Maher Hall
