Thanks very much for all the useful information and insight you’ve offered. I’ve just sent through a friend request and would love a chance to catch up with you in SecondLife for a tour of Wash U @ Jokaydia.

I’ve also noticed that the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has a number of ongoing events as well. I’ll be looking into this organisation as well.

Are there lists and/or groups that you’d recommend joining – either in SecondLife or elsewhere? I’m keen to start interacting with other people and start to explore the social (constructivist) aspects of SL.

Thanks very much!

Cheers,

Mike

“One thing was made very clear in this experience, you cannot gain a proper appreciation for what SecondLife is like – and therefore its value and corresponding opportunities – without first interacting with others and embracing the social aspects of the virtual world.”

I’m Chimera Cosmos in Second Life, and a college chemistry faculty member for 35 years. I have many educational and technology interests that overlap with your own.

What you say in the quote above is absolutely correct and far truer than you realize at this point!

I hope you will contact me in Second Life. I’d be happy to show you around my home, the Wash U plot on Jokaydia (http://jokaydia.com) – an Australian-developed educational community) and point you towards interesting sims.

All of your questions and speculations will be answered as you spend more time becoming fluent with the SL interface and meet a variety of residents. There is much to learn, but it is a fun process. Once you join some interest groups, regularly attend events, meet people from around the world, and start to explore the vast territory, you will begin to see yourself as a resident as well. IBM alone has 10,000 employees worldwide who regularly meet and work in the virtual world! I now have over 150 Second Life friends that I also connect with on Facebook and Twitter.

One way to begin to understand the culture (and there most definitely is one that has evolved since 2003) is to watch one of the Second Life TV networks. You can do that on the web at http://slcn.tv, but you can also attend live tapings of the shows “in-world.”

Another way is to scan some of the dozens of blogs and online news sites like “New World Notes.” Also look for “Not Possible in Real Life” (http://npirl.blogspot.com) with descriptions of fantastic places to visit. For education, see http://sl.nmc.org. Put the tag “second life” into flickr to find thousands of photos. Or put “second life” and any other key word(s) into Google and see what turns up.

Next time you meet up with Lisa or others from CCK08, consider using Skype. We often use it for working meetings in SL because you can talk naturally while moving around, without thinking about the interface.

I regret not having the time to engage as fully as I would like with CCK08, but one of the things that caught my interest was the Second Life cohort meetings at the Connectivism Village. This week is the Educause national conference, so I’ll miss even more.

Please, anyone reading this, do offer Friendship to Chimera Cosmos next time your are in SL and tell me you come from CCK08.

My audio being unavailable, I did feel at times that this would have been a more “efficient” conversation just using IM, though the images/setting gave a more interesting feel. I am not a gamer, and still think it odd to appear to be standing in front of someone while typing to them. Like at a cocktail party, I was never sure what to do with my hands…

Under all that, though, was a chance to get to know you a little better, which was absolutely delightful in any format!

I’ve only just begun to explore reflective writing in earnest. So it’s great to get your feedback in that respect. Seesmic is a great tool I must say, so if you start to use it more frequently please let me know and I’ll be sure to jump in the conversations.

In case you didn’t know you also have the option of posting video comments on this blog. Just click the “Or add a Video Comment” link just below the Submit Comment button to toggle to the Seesmic option.

Cheers,

Mike

What a delightful post. I apologise for not visiting your site sooner.

I am fascinated by learners’ biographies and stories. Your post is a great example to share. I will return to use Seesmic!

Keith