Trekkie’s forgive me if I butcher this analogy, but it’s relevant here:

In one of the original Star Trek movies – I think Star Trek III – there is a scene in which the Enterprise is chasing down a stolen ship, carrying the Genesis Device.  The stolen ship, captained by Khan, heads into a nebula to try escape.  Moments pass where neither ship knows where the other is, and they’re effectively flying blind.  Then suddenly Spock makes an observation to the effect of “Khan is not used to space.  He only thinks in two dimensions”.

In trying to get my head around the design for the SecondLife project I’ve been asked to co-lead, this notion keeps running through my head.  How do you use the allotted space effectively?  Architects may be comfortable with working in three dimensions, but it’s a very new experience to me – especially when you consider the scale and scope of elevations that are at your disposal.  This goes for both terriforming and sub-marine, or extra-terrestrial locations.

Furthermore, when considering educational uses of SecondLife there is the added element of maximising the learning possibilities to consider.  Not surprisingly I’ve been finding all this a challenge.

During this weekend’s unconference on the Island of Jokaydia, however, one speaker mentioned something that I’m currently looking into.  Given several of my CCK08 classmates have indicated they are in a similar head-space with regards to the educational uses of SecondLife I thought it was worth sharing here.

Apparently the island of Terra Incognita, run by Lindy McKeown (aka Decka Mah) has a really nice example of functional use of space in the form of “Decka’s Decks.”

As McKeown explains in an audio file:

“Decka’s Decks is designed as an innovative teaching space capable of seating groups of up to 35 of the large groups, but able to convert instantly into 5 different breakout rooms.”

As shown in the embedded image at the top of this post, the space resembles a relaxing, outdoor, open-air venue whereby a facilitator – seated in the middle – can facilitate the activities of a collection of people.  This alone does not make it innovative though; it’s the break-out rooms that do this.

McKeown continues in the recording:

“…when small group discussions are needed, a simple touch of a button on the table and each pod can fly to a safe chat distance.  Pods can be locked down by the facilitator to prevent accidental departure and recalled at anytime.”

This is a very creative approach to facilitating groupwork that capitalises on the potential that SecondLife has to offer.  In my view there are too many instances in which educational sites are mere replications of what exists in the real world.  I think one of the key opportunities for engagement in SecondLife lay with seeing site design in a brand new way, uninhibited by the traditional factors that we see in real life.

Resources:

• Lindy McKeown discusses Decka’s Decks: http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/lindy/sl/deckas_decks.mp3
• Terra Incognita: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Terra%20incognita/128/128/39
• Decka’s Decks:** http://slurl.com/secondlife/Terra%20incognita/179/40/66

**NB: You cannot teleport directly to Decka’s Decks using the above link; this slurl included for reference only.  To visit Decka’s Decks go to the link to Terra Incognita and you will be taken to the landing location.  Then from the lower right-hand corner of the visitor’s map in the landing location, right-click on the red dot beside Decka’s Decks and choose teleport.  You’ll be taken straight there.