The OLN Second Life Learning Community serves to collaboratively engage faculty in the exploration of the educational possibilities
in the online virtual world. Presentations examine virtual campuses, museums, instructional theme parks, and educational role
playing environments in Second Life. The learning community is working on devising strategies for establishing an infrastructure
that fosters innovative teaching within a Metaversity. The Second Life Learning Community also prepares faculty to segue real
and web teaching pedagogy into 3D virtual space. This initiative also encourages educational collaboration with other networked
communities throughout the state.
As part of the Ohio Learning Network, the BGSU Second Life Learning Community would like to help establish technologically
enhanced collegiate programs that take advantage of the global virtual community that extends far beyond the Midwest. The
Second Life environment enables faculty and students to interact using multi-modal interfaces and social networking communication.
Faculty and students are becoming increasing comfortable in digital environments via their experience with gaming, chat rooms,
MySpace, and the web in general. By coupling pedagogical goals with environments that are enticing, we can create a dynamic
learning experience using this innovative technology.
