Integrating Second Life and Google MapsMalcolm X Across Platforms

A Project of Honors COM 101-160 (Fall 2007)

Instructor: Amani WazwazLibrarians: Troy Swanson and Larry Sloma

1Wednesday, April 23, 2008

• A three dimensional persistent online environment (“world”).

• Accessed using special free software and an Internet connection.

• Access and many materials (clothing, etc.) are free.

• All content (buildings, clothing, etc.) is created by users.

• Every user is represented by a self determined “avatar.”

• Used for recreation, socializing, business, education, and cultural pursuits.

What is Second Life?

2Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Second Life in the Classroom

• The project goal was to explore the possibilities of Second Life as a student engagement tool.

• Second Life was used as a presentation space rather than a synchronous communication tool.

• The online exhibit was intended to contextualize student content.

• Students supplied exhibit content and design ideas. Building and scripting was not the responsibility of the students.

• MVCC exhibit space was generously provided by SUNY.

3Wednesday, April 23, 2008

• (Free) accounts created for students in advance.

• Two class sessions in a Second Life equipped computer lab.

• Second Life client installed on 6 Library patron computers.

• Extra lab meeting time offered for interested students.

Student Access to Second Life

4Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Hands-on classes were held in one of the CTL’s computer labs.

5Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The completed exhibit.

6Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The welcome area offers an overview of the project and viewing tips.

7Wednesday, April 23, 2008

A virtual laptop offers visitors access to traditional Web-based content.

8Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Maps, text, images, audio and video are displayed.The display material is student created and student selected.

9Wednesday, April 23, 2008

When clicked, map markers deliver the student narratives to visitors.

10Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Smaller map pins indicate other locations mentioned in the student narratives.

11Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Some maps are more information dense than others.

12Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Attribution is provided for external materials, with links to Web sources.

13Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Project T-shirts are available.

14Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Google Maps

• Temporal and geospatial view of the book.

• Browser-based and accessible to a larger community.

• Used third party application (GmapsEZ) to construct the maps.

• An easier technology to manipulate than Second Life.

15Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Project Evaluation

• Google Maps was fairly easy to work with. Second Life presented more challenges.

• We had the brightest and most engaged the student body had to offer, but they were not as impressed as we'd hope…but they were still impressed.

• Building a Second Life exhibit is not a trivial endeavor. Someone has to learn (basic, at least) building, scripting.

• Consortial cooperation is extremely important in designing and building a Second Life project.

16Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Integrating Second Life and Google MapsMalcolm X Across Platforms

A Project of Honors COM 101-160 (Fall 2007)

Instructor: Amani WazwazLibrarians: Troy Swanson and Larry Sloma

17Wednesday, April 23, 2008