virt

project

proposal

Virtual

Worlds

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

introductionVirtual worlds can provide engaging and flexible learning spaces that offer students incredible opportunities to be creative and interact with others.

Whilst a number of different virtual worlds are available for students, creating a private space hosted by ReactionGrid using the OpenSim platform, offers excellent support with exciting possibilities for development.

The private space model will allow the school to develop its own virtual island that can only be accessed by members of the school community.

It is a “blank canvas” that will allow the students, under the guidance of their teachers, to create a variety of objects and areas especially designed for use by our school community.

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

overviewThe school would establish a private space using the OpenSimplatform to be set up and hosted by ReactionGrid.

In order to set up the virtual space, students would be invited to join the project team. The group would meet once a week, ideally during “long lunch”. The group meetings would allow students to explore different methods of creating a 3D virtual world, some of which include:

Creating landscapes, buildings and objects using the“Build “ tools included with the Hippo Viewer.

An introduction to 3D object creation using software such as Plopp and Sculptpaint. Objects can also be programmed to move via Scratch for OpenSim.

Creating clothing items for users’ avatars using Adobe Photoshop.

Creation of objects, buildings and worlds using applications such as Solid Edge, Google SketchUp in conjunction with SketchLife and Unity 3D.

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

goals

To promote creativity and innovation.

To use the space as a means of showcasing student work, giving tasks a real purpose.“I’m creating items for our school’s clothing shop.”

To allow staff and students to interact in a virtual environment, offering a deeper level of interaction that is sometimes not present via traditional face-to-face methods.

For staff to have the opportunity to use an engaging method of curriculum delivery that is flexible enough to use across all curriculum areas.

To encourage staff to make use of the variety of excellent Professional Development opportunities available to them via virtual worlds platforms such as ReactionGrid and the main grid of Second Life.

The goals of the program are:

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

requirementsThe Staff ICT Trainer will facilitate the project team, meeting with them on a weekly basis to plan and oversee the creation of the estate. Initially, this committee is likely to be made up only of students. However, there is already interest from keen staff who will also be invited to attend as they wish. These staff will then be encourage to use estate for learning and teaching activities.

Initially, each member will need to create his/her own avatar and become familiar with the Hippo Viewer.

Members will then be introduced to a variety of building tools and be allocated specific projects to work on. The first projects may include:

A building committee centre to house building resources, eg: building “freebies” collected from other virtual worlds,Building tips and how-to’s

A “newbie” welcome area and help centre

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

requirementsProjects to follow may include:

Mathematics area initially featuring 3D shapes and objects

Science area initially focusing on the study of Chemistry

Places of worship

LOTE café, disco or similar meeting space

Student meeting space sto relax, interact, play games, etc…

The Staff ICT Trainer will liaise with interested staff to train them in the use of virtual world and use in the curriculum.

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

requirements

Software Cost

Hippo Viewer Free

SculptyPaint Free

Plopp Free

Scratch for OpenSim Free

Photoshop School already has licence

Solid Edge School already has licence

Google SketchUp Free

SketchLife Free

Unity 3D Free

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

requirementsRequirement Cost One Off

or Annual

OpenSim Server set up hosted by ReactionGrid

US $110* One off, discounted by

50%

Annual maintenance fee for private space

US $900 Annual

Set up of public area on ReactionGrid

US $25* One off, discounted by

50%

Annual maintenance fee for public space

US $300 Annual

Advanced Avatar Registration Form

US $500* One off, but provided free

Total Cost 1st Year Total Cost Subsequent Years

Approx. AU $1500 Approx. AU $1350

*Discounts apply due to one year advance payment

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

resourcesMovies about Virtual Worlds in Education:

Immersive Learning: It’s Game On!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARf8VMYRQy0

No Future Left Behindhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kra_z9vMnHo

International Society for Technology in Education:ISTE Second Lifehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP137QgYKvQ

Examples of Schools using Virtual Worlds:

“Ramapo Islands”Suffern Middle School, New York,Under the direction of Peggy Sheehyhttp://ramapoislands.edublogs.org/

“Booralie”Northern Beaches Christian School, Sydney,Under the direction of Steve Collishttp://www.happysteve.com/2009/04/practical-examples-of-3d-virtual-environments-for-learning-in-high-school.html

Virtual

Worldsproject proposal

resourcesResources for Educators:

The Islands of Jokaydiahttp://jokaydia.com/

Second Life in Education Bloghttp://www.sl-educationblog.org/

Second Life in Education Wikihttp://sleducation.wikispaces.com/

Second Classroom Ninghttp://secondclassroom.ning.com/

RezEd: The Hub for Virtual Worlds in Educationhttp://www.rezed.org/

Ramapo Islands: Show Me the Learning!http://www.slideshare.net/PeggySheehy/k-online-conference-2008-presentation

Colorado Technology University Presentation on Research in Second Lifehttp://www.slideshare.net/lyrlobo/ctu-presentation-on-research-in-second-life

Learning Principles, James Paul Geehttp://mason.gmu.edu/~lsmithg/jamespaulgee2

virt

“I can’t create

my future with

the tools of

your past.”

No Future Left Behind,

Suffern Middle School,

New York.