Virtual Pioneers Blog

A Return to Virtual Native Lands

2010-05-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we return to Nany Kayo's groundbreaking Virtual Native Lands Sim.

Date: May 23rd

Time: 5pm SL time, 8pm Eastern

Fighting to Keep Up!

2009-08-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

It has been awhile since I have updated this blog. So I thought it was high time to do that. The Virtual Pioneers group has been expanding by leaps and bounds, and it is really exciting to see. There was a time where I had to hunt and beg people to come and present for us. No longer. The contacts that we are making have provided great guest speakers that are dying to come and chat with us.

I can't tell you how gratifying this is. Also, members have really begun stepping up and chipping in by, creating, presenting, and recruiting new members. It certainly has made my life easy and so much fun!

NECC 2009- Washington DC

2009-07-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

Union Station-Washington DC

Well, NECC 09 is over and I thought I would just give a quick blurb about it as it relates to the Virtual Pioneers. For those not familiar NECC is the one of the biggest technology in education conferences. (Is it the biggest?) Well, anyway, I was able to attend because I submitted a proposal to discuss our efforts with the Virtual Pioneers. My proposal was accepted as a poster presentation which, for the first time presenting was perfect. Poster sessions, are made up of a variety of presenters inhabiting a large hall and discussing their ideas, lessons, projects, etc. It is more informal so that attendees can walk around freely and stop and chat, grab some materials, or listen to you give a presentation. You were provided with a table, presentation screen and a poster display.

I really had my hands full with this as many people stopped up and were very curious about our endevours. I brought with me 150 newsletters, and they were all gone by the end of the 2 hour presentation slot. Carrilin Heliosense, helped me in out by being the "Meet the Director" person. We had a laptop set up just so she could demonstrate Second Life and how history Museums can effectively use SL for educational purposes. Special thanks to Carri for taking the time out of her day and helping a geek in need!

My presentation in general, highlighted the genesis of the Virtual Pioneers and then talked about our goals and especially the great things our members have done. Such as:

Serena's Building class
Rhino, Shay, and Reg's Role play
Our costume frolic
Guest speakers: Fannie Starr and Kimmer
Landmark tours and tourguides: The list is so long!

Overall, I think people were tremendously interested and impressed. I would really like to thank all of the Virtual Pioneer members for making this a successful presentation. It is your efforts and creativity that made me look good, and I am so appreciative. I am hoping to push the envelope a little further next year and try for a more formal presentation.

Lastly, I want to tell you about meeting some SL Virtual Pioneers in RL. Wow! As I expected, the people I met were as lively, fun, and engaging, as I assumed you would be. The VSTE gang of Thunder, Mandie, Al, and Jazmemo, were so kind, and boy did they give a great presentation about using SL for professional development. Peggy Sheehy of course was amazing and gave such an inspiring presentation about using the Teen grid and overall, just using technology effectively to benefit our children. DrM Magic, Massimino Ragu, Julie Sugarplum, and Jupiter Martian, were my after hours buddies. They invited me out to a few late night dinners and um... beverages, out on the DC town. I found myself incredibly boring, quiet, and was content to just sit and listen to the great conversation going on around me. Too bad Massimino can't bring his magic show into SL! Then again maybe he can. I toast all of you.

Well that should about do it. It was a memorable conference, and oh so tiring.

Whitield...... out.

Kimmer Jameson-PBS Ei8ht

2009-06-11T10:45:00.001-07:00

Well, we had another first rate presentation on Lighthouse Learning Island. Kimmer Jameson came to the island to talk about the work she did for the PBS Documentary, We Shall Remain. If you haven't seen the episodes yet, its certainly not too late. You can go to : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/weshallremain/ and view each episode online. What a great resource! This series documents the history and struggles of the Native American Indians. Kimmer and the staff at PBS Ei8ht created some fantastic resources that are free to teachers of all grade levels.

Using the program, Simplybox, Kimmer showed us how you can post streaming video, then have a comment segment right next to it. http://simplybox.com/public/?id=51939
This would be a great resource for teachers to keep students attention on mulitmedia by allowing them to comment, and take notes on the same web page. Kimmer also introduced us to the PBS teachers Connect pages that allow teachers to hand pick their own content, as well as collaborate and share. Awesome resource!

Overall, Kimmer's presentation was fantastic. She was able to create a nice balance of information, multimedia, and lecture in a unique and educationally stimulating way. Thanks Kimmer!!

Also, before I forget, we had another first rate, Historical Building 101 Class with Serena Offcourse. Serena is perfectly suited for these classes. She offers just the right amount of content with an above equal measure of patience, which allows all comers to learn and create in a fun and relaxing way. Serena you are a pro!!

A Night at Olana

2009-05-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful extravagant evening!. It began with Serena Offcourse's awesome building 101 session, made all the more interesting with the participants in their Olana costume finery. Serena guided our members into the world of chair making with poses! Genuinely, fun but took some patience to get your pose ball in just the right spot to make a comfy chair.

Then it was off to Olana, where we were greeted by Carrillin Heliosense, RL/ SL Education Director of Olana State Historic Site. Carrilin gave us a wonderful presentation about Olana's founding, and even more fascinating, its founder, Frederick Church's powerful paintings. Safe to say that everyone was captivated by Carri's smooth delivery, adept command of the subject, and slide show displaying Church's phenomenal works.

Aftward, everyone was able to relax, have a Second Life beverage, and tour the magnificent recreation with Carrie as a kind host.

Finally, we got the results of the costume contest in which there was a tie between Julie Sugarplum and Oronoque Westland. Congratulations! Great costumes and great fun had by all.

Thank you Carri and everyone for participating!

Fannie Starr Presentation

2009-05-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

Fanny Starr Holocaust Survivor Lecture IV from GeoMeek on Vimeo.

Wow, what a powerful experience! It was truly an honor to have Fannie come and answer questions from our group.

Fannie's early life was filled with the human horror of the Holocaust, yet through it all, she has endured, and was able to share her story with us in Second Life. Despite the miles and this unique medium, we could see Fannie's kindness and commitment shine through.

Rather than blather on about it, please watch the video that was created by GeoMeek.

Let me just add some special thanks

Thanks first and foremost to Fannie for sharing her story with us

Thanks to:

Explorer Dastardly, (Helen) Fannie's Daughter, for helping and doing all the difficult set up work

Orchid Jameson: The narrator with such a smooth, calm delivery.

Kathy Dryburgh: For everything she does, but in particular for helping us create a comfortable outdoor auditorium at Lighthouse Learning Island.

And all the Virtual Pioneers members that came and helped people find the auditorium get situated with mics and even to take notes! ( You know who you are!!)

And of course, for GeoMeek, our videographer, who I think has the answer to pretty much EVERYTHING!!
What a resource.

VSTE/ Jamestown Settlement Tour

2009-04-03T18:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a nicely organized tour by our friends at VSTE.

We had a very nice overview of VSTE's new island with Alfredo Bedrosian, Jazmemo Zimminy, Thunder Insippo, and Mandie Mimulus.

We began with a presentation by the gang. Each telling us a bit about the island's origins and what the future will hold. What a bright future indeed!!

This group has gone from a virtual space to a full blown teacher hot-spot and history island.

After the overview of VSTE we were given some free-roaming time with our hosts available at each location around the island. Most of us being history buffs (myself included) gravitated to Virginias seminal landmark recreation- The Jamestown Settlement.

I began my exploration by looking at the recreations of the 3 ships that brought the early settlers, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. Here there were various interesting views instructional icons to learn, and places nooks and crannnies to explore. I think toured the recreation of the Jamestown fort that was built to protect these early settlers. Much to see here, including a firing cannon and an interesting recreation of a early church.

Just beyond the fort recreation was a replica Powhatan Village. Here there was a longhouse, a place for an animated dance, and informational tidbits to help understand this fascinating Native Nation and their traditional history.

Lastly, I toured some of the islands teacher center. There is a teacher resource center that hopes to have tons of resources for teachers to expand and collaborate their teaching repertoire.

Wonderful time had by all and a big thanks to our hosts. Please visit VSTE island to see for yourself.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/VSTE%20Island/125/139/24

Wonderful Denmark

2009-03-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

We had a tremendous turnout (Thanks goes to VSTE for their great promos) for our Denmark tour.

Our gracious host, Pach Voom, was a tremendous guide, as well as, a profound source of information for our tour of Denmark.

Pach began by telling us the history of the island. This island is not an actual city in Denmark, rather it is a recreation of a town from a popular Danish Television show called, Matador. The TV series was based on the game, Monopoly. It essentially details life in a typical Danish town between 1929 and 1947. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matador_(TV_series).

We began our tour at a main town center with tables and a place to get a free bike to tour. Pach told us that most people travel by bike due to the heavy taxes places on automobile use. The Danish, speak DANISH and not Dutch as many commonly believe. They have very few natural resources with the exception of some oil resources. Also, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. (a little known fact)
Pach spent several minutes talking about the Danish education system which has a great deal of contrast to our American system. He told us that education from young to old is "free" in Denmark, including Colleges and universities. He mentioned that there is actually a system where many students get paid to attend colleges and universities by the government. He conveyed the Danish idea that "welfare" by Danish definition is a philosophy based around education rather than handouts.
He did discuss some of the drawbacks of the system, which were high taxation, and a very high dropout rate of males.

Also, mentioned briefly, was the concept behind the Danish health care system that is also socialized with "free" health care for all.

Although I had to step aside for a minute of the tour, Pach did relate the history of Denmark with their Viking and Medieval past of rugged seamen and explorers, to their medieval feudal system aligned with other European systems.

We then visited a church and were told that Denmark has a nationally sanctioned church. This is the Lutheran Church. Citizens are voluntarily taxed to support the church. Many churches are located close together to allow residents a common location and some security through close communication.

Lastly, we stopped at the harbor to discuss a main staple of Danish economy, the Fishing industry. Danes may come to the docks daily to collect fresh seafood right from the fishermen themselves, tax-free!

This was a fascinating tour and Pach was a very informative host and welcomed all of us back and offered friendship to all.

We were then given time to explore some of the other aspects of Scandinavia from Norway, to Swedend, and Finland.

I made it to Norway, but stopped there, as it was getting late and so many of us were overwhelmed by the great sights and facts from the tour.

This was a wonderful evening filled with facts and interesting information about the culture and history of Denmark.

Big thanks goes out to Serena for setting this up for us. She is an invaluable member of the group!!

Thanks Serena.

Spiff

Virtual Ability Island

2009-03-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Our latest meeting was a tremendously successful one. We were given an inside tour of Virtual Ability Island. While this is not a history based island, it was very beneficial to educators of all stripes. This island was created primarily to assist those with disabilities. Using research based concepts and strategies this island provides assistance to help orient people to Second Life. While this was ideally suited for those with disabilities, I found it certainly an excellent place to begin for any Second Life "newbie". The easy to read signage and interactive simulations were creative and interesting to say the least. Also, it was very easy to navigate. For those who have friends that are interested in Second Life, I would highly recommend that you guide them to this island as their starting destination. (Second life now give you a choice of starting points)

Many thanks go to Oronoque Westland for setting this up and for our gracious hosts Gentle Heron and Eme Capalini. Very informative!!

World War II (A-Bomb) Role Play Event

2009-02-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

Wow,

What a fantastic experience our first ever Role Play was. Reg, Rhino, and Shay put together a very interesting presentation for our group. With the exception of one glitch caused by SL's voice chat feature, this meeting was a smashing success.

The meeting began with group members choosing a role, then clicking on a box that gave the participant a notecard with information about their role and an outfit that corresponded with their role.

Then Reg, the moderator, directed the group to the table and the discussion began. The topic revolved around the idea of creating an Atomic Bomb museum and what each member thought the museum's focus should be. With the various roles from military leaders, teachers, scientists, survivors, and parents, the perspectives were wide ranging, which led to an in depth examination of this epic event.

From my own perspective as an observer, I learned quite a few new things, such as the names of the scientists involved in this project, Eisenhowers views portrayed by Rhino, and a few new wrinkles to the moral dilemma of these destructive weapons.

Perhaps, most of all, I could really see how this would benefit a classroom of students both using virtual worlds or in the real world. This activity allows the students to take on a viewpoint and find out how to defend their perspective, whether they agree with it or not. In SL or in another MUVE the possibility of having the person playing the role actually look and dress the part is an easy, creative, and fun way for the students to express themselves and accuarately portray the time period.

I would really like to see this in the Teen grid in some way. I know Maggie Marat/ Peggy Sheehy has done some courtroom dramas in her class that looked very powerful.

It was just such a great experience for one and all. I think I speak for the group when I say, thanks to Reg, Rhino, and Shay for their hard work bringing this idea to the forefront.

Thanks also to the participants that boldly stepped forward and played your roles to their fullest. There were so many others that were behind the scenes, so at the risk of leaving someone out, I will leave the guys to issue their thanks.

Super idea and great meeting!

Please see our NING site for more photos!

http://virtualpioneers.ning.com

January 4th First Meeting of the Year

2009-01-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well our first meeting was very well attended. We had many new members come along and relate help start the new year off right.

The agenda was a simple one. Lets talk about what we can do to make the Virtual Pioneers better! With that in mind we gathered at the magic table on the lower floor near.

As you can see from the image, we had roughly 20 avatars attend with some coming and going. We began the meeting with introductions. An idea by Serena Offcourse! The introductions were a nice way to learn about new members and make them feel welcome. Also it offered our other members a chance to let everyone know a little more about them. I thought the intros were a smashing success with the only problem of microphone/ sound issues causing some delay. Once the introductions were over we went about our business of talking about how we can improve VP's and what our members are willing to share.

Without going into details that are posted on our VP ning site (http://virtualpioneers.ning.com) suffice it to say we have several tours and presentation ideas lined up. We will be having our meeting at ISTE to see a presentation by a Holocaust Survivor that endured the horrors of Auschwitz. Then we have Reg, Rhino, and Shay's World War II role-play that is almost developed to run. Look out for details coming soon. They have been working really hard at making this VP "First" a great success. I really appreciate all of their efforts and am looking forward to the final product. Serena, had a great idea of having a VP building 101 class before each meeting. The ideas then came fast and furious. Oronoque plans on leading a tour, with more details to come.

It turned into a really nice discussion with new ideas and positive feedback generated.

Looking forward to an awesome New Year!

Spiff

My New Year's Resolution

2009-01-09T07:18:00.001-08:00

This year, I thought it would be a good time to start a Virtual Pioneer blog, to record my observations from the year's meetings.

This first entry is just to get myself started in the process.

My next entry will deal with generating my thoughts on our last meeting.