Second Life Part III: Social Interactions

Thus far in my exploration of Second Life (SL), I have found that the social interactions I have had with others (once I found my way to locations where we weren’t all brand new to SL) have been the most helpful in locating educational areas of SL. I have learned about and joined a couple of educators groups within SL that communicate together via SL to share how they are using or could use SL in their teaching. I visited Angel Island during the workday and spoke with an educator:

[10:25] MacGregor McGuire: I'm from Sinclair Community College
[10:26] You: I'm from Syracuse University
[10:26] MacGregor McGuire: Go Orange!
[10:26] MacGregor McGuire: Have you been in sl much?
[10:26] You: not too much, I'm still exploring and trying to figure out what possibilities it has
[10:27] MacGregor McGuire: We are doing the same...about to put together workshops to introduce faculty and see what Ideas they have

[10:27] MacGregor McGuire: Did you attend the ANGEL useer's conference
[10:27] You: no I didn't
[10:28] You: I found this location the other day, but am just getting back to check it out now
[10:28] MacGregor McGuire: There was a good session there on why they did this and from an English instructor at Ball State who is using it
[10:29] You: That would have been a good session to attend
[10:29] You: I'm hoping to find a session or something that will provide me with a better understanding of the power SL has in ed
[10:30] MacGregor McGuire: Have you joined ISTE in sl...they have many session
[10:30] You: no, but I will, thanks
[10:31] MacGregor McGuire: my pleasure...good luck on your searches
[10:31] You: thanks
[10:31] MacGregor McGuire: I think I have a landmark to the ISTE location
[10:32] MacGregor McGuire gave you ISTE (The International Society , Eduisland (30, 223, 28).
[10:32] You: Great, thank you.
[10:32] MacGregor McGuire: Your welcome...have fun
[10:32] MacGregor McGuire: see you around
[10:33] You: okay, enjoy

While this exchange did not provide me with ground breaking information, it did provide me with a new experience within SL at ISTE, that of meeting a docent, whose purpose is to provide assistance and information about the island:

[10:57] theusual Shackle: hi Krizten
[10:57] theusual Shackle: Welcome to ISTE!
[10:57] You: Hi theusual
[10:57] You: Thank you.
[10:58] theusual Shackle: Is this your first time at iste?
[10:58] You: yes, I just learned of it today, and was provided a link here today
[10:59] theusual Shackle: Outstanding, I'm the docent here at the moment, so if you have any questions I can show you around
[11:00] You: Great, unfortunately I don't really have time to explore right now, but I will be back another time.
[11:00] theusual Shackle: In addition to this building we also have a whole new island as well
[11:00] theusual Shackle: would you like to join the iste group to receive announcements and information
[11:00] You: yes, I would
[11:01] theusual Shackle: did you receive the invite?
[11:01] You: yes, thank you, I have accepted.
[11:02] theusual Shackle: There are quite a few events for eductors, and the new island adds quite a bit to iste's presense
[11:03] You: I'm looking forward to attending events and learning more about both iste and sl
[11:04] You: Thank you for you time, and the invitation to join the group. I have to get going.
[11:04] theusual Shackle: Alright, it was great to meet you
[11:04] You: nice to meet you too. take care.

I wish I had had more time to take this opportunity to speak with a real live person about their island that day, because the next time I returned, there was no docent available. As I reflect on the social experience and opportunity I was not able to take advantage of that day, I also realize that I don’t know what I would have asked other than what their event schedule was, and perhaps what events they recommended attending…still searching for an opportunity to participate in some educational event that will show me the true educational potential of SL ...