Foreign Language Classes

Here are some pics of Mr. Tepper's Spanish class project. The kids each created a display for a traditional Spanish celebration - Sweet 15, Day of the Dead, Feast of Three Kings and others. Then they invited the high school Spanish classes to join in a day of virtual celebrations where each student presented the cultural background of the celebrations and how they chose to depict it. Later there was music dancing and burritos and chips and salsa!

Last Day of American Revolution in SL

Liza Medina concluded a fant astic project today and the kids were set loose for a celebration at teh end of the period. Below are some pics just for fun but check back soon for examples sof student work and the teacher's reflection!

Medina's American Revolution Project

Liza Medina has designed a project investigating characterization using historical fiction with the central theme of the American Revolution. Students were experimenting today with different looks - and some discovered our colonists outfits!!! Wrong century! Her lesson plan and accounts will folllow but had to get these pics up to brighten your day!

Foreign Language Island

OMG! Poinkey's Pods!/Ramapo Teachers Rock

Let me tell ya - Decka has done it again! Her latest and greatest teaching tool, "POINKEY'S PODS" are transforming learning on Ramapo! Here's how they work:
Like Decka's Decks, they are enabled by the facilitator and are used to accommodate discussion, only this time, rather than supporting 5-7 avatars the pods are designed to accommodate 1 to 1 discussion and --- here's the clincher---- they are timed so that after a set amount of minutes the chairs reset themselves into a new pod with a new avatar automatically. Kind of like "speed dating!" LOL!


NEWS ALERT!!!! As I was writing this post (SNOW DAY GUILT----MUST DO WORK! :-) What happens to arrive in my inbox - but a complete write up of the experience from Gayle Yodowitz -. This has inspired me to rename this post - from "POINKEY's PODS ROCK" to "RAMAPO TEACHERS ROCK" I will writie more later about the technology - but let's look at what is really important-- THE LEARNING! Here it is (yes - Ramapo teachers are amazing!)


LEARNING HOW TO MAP THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS IN SL
Gayle Yodowitz, FACS educator
Darby Wind, SL Avatar on Ramapo Islands
While middle level students are too young to choose a career, it is a great time for them to begin exploring careers. Career planning is a lifelong process, with self-knowledge being the beginning of the journey. The Family and Consumer Science curriculum for 8th graders at Suffern Middle School consists of Career Exploration and Financial Literacy. The career exploration unit addresses three questions: Who am I? Where am I going? and How do I get there? The first question involves many self-assessments taken by students from a variety of sources that help them identify aptitudes and particular aspects of their personality. The assessments generate lists of potential careers. Many students are surprised to see some of the jobs on their list. However, when they compare and contrast their personality characteristics with the responsibilities of the listed jobs, they begin to see that although the jobs may be worlds apart, the types of people geared for each job share similar interests and characteristics. A quote I like to discuss with the students is “Do what you love and love what you do.” and how they have the ability to find a career that makes them happy, successful and financially supports their lifestyle.
At this point, the students select a career they would like to learn more about. This is just some basic research- job responsibilities, advantages, stressors, related jobs and job outlook for the future. We discuss how technology might impact their career in the future. The students also research a college or vocational school that will provide them the education needed for their researched career using an online post secondary search website. Embedded in this search are understandings about admissions expectations, expenses and ways to finance their education. Lastly, I have the students examine the high school curriculum book to become familiar with, not just the required courses for graduation, but also all of the electives available. If students have an interest in engineering, film directing, sports broadcasting, writing or being the next top chef, they should know what electives might be offered that could give them a snapshot of a career in that area. Students also check out the high school activities book to see what clubs or sports they can join.
Okay, so here is where SL comes in! As part of their assessment, students (avatars) play the role of interviewer and interviewee “in world”. Before the interviews take place, students spend the first week in SL developing the following skills: changing their avatar’s appearance (be unique but appropriate- like in the real world), be able to navigate around the islands by flying, walking and TPing, join the Group, make friends, communicate in world (via instant message (no problem Ms. Y!), chat and creating a note card), using the camera to take a snapshot of themselves and uploading it to their profile.
Now, they are ready to be interviewed about what they learned through class activities and research. Students have learned about Costa’s Levels of Questioning and have developed interview questions for all three levels. I have taken their questions and put them on a note card that is sent to the Group to be used during the interviews. While developing these skills in the virtual world, students must work on being good listeners so they can follow directions, use their critical thinking skills to troubleshoot and solve problems and work in a collaborative atmosphere.
Chaser Brody, my SL guru and mentor, offers me the opportunity to use these awesome pods that allow avatars to interview each other in pairs. Every five minutes the pairs automatically swap to new avatars. Being one who thrives on cutting edge opportunities, I accept!



Chaser facilitates Poinky’s Pods with my class of avatars- and they’re off into space to complete their assessment…in their favorite mode of conversation- Instant message style! Before the class ends, students create a new note card (naming it with their class period and real first name); copy and paste the “IM interviews” into the note card and drop it in my inventory. Now, using a rubric, I will grade their work based on two roles- the interviewer and the person being interviewed. As a result of this process, students have had to take what they have learned and share that knowledge with others. They have had to “think on their feet”- not knowing what questions they will be asked, but being able to address each question because they prepared for the interview by creating the questions and practicing interview techniques. Using Costa’s Levels of Questioning challenges students in higher level thinking skills.
As an aside, there were some glitches. The pods in one class initially went up, leaving some avatars without an interview partner. Someone, by accident, stepped on a power cord and turned off an entire row of computers. Two students were off task. However, just like in the real world, we addressed each issue, resolved it, learned from it and moved on.
Wait a minute! Isn’t everything the students accomplished and learned considered transferable skills for the future? You bet they are! A recent survey of business leaders identified the top qualities that employers look for in potential employees are- communication skills, a capacity to learn, critical thinking skills and ability to work with others. Didn’t this project enable students to learn how to map their way to success using 21st century literacy skills? Absolutely! I hope they think of me and Chaser someday when they are in SL being interviewed by a college admissions person or at a global conference representing the company they work for!

(Students will soon be writing their reflection about the career project. Then, they will start their entrepreneur project in SL. I can’t wait- and neither can they!)

Peggy's note: Reflections will be posted ASAP and photos are coming as soon as we get back into school!

With gratitude and promise...

Ramapo Islands was a dream that started as just a "tip of a thought" when my daughter, Meghan, hounded me to enter Second Life to take a look around. After all, she was a Linden Lab Liaison at the time - and she was so excited about this emerging Metaverse. I thought I had no time for a "Second Life" but succumbed, and seeing this new frontier through the eyes of a teacher - I was startled, and intrigued. After a very short time, I became determined to bring my students in world to be a part of it.

However, all of the determination in the universe was not going to make this happen without the support of a visionary administration, a community of believers in world, a solid staff of volunteers, and ultimately, a teacher who said yes. My teachers did say yes. Some said it tentatively; "I don't understand it, but I believe it is important for my students," while others were eager and excited; “I don't care how deep the water is--I know how to swim!"

It was never going to happen without the help of people like Fred Fuchs of Firesabre Consulting who spearheaded the volunteer effort, and Barry Joseph of Global Kids, ushering the way - sharing hope and experience... All of you who wrote, or visited, or spoke to me at a conference and cheered us on -- All of you who spread the word, and most importantly all of you who followed soon after - validating the work and extending the horizon. All of you share this award.

When I first began my "crusade", shamelessly soliciting your help and your talent and energy, I used the worn out adage, "It takes a village." I am a dreamer - a visionary if you will--but first and foremost, I am a teacher. So perhaps the old adage is still true, and those who object to its overuse may perhaps digest its latest incarnation a bit more easily. With that, I respectfully submit, "It takes a Metaverse."

Thanks KJ!

Kevin Jarrett passed along this great tool for putting together a quick video --This one is to get some of the 8th grade kids interested in the Tech Club! ANIMOTO is an awesome tool! Perfect for 'puter phobics!

Whoot!

A picture says a thousand words?

Is that an inappropriate sentiment for a blog ?!?!!?

Thanks to all who are with me along the way.

What an exciting time to be an educator! VOTE HERE!

Catch-Up

An Entrepreneur is Born...

OK - I am logged into Ramapo trying my hand at Flexi PRIMS - working quietly over on Airmont Island and I get this IM:

[13:19] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Hi ms Shehe! Im making a fortune! I made 30 L by making products! I put a jetpack script in two slippers!
[13:20] Chaser Brody: WHOOT! THAT'S TERRIFIC!
[13:20] Chaser Brody: come and show me OK? May I TP you?
[13:20] Bokontor SMSTrekker: one sec, Im in the middle of a sale right now!
[13:20] Chaser Brody: LOL OK
[13:24] Bokontor SMSTrekker: ok, im done
[13:24] Bokontor SMSTrekker: can you tp me?
[13:24] Chaser Brody: Ready for a tp?
[13:24] Bokontor SMSTrekker: yup
[13:25] Chaser Brody: May I take a pic for the blog?
[13:25] Bokontor SMSTrekker: ok
(Bokontor then passes me a free pair of the slippers!)
[13:26] Chaser Brody: Wow! thank you - I will still pay you!
[13:26] Bokontor SMSTrekker: thank you so much!\
[13:27] Bokontor SMSTrekker: I made more things!
[13:27] Bokontor SMSTrekker: want to see them?
[13:27] Bokontor SMSTrekker: ok
[13:27] Chaser Brody: So - How did you get people to know about your product?
[13:28] Bokontor SMSTrekker: It was pretty easy, I just found and avatar, and offered!
[13:29] Chaser Brody: Was there anyone who tried to negotiate a lower price?
[13:30] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Well, yes, I did have someone have 5L$ instead of my normal price, 10L$, so I didnt refuse! 5L$ is better than nothing right?
[13:30] Chaser Brody: that's right
[13:30] Chaser Brody: it is a good beginning
[13:30] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Yeah
[13:30] Chaser Brody: Now what are your plans for the future?
[13:31] Bokontor SMSTrekker: I plan to know about more scripts, and keep creating things, better and better!
[13:31] Bokontor SMSTrekker: But I am not working alone!
[13:32] Chaser Brody: Tell me about it please..
[13:32] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Zelian SMSVoyager, came up with all of the ideas
[13:32] Chaser Brody: Ahhh so you are collaborating?
[13:32] Bokontor SMSTrekker: I make and sell them
[13:32] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Yes!
[13:32] Chaser Brody: Very cool
[13:33] Chaser Brody: Well keep up the great work and let me know about any other creations you have for sale
[13:33] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Oh, I have pleanty for sale right now!
[13:33] Bokontor SMSTrekker: and thank you!
[13:33] Chaser Brody: Remember to keep them original and perhaps you may want to open a small shop and advertise
[13:34] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Good idea! I will work towards that!
[13:34] Chaser Brody: remember you can make a sign on the Ramapo Work and Play Area that will TP residents to your shop in the air!
[13:34] Chaser Brody: Think of a good name and a slogan
[13:34] Bokontor SMSTrekker: that is awesome! thank you!
[13:34] Chaser Brody: Your welcome
[13:35] Chaser Brody: Have fun!
[13:35] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Hmmmm.....I'll get on the slogan! I have a name already
[13:35] Chaser Brody: Want to share ?
[13:35] Chaser Brody: What is the name?
[13:35] Bokontor SMSTrekker: The name is (G-H) The letters stand for our last names
[13:36] Chaser Brody: OK
[13:36] Chaser Brody: So think of a catchy slogan - look at successful marketing in the real world
[13:36] Chaser Brody: NIKE = "Just Do IT" etc.
[13:36] Chaser Brody: I will post this in the blog now
[13:36] Bokontor SMSTrekker: Ok! Thank you for your support!
[13:36] Chaser Brody: People will get a real kick out of it
[13:37] Chaser Brody: and by the time you are ready for the Main Grid you will be an established business!
[13:37] Chaser Brody: Bye now! I'm back to trying to make this flag flexi
[13:38] Bokontor SMSTrekker: ok bye!


How cool is this? I got Bokontor to come over to me for a photo opportunity :

So Many Avatars--So Little Time...

I really do try to resist those corny titles in this blog but they seem to just slip right off my fingertips ...perhaps this may seem a poor excuse for neglecting to keep up here - but it is none-the-less true. At this point we have about 800 active student accounts and about thirty teacher accounts working on Ramapo Islands (not simultaneously --but I feel the ultimate band-with test may be right around the corner!) So, rather than sending readers back a year to the archives all the time - this second year anniversary may be a good time to try to encapsulate the history of this project - You see, I receive inquiries bout the inception of Ramapo Islands almost daily as educators begin their journey and seek advice and answers. I read on the SLED list this morning (To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/educators ) that a FAQ concerning Education in Second Life is emerging on the SimTeach WIKI (http://simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Life:_Guidelines_for_Educators ) and we are looking to include a portion specific to the Teen Grid - as that hurdle seems to be the ultimate "catch 22" for educators ( they want to explore Teen Grid- but can't get on Teen Grid ----want to Teach on teen Grid - can't explore Teen Grid -- want to promote work on Teen Grid - can't access Teen Grid to demo )

While we are waiting for that resource to develop - though - let me provide a brief time-line entry to sum up our history:

1. August 7, 2005: After being bugged incessantly by daughter, Meghan Deanna who was then a Linden Lab liaison, Peggy Sheehy creates Main Grid account; Maggie Marat--- yes, I succumbed to almost her full year of "Mom- you have got to see this!"

October 8&9,2005:Peggy Sheehy attended the 1st Annual Second Life Community Convention which took place on October 8th and 9th in 2005, happening in tandem with the State of Play III conference at the New York Law School in New York City. Over 150 residents, Linden Lab employees and other industry professionals attended the conference, packing the room. Linden Lab CEO Philip Rosedale gave the keynote address dressed as his Second Life avatar.

2. November 2005: First of many drafts of my proposal to Ramapo Central School District for purchase of 3 islands on Teen Grid is developed and submitted to James Yap (head of instructional technology and data management for the district) who proved to be an incredibly knowledgeable and patient mentor!

3. May, 2006: Proposal presented to Dr. MacNaughton and explanations and investigations ensue. Safety issues are paramount as well as demonstration of educational validity.

4. June, 2006: Proposal is passed, Ramapo Islands are purchased and named Ramapo, Suffern, and Rockland.

5. August 2006: SLCC moved to the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, home of Linden Lab: the creators of Second Life. The event was held on August 18th, 19th and 20th and sold out with 500 residents, Linden Lab employees and other industry professionals.
At this convention, Peggy Sheehy shamelessly begged all avatars to help "raise this schoolhouse" The amazing thing is that not only did the persons she approached agree to contribute their time and energy, but others who heard about the project all stepped up and offered their assistance. The demonstration of good will, vision. and the overwhelming sense of community was astounding.

6. August - October 2006: Islands are moved from Main Grid over to Teen Grid with the invaluable assistance of FireSabre Consulting and some tireless Linden Lab folks!

7. September 2006: Enter the Peer Mentor group and training begins effortlessly - the excitement bubbles through the school - Live accounts are numbered at about 35. they are building and scripting in no time!
8. October 15th - first classes at Suffern Middle School enter Second Life. Social Studies, Math and Family and Consumer Science are first content areas to enter and work.

the rest is history ...

One of the more interesting examples...

I am posting this chat example from this year's body image unit - as I promised to share the real deal and this represents where a chat could go, an how being VERY clear about rules and expectations seemed to keep it cool! The kids are taking care of business, and have begun to establish their sense of community in world wile discussing very real issues-peritinent to their lives. Toward the end of hte chat a very interesting turn of events transpires where the kids are actually "laying down the law" themselves -- pretty cool - Here's the chat:
I THINK THAT TEENS SHOULD LEARN TO LOVE THEIR BODIES AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE WAAY THAT THEY LOOK.
[9:33] Natascha SMSJourneyer: can i do the questions
[9:33] Siva SMSJourneyer: I'm seeimg to top of the pod!!!
[9:34] Disa SMSJourneyer: 1. i think weve to learned to accept our selvess!
[9:34] You: whats the main message that you learned about body image throught SL
[9:34] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: YES I AR=GREE DISA
[9:34] Disa SMSJourneyer: 2. because of magazines and technology...
[9:34] Natascha SMSJourneyer: um that you can look the way you want if you want that way but its wut u want
[9:34] Siva SMSJourneyer: right
[9:34] Granada SMSJourneyer: yea
[9:34] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: i think you cN WORK TO GET THE body the way u want it but noooooo anorexia
[9:34] Disa SMSJourneyer: 3.yeah i think girls feeel peer presure...
[9:34] You: yup
[9:34] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: ppl might make themselves look like wut theyre not
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: y3@h
[9:35] Disa SMSJourneyer: 4.idk
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: l0lzzz
[9:35] Siva SMSJourneyer: Same you don't need to look like everyone else
[9:35] Disa SMSJourneyer: 5.ummm
[9:35] You: next question
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: y3@h
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: everynes pretty
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: no matter how you loook
[9:35] Disa SMSJourneyer: 6.it was different because it wasnt aquward
[9:35] Siva SMSJourneyer: nobody's perfect
[9:35] You: what can teens do to deal with the pressures they get to be perfect
[9:35] Natascha SMSJourneyer: i agree with colleen
[9:35] You: ??
[9:35] Siva SMSJourneyer: lol M
[9:35] Disa SMSJourneyer: :)
[9:35] Siva SMSJourneyer: HM
[9:36] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: yes just because celebs look skinny does not mean u need to learn that everyone is pretty in their very own way
[9:36] Natascha SMSJourneyer: even if my head was shapped like a cohn id still be atractivee
[9:36] You: yaa
[9:36] Granada SMSJourneyer: yea i agree
[9:36] Disa SMSJourneyer: whos siva?
[9:36] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: sure. idk
[9:36] Siva SMSJourneyer: Megan
[9:36] Disa SMSJourneyer: oh hii
[9:36] You: teens should just b who they r and not wut the media says they should b
[9:36] Disa SMSJourneyer: loolllll:)
[9:36] Siva SMSJourneyer: hii
[9:36] Natascha SMSJourneyer: yeahh man
[9:36] Natascha SMSJourneyer: true dat
[9:36] Disa SMSJourneyer: hahaa
[9:36] You: whos natascha
[9:37] Natascha SMSJourneyer: nicole lo
[9:37] You: lol
[9:37] Siva SMSJourneyer: Next QUESTION!!
[9:37] You: ok gosh
[9:37] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: i think that the girrls have more prrreesss
[9:37] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: a
[9:37] You: do u think that only girls feel the pressure or do boyss do to
[9:37] You: ??
[9:37] Granada SMSJourneyer: yea sure
[9:37] Siva SMSJourneyer: Both! Girls want to be pretty and Boyz like... buff
[9:37] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: botu
[9:37] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: GIRLS FOR DEF.
[9:37] Natascha SMSJourneyer: bothhh
[9:37] You: bothh
[9:37] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: both*
[9:37] Disa SMSJourneyer: :)
[9:38] Natascha SMSJourneyer: y3@h lolzzzz
[9:38] Siva SMSJourneyer: botthhh guy wanna be all muscular and stuff
[9:38] You: b/c grls wanna b pretty and guys wanna b muscula
[9:38] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: yeah
[9:38] Siva SMSJourneyer: yeah
[9:38] Disa SMSJourneyer: yeppp
[9:38] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: but they can achieve that if they belive~
[9:38] Siva SMSJourneyer: NEXT
[9:38] Natascha SMSJourneyer: i D0n+ r3Ad m@g@zin3zzzzz
[9:38] Granada SMSJourneyer: nicole ure fat and pregnent
[9:38] Granada SMSJourneyer: hahahhaha
[9:38] Disa SMSJourneyer: haha
[9:39] Siva SMSJourneyer: lol ummm what were we just talking about
[9:39] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: THATS NOT NICE TO SAY
[9:39] You: what role do peer groups play with this issue
[9:39] You: ?
[9:39] Liz Lowe: hi yellow
[9:39] Natascha SMSJourneyer: WHOS GRANADA
[9:39] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: thats very very hurtful
[9:39] Liz Lowe: Thanks Kira
[9:39] Siva SMSJourneyer: QUESTION PEOPLE
[9:39] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: she said it already
[9:39] Liz Lowe: I missed it. What's hurtful?
[9:39] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: sam was joking around i tyhink
[9:39] You: WHAT ROLE DO PEER GROUPS PLAY WITH EHIS ISSUE??
[9:39] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: tHat u can be whatever u want to bee
[9:39] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: think*
[9:39] Siva SMSJourneyer: Somone said nichole was fat and preg
[9:39] You: !!!?!?
[9:39] Natascha SMSJourneyer: :(
[9:39] Natascha SMSJourneyer: wah
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: wahhhh
[9:40] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: now thats not nice
[9:40] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: we're trying ro do the questions
[9:40] Siva SMSJourneyer: Ok ANYWAYYYYY
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: you lowered my self esteem
[9:40] You: seriously lets just get them done
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: now im gonna have to go on a diet
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: ight lets do this
[9:40] Liz Lowe: Tht is saved in your chat. That is when people get permenantly removed form SL
[9:40] Siva SMSJourneyer: Yeah so no Bullying
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: ok
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: sam
[9:40] Natascha SMSJourneyer: lol
[9:40] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: hts why we're trying to do the questions
[9:41] Liz Lowe: good idea
[9:41] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: bullying is not nice and it hurts ppls self esteem
[9:41] Natascha SMSJourneyer: yeah
[9:41] You: what has this unit taught u about the media
[9:41] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: thts th next question
[9:41] Siva SMSJourneyer: OK QUESTION 4
[9:41] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: now back to the qs
[9:41] Disa SMSJourneyer: idk the question
[9:41] Granada SMSJourneyer is Offline
[9:41] Liz Lowe: especially when we're working on a project that is supposed to promote body image
[9:41] You: omg guys seriously
[9:41] Liz Lowe: OK, back to the questions
[9:41] Liz Lowe: brb
[9:41] Disa SMSJourneyer: ok
[9:41] Natascha SMSJourneyer: 4) what role do peer proups play with this issue ???????
[9:42] Natascha SMSJourneyer: answer it
[9:42] Siva SMSJourneyer: The unit has taught me that body image is not everything and you should be happy the way uyou are
[9:42] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: they make people do things they dont rly want to do
[9:42] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: friends help u reach your goals and boost up your self esteem
[9:42] Natascha SMSJourneyer: truee datttt
[9:42] Disa SMSJourneyer: yeahhhh lol
[9:42] Siva SMSJourneyer: oh woops yeah tru
[9:42] Natascha SMSJourneyer: but why do people followthe things in the magaziness
[9:42] You: because of the media.. our generation is very unhelthy ( question 5)
[9:42] Siva SMSJourneyer: Beacause thatt's pretty quote
[9:42] Disa SMSJourneyer: okk questin
[9:43] Disa SMSJourneyer: 6
[9:43] Granada SMSJourneyer is Online
[9:43] Disa SMSJourneyer: it was different because um...we werent shyyy?
[9:43] Natascha SMSJourneyer: um i dont think everyone likes each other in a clasrooom so you try to be somehting your not
[9:43] Siva SMSJourneyer: It's better because like you don't see the people you see the avatars
[9:43] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: i think it was different bcos we rnt actually looking at the person
[9:43] Natascha SMSJourneyer: but when you can be whoever you are
[9:43] Natascha SMSJourneyer: your comfortable
[9:43] Siva SMSJourneyer: I mean what I'm wearing 2day is pretty crazy
[9:43] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: was yur interaction with eachother different in SL then it would've been in a regular classroom
[9:44] Granada SMSJourneyer: im bak
[9:44] You: its easier to tlk to ppl in SL
[9:44] Disa SMSJourneyer: yeahhhhh
[9:44] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: yup
[9:44] Granada SMSJourneyer: yea sure
[9:44] Sternberga SMSJourneyer: true
[9:44] Kobolda SMSJourneyer: its the same thing as online
[9:44] Siva SMSJourneyer: exactly you're not afraid to say anything
[9:44] Natascha SMSJourneyer: deff
[9:44] Siva SMSJourneyer: yeah so... we done

Need More EVIDENCE ? ? ?

If you are having your doubts about the level of engagement and investment our students experience while working in SL check out this chat:
[10:40] You: ARe you home?
[10:40] Atami SMSJourneyer: yeah i stayed home sick today
[10:41] Atami SMSJourneyer: wat time does 8th period start
[10:41] You: How cool is it that you're able to attend class form home?!
[10:41] You: Are you feeling better?
[10:41] You: We start in 10 minutes
[10:41] Atami SMSJourneyer: a little. i will b in skool 2morrow, though
[10:42] Atami SMSJourneyer: ok, i'll come back cuz i was working on my house
[10:43] You: Right. Thanks for coming to SL today!
[10:43] Atami SMSJourneyer: ur welcome
[10:43] You: I'll be back in about 5 minutes. Do you remember your pod from yesterday?
[10:43] Atami SMSJourneyer: i g2g work on my house. i'll b back 4 class
[10:43] Atami SMSJourneyer: i'm on blue
[10:43] Atami SMSJourneyer: i remember

HOLY PRIMS BATMAN!

OK OK - I know I brag about these kids a lot--but thise is what one of my students (ehehem--a GIRL) did last night from home:





Today the kids in Whiting's classes were pretty amazing - they have managed to change their appearance pretty authentically, create and deliver a note-card, join a group, all the while whale riding and driving all over the sims! There was a lot of peer mentoring and collaboration but most of it took place in the real world - not in SL. They still don't have the "in world communication only" thing down yet. Many of the students told me they have logged in from home (a lot more than last year) and as I mentioned earlier in the past, most of them have already experimented with the building tools. My hunch is that this year's class had a much greater senses of anticipation since they watched the 8th grade class last year and drooled....

First day chaos~

OK - Thursday we gave the kids their accounts, assigned a few minor "housekeeping " tasks for them and - what eles but the grid was down for updates! I heard one frustrated student exclaim "Well, I hate Second Life already!" I explained the nature of the grid to them, the frequent updates, and the reasons for them. We watched some very cool machinima - and they left.

Regardless of the fact that I remember going through similar days last year - it was very distressing for me to watch the kids lose their sense of excitement and anticipation - but, nonetheless I started out today with a positive outlook - and we began again.

This time , they all logged in successfully and this year the kids seemed to grasp the basics in half the time that it took the kids last year! Within ten minutes I had kids who were changing textures on clothing, using gestures and animations - and the best part of the day was when the same student who complained that he "hated Second Life" yesterday - was actually building and had changed his avatar completely! I asked him how he knew so many things and he said - "Oh, last night I logged in from home and figured it all out" Now he is a peer mentor and one of SLs biggest fans! Another bright spot was when one of our students who was absent today logged in from home - the evidence is already emerging; they just want to be there ----All four classes today wer full of laughter and a sense of wonder - loud for sure, and Diane and I just toured the desktops in awe --Build it, and they will learn.

Monday we begin the project and all they know about it so far is that they will need to have the skills to alter their avatar's appearance. Hehehe - wait till they get going -

The skills they will be asked to apply on Monday:

• joining a group,
  
• creating a note-card and delivering it to the teacher's inventory,
  
• taking and saving a snapshot,
  
• managing their inventory
• changing their appearance
  

All this will happen while they begin their exploration of "body image" and self-worth". From wat I witnessed today in terms of exploration and participation - we are on our way.

Whiting First at Bat!

Our health teacher, Diane Whiting, was first in line this year to return to teaching in Second Life. She has her students for 10 week semesters and is anxious to revisit her experience with the Body Image Unit. We briefly discussed last year's experience and what perhaps we would approach differently this year. One thing that is a bit different is that the student accounts are completely unique this year. Although they will all share one of three new last names, SMSJourneyer, they will have Second Life first names generated from a list of the minor planets. This led to some lengthy but quite interesting names! As a result of this method of generating names, the students will have a greater semblance of anonymity as their teacher and I will have access to their real life identity but it will be totally up to the individual student if and when they will or will not choose to disclose their real life identity. If you have been following the blog, you will remember that last year all of the students shared the last name of Hillburn, and their real life last name became their second life first name. For this reason it was often easy to recognize an avatar in world by their name (assuming you knew their last name in real life). Whew - Did you follow that?
So why am I going into this lengthy explanation of the avatar account name creation process? Simply to set the stage before the students enter, and to acknowledge at the start that we have a greater potential for true anonymity this year- Let's see where that might take us...

SLCC 2007

Here is my badge from SLCC 2007! Being my third community convention, the enormity of the growth in the Education Track is nothing short of amazing! Besides having great fun, I made invaluable contacts, renewed precious friendships and added an abundance of ideas and practices to my education inventory! Thanks to all who have supported Ramapo from the inception, and to those new believers...
Met many Ramapo Volunteers in person, and even grabbed a photo opp with Philip Rosedale:

Here we go ...

First off, I apologize for my absence theses past weeks, and I hope to catch you up on the latest innovations on Ramapo Islands. We now have acquired three new sims - to be named Airmont, Indian Rock, and Harriman, and Firesabre Consulting is working with Ramapo to create these engaging learning spaces for our students.

Our kids from last year will be keeping their accounts this year and will serve as mentors for the incoming class. The three new sims will be dedicated to 1. Math, Science, and Technology 2. Multimedia (machinima) and 3. Foreign Language.

So far the plan is to leave a great deal of land for the kids to create as that was one thing we learned last year; they want to build! In fact, left to their own devices, they will use up every prim we have! So another focus this year will be to learn how to build with "prim efficiency".

Maggie Marat and Chaser Brody SL NECC Badge

Maggie Marat2.jpg
Originally uploaded by Know Clue

Here is an image of my SL at NECC Badge! Thanks so much to KnowClue Kidd for great energy and results! Coreina and I are sitting in Stewart Airport waiting for flight to Atlanta (I can't get Little Feat out of my head!) - Following email closely for updates from KJ on Machinima Project - Talk about cutting it close!!!!