Introduction

What is Second Life?

"It is a communication tool, a social networking site, a presentation medium, a place for collaboration. Technically speaking, it is MUVE (multi-user virtual environment). The users interact in these online worlds in real time. The residents, as they are called in the Second Life (SLTM) environment, create everything in this virtual world. Residents are represented by a 3D avatar. There are two versions of SL, the teen grid for 13-17 year olds and the main grid for adults 18 and up." (Reference: An Introduction to Second Life® for Educators (PDF), Beth Knittle (Beth Kohnke - SL ) May 2008).

Some facts about Second Life:

• Tens of millions of square meters of virtual lands
• More than 13 million "residents"
• Has a thriving economy
• Is used for academic purposes, and for such things as campus visits, recruiting activities for prospective students
• Can build and modify learning spaces to test how different strategies for a physical space affect learning and educational activities in those spaces.

Adapted from an EDUCAUSE article: 7 Things You Should Know About Second Life (ID: ELI7038).

 

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Further Information About Second Life

• Overview
• Introductory Videos and Websites
• Find Out More
• Research and Articles