Tame The Web » Second Life Library 2.0

Visiting the Second Life Reference Desk

Michael — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:07:13 +0000

Each semester in LIS768 we take an hour and talk about Second Life and log in to see what it’s like. This is the first semester that we have actually chatted with a Reference Librarian and I was very happy the class got to participate. The librarian spoke with the class and told us she does a voluntary 2 hour shift weekly in world and gets a good number of reference questions from outside of LIS folk.

Some synchronicity: add to this an email I received from a librarian that follows me on Twitter who is teaching at Catholic University this semester.

LSC 742 Library Technologies and Project Management Class:
http://wiki.sla.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=11370942 .

You’ll note one focus of the class is working in SL. My LIS701 students were also very interested in the section in our new book about SL. I know SJSU has a presence, but what are other LIS schools doing with SL?

Talking, Looking, Flying, Searching: A research report on information seeking in Second Life

Michael — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:49:16 +0000

| View | Upload your own

This was the independent study I supervised last spring. I am very impressed with Margaret’s work and found the final presentation in Second Life to be engaging and thought-provoking. Check it out.

From her blog:

http://librariandreamer.wordpress.com/

My Second Life research project concluded with an end-of-term presentation within Second Life. My advisor, Michael Stephens, and two other avatars showed up to hear my research results and participate in discussion.

You can see my final presentation slides here. This blog will continue to exist as a record of this project but I’ll no longer be actively posting to it. So, signing off, thanks much to those of you who have followed this project. I appreciate your kind comments and words of encouragement along the way.

Virtual world libraries : Challenges & Strategies

Michael — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:03:48 +0000

Introduction: Me., originally uploaded by Timothy Greig.

http://timothygreig.com/archives/131

Timothy Grieg, who I’ve followed for a while as he worked on his Masters project, writes:

Today I collaborated (virtually and in person) with three other Second Life educators to present a session on Libraries and Second Life at theTELSIG National Seminar which is being held in Palmerston North today and tomorrow.

I was incredibly nervous, and we were all crossing our fingers and toes that there wouldn’t be technology hitches – but all in all – even though there was the odd hiccup, I think it went pretty well! Everyone I spoke to afterwards had such nice things to say.

…

I gave a ‘mixed world‘ talk, with my slides and avatar in Second Life, but not managing to get out of standing up in front of 80 or so librarians! My talk was (of course) about my INFO580 research project “Second Life Libraries: Challenges and Strategies“. I had prepared lots more to say than I had the time to talk about, so I’m really glad I prepared a full transcript of my talk as a set on flickr for anyone interested in experiencing everything! (Of course, if you’re really keen you could read the whole report, or you could also check out my earlier presentation about Digital Libraries!)

The presentation is available via a Flickr set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothygreigdotcom/sets/72157605674870376/

I’ve see a lot of good research in the past few months centered on Second Life.Is someone gathering all of these projects in one place?

Spring 2008 “snapshot” of Second Life use in UK HE/FE

Michael — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:32:18 +0000

Via John Kirriemuir

http://www.silversprite.com/?p=540

Academics who have successfully developed in SL report that their host institution and technical services are largely supportive, though with the latter there are often problems with firewalls, PC capability and enabling voice functionality. Academics report varied reactions to SL from colleagues, ranging from interest and curiosity to suspicion and “hatred”. Unlike their US counterparts, UK academic libraries are not significantly involved in SL activities.

Academics described a very wide range of SL activities spanning teaching, learning, research, performance, construction and demonstration. The key advantage of SL in teaching and learning is that there are many activities in which the student must be more than a passive learner in order to progress. The student has to develop “stuff”, collaborate and participate. Before these can occur, he or she has to master a new and transferable skill set, meaning that, in SL, learning is done more by participating and doing than by listening and absorbing.

Second Life Snapshot

Michael — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:29:41 +0000

John Kirriemuir writes:

http://www.silversprite.com/?p=537

The latest snapshot report on UK Higher and Further Education developments in Second Life is nearing completion; the report should be out in a few weeks. Here’s the responses to one particular question, from academics who have been developing and/or using SL in their work.

• Generally a gimmick, though I think a few places who innovate are trying it out.
• Hatred of any new technology by those within a decade of retirement. They hate change, they hate having to learn anything new, and they just want a quiet life until they drift off. Unfortunately, these same people hold the power within faculty.
• Generally – with caution, the value of learning using ‘serious games’ and virtual worlds in general is being questioned.
• Varies considerably from fear and rejection, to healthy scepticism to evangelical enthusiasm.
• With much interest.
• Mainly with suspicion. To many lecturers, it simply looks too much like a video game, leading to negative assumptions. I am tired with people, and I refer mainly to senior academics, who are too idle to experiment with Second Life. Instead, they prefer to reinforce their incorrect prejudice. Many, I guess, don’t like it as it represents change or something different. Which may mean more work for them in the decreasing gap between now and when they retire. Personally, I wish they would all sod off; if they aren’t going to help our Second Life activities, then at least stop hindering them.
• Mixed – some people think it is a game and not serious others recognise its potential.
• I don’t think there is much informed awareness of either its potential or its limitations and, of course, there is bound to be a fair bit of concern about the less savoury aspects. The ability to run a private grid behind a firewall in due course may allay the concerns of some, albeit at some considerable loss.
• With enthusiasm and imagination by a minority, and with doubt, fear and even derision by the rest…
• Do you know how [expletive] off I am with people who, on being told about Second Life, respond with “Maybe you should get a First Life?” Like, they’re the first person ever to think up that devastatingly witty reply. Oh, how we laugh. Ha [expletive] ha.

Some sweeping statements on both sides of the spectrum and a dash of ageism for sure. This interests me as educators in my network look to incorporate SL into their teaching. It’s amazing how varying the responses can be and how similar the responses are to the things that have come before.

TTW Mailbox: Emerging Technology Committee at Monroe County Library System

Michael — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:55:14 +0000

Patricia Uttaro, Assistant Director, System Services at the Monroe County Library System in New York, writes:

I’ve been meaning to write to you for awhile to fill you in on activities in the Monroe County Library System since your visit here in 2006. The system now has an Emerging Technology Committee that just celebrated its first anniversary. At our last meeting, I asked if anyone was ready to drop off the team after a busy year, and the response I got from one and all was “No Way! We’re having way to much fun!”

The ETC has produced three Technology Camps for system staff in the last year that have been extremely well-received. We’ve covered gaming, music and audio book downloading, web-based applications, and social bookmarking so far. Creating and using video in the library is our next topic. The ETC meets monthly in various coffee shops in Monroe County (caffeine boosts the creative process, after all!), but we sometimes move from the coffee shop to places like Radio Shack, Best Buy, the Apple Store and other places where we can discover new toys. The Tech Camps have been so successful that we’ve been requested to produce two Camps for Library Trustees in June.

We also just finished up a training series based on Helene Blowers Learning 2.0 and I can say it was a resounding success. The 8 week series was extremely popular with system staff and resulted in the creation of a network of people who are using various web 2.0 tools and also connected via Meebo, which makes them available to other staff who are interested in learning more about the Learning 2.0 training.

During April & May, the MCLS has produced a Big Read grant program funded partially by the NEA. We chose Fahrenheit 451 for our Big Read, and have incorporated some web 2.0 concepts in the our programming. One that I thought would interest you is a book burning and discussion that will be held in Second Life at MCLS Amphitheater in Cybrary City II. We thought it appropriate that we hold at least one event in SL given the theme and imagery in F451. We’re hoping for a good turnout and a lively discussion.

Patricia – Thanks for the update and information about the ETC. I think you described the workings of a model ETC. I especially appreciated the off-site meetings – we used to do this with our team of internet trainers at SJCPL. It always made the meetings more interesting to get everyone together somewhere different.

Please let us know how the Second Life event went!

Second Life Research

Michael — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:34:45 +0000

This semester I am working with a student at The College of St. Catherine (Dominican has partnered with the school for a few years) on an independent study examining the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of Second Life Users. Check it out:

http://librariandreamer.wordpress.com/

I constructed this research project because I desperately want to know more about people who use virtual worlds. Knowing more about the users can help librarians who are experimenting with how to provide library services and information there.

Virtual worlds present a unique opportunity for librarians to creatively apply the mandate they have to serve user communities. A better understanding of user traits, preferences, needs & behaviors can help design the best services and resources for, and in collaboration with, the denizens of virtual worlds like SL.

This post links to a PDF of the proposal. I am looking forward to working with Margaret this semester. If you’re curious, please monitor her blog for more.

David Warlick & Will Richardson Explore Second Life

Michael — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:41:21 +0000

Warlick:

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2007/04/17/first-impressions-of-second-life/

I visited again this morning, and am sure that there are buildings there that weren’t there yesterday — big ones. I must admit a real sense of space there, and I’ve already made some friends, most of whom I have no idea who they are in RL (that’s real life). I did meet one guy (I guess) who admitted to being a principal in Vermont. He wouldn’t share his name, however, for fear of my thinking that all principals in Vermont have nothing better to do than wonder around, zombie like, in Second Life.

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/2007/04/18/the-stolen-flame/

Anyway, as I was flying around, looking for the paramecium, I ran across this, a virtual memorial to the victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre. It was quiet. Three other avatars were there. Lots of flowers and pictures of many of the victims on the wall.

There was also a pedistal, with nothing on it, entitled, “The Stolen Flame!”

Richardson:

http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/setting-up-shop-in-second-life/

So I mentioned recently that I’ve been spending some time in Second Life, and with some great help from Kevin Jarrett, I’ve now actually got my own “office” space with a view on EduIsland II. If you click on the picture, you’ll see that last night as I was decorating with the help of “Clare Lane” when lo and behold, in walked some guy named “Suriwang Dapto” who looked strangely familiar. Glasses…beard…lookin’ like a 70s holdover…WAIT! It’s David Warlick! Seems he’s setting up an office right next door!

Presentation on Second Life – Chasing those Users EVERYWHERE!

Michael — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:57:59 +0000

Fascinating take on Second Life, health libraries and a look at some intiatives within SL for healthcare training.

http://www.slideshare.net/digicmb/second-life-libraries/

I appreciate the fact sites like slideshare allow us to get to content like this so easily and image sets, such as http://www.flickr.com/photos/cambodia4kidsorg/sets/72157594399807060/ – Communities of Practice in SL – allow us to see what other groups are doing.

Hello Network Services Staff Avatars!!

Michael — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:48:13 +0000

Network Services Staff Avatars in Second Life

Originally uploaded by Nebraska Library Commission.

What a nice why to inspire curiosity about Second Life!

Can you guess who is who? Wondering about libraries in Second Life. Visit the Info Island blog to find out more about library services in the virtual world. infoisland.org

Running the Numbers on Second Life

Michael — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:20:45 +0000

http://tnl.net/blog/2007/01/05/running-the-numbers-on-second-life/

Fascinating discussion and analysis of SL stats. Read the comments too.

And Reuters offers a listing of SL articles at: http://secondlife.reuters.com/stories/category/second-life/ – Thanks to Jody at Hennepin County for sending that link.

Experiences in Second Life: What if everything behind you was forgotten?

Michael — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:18:41 +0000

Check out this post about an exhibit in Second Life from The Alzheimer Society of Ontario, in partnership with the Second Life Library 2.0:

http://freshtakes.typepad.com/sl_communicators/2006/12/public_affairs_.html

Some of the most powerfully delivered experiences in Second Life are delivered simply. Although the brand builds of recent months are impressive, very few communicate.

The temptation is to overwhelm our senses with the surroundings, demanding our pre-frontal lobes create the “being there” experience. Because we can do anything here, the temptation is to do it. Second Life presents opportunities to experience an issue – not just a space.

Our brains are wired for simulation – that is what our pre-frontal lobes are for. Virtual social worlds like Second Life lend to captivating the brain completely and engaging the emotions through that “being there” reaction.

I am fascinated to see more simulation, experience and engagement in Second Life. Next spring, Follet Chair Ed Valauskas is teaching a seminar on “Virtual Worlds” that will include SL. I’m eager to see how library schools can embrace SL for library education.

On Presenting in Second Life

Michael — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:33:09 +0000

Via The Church of the Customer Blog comes a link to an essay by Jeff Barr about presenting in Second Life:

http://www.jeff-barr.com/?p=707

We might also use it as a guide for getting comfortable in SL as more librarians come into the environment:

Spend time in world
Attend some events
Master the basics
Dress the part

(This include some useful links, including a links to SL Clothing sites. I think my black shirt, jeans and flip flops are getting tired.)

Dominican Faculty attend Gathering in Second Life for Cybrary

Michael — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 02:21:10 +0000

The mayor of Cybrary City, Paul Miller of Talis, will officially welcome Cybrary City residents and other interested librarians on Wed, December 6 at 2:30 pm sl time, 4:30 central, and 5:30 Eastern to welcome everyone. The welcome will be held on the plaza in front of the new conference center. Second Life Blog

A few of the Dominican faculty gathered and we projected my Mac running SL up on the screen in a library training room yesterday for this event. Afterward, we toured some areas of the island and SL in general. My avatar got stuck in a sitting position so I think he (I) made sort of a spectacle at the gathering!

We told everyone we were viewing from Dominican University!

Jill takes TV Crew to SL

Michael — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 13:53:28 +0000

Jill Hurst-Wahl writes about a recent visit by a TV news crew asking her to talk about Second Life:

Below is a link to the news story online as well as the video. It ran in the second spot on the 11 p.m. news, because it was evidently a slow news night. Good for me though.

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=08C5F34B-0836-468F-80D6-5BEC96741B60

The reporter was interested in SL because she had heard a bit about it and then had explored, and just thought it would be a good story. She and I spent nearly an hour together talking and going through SL, so there is lots that didn’t make it on the air. (And that gives me an opportunity to suggest at least one follow-up story.) What was amazing was that the crew was interested in what SL is, and even the meteorologist came up to me afterwards and wanted to know what we were talking about.