Out and About with Liberty: The VWEC Eduverse | MarkTwain White: A Tribute to a Second Life Icon | Events & Announcements | New Locations
07/27/2024
OUT & ABOUT WITH LIBERTY: THE VWEC EDUVERSE
As I strolled through the vibrant celebrations of SL21B, themed "Elements" this year, I found myself drawn to a unique exhibit that promised to unveil a fascinating aspect of Second Life®. The Virtual Worlds Education Consortium (VWEC) exhibit caught my eye, inviting educators and curious minds alike to explore the innovative VWEC Eduverse.
Created in collaboration with Linden Lab, it serves as a dedicated space for educators within SL. Its mission is to unite educators to share successful strategies and address challenges across virtual platforms and communities. The exhibit beautifully tied into SL21B's elements theme—Air, Fire, Water, Earth—offering a symbolic representation of the multifaceted nature of education. At the exhibit, I learned how these elements relate to education:
- Wind: Symbolizes the spread of ideas, essential for inspiring curiosity and critical thinking.
- Fire: Represents the transformative power of knowledge, igniting a lifelong love for learning.
- Water: Signifies adaptability and the flow of information, encouraging flexible thinking.
- Earth: Embodies the solid foundation of facts and skills, grounding education in reality.
Together, these elements create a balanced and dynamic educational experience, nurturing well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in a complex world. VWEC’s commitment to fostering education in virtual worlds is evident in their regular activities. They hold quarterly general meetings to collaborate and document best practices.
The VWEC Metaverse Expert Series, held twice a month, features experts sharing their experiences and approaches to using virtual worlds for teaching and training. These sessions typically last an hour, followed by a casual half-hour happy hour for more in-depth discussions.
Weekly fireside chats provide informal opportunities for educators to converse about virtual world learning, share best practices, and brainstorm solutions to common obstacles. These chats are available in several languages.
The VWEC Welcome Plaza is a gateway to education in virtual worlds, offering resources, skills training, and volunteer support. New residents are encouraged to visit the New Resident Resources Building, while the Info Center at the Welcome Plaza serves as a hub for information about teaching and learning in virtual environments. Live avatar helpers are often available to direct visitors to the resources they need.
VWEC undertakes various projects to assist educators using SL, such as instructor development, models of teaching, and free educational resources. They also run the Minetest Summer Camp, the Student Research Exhibit, and the Student Challenge, which focuses on serious simulations in the metaverse.
The SL Educational Reserve aims to create welcoming educational spaces, promote interaction, provide safe networking environments, and showcase the educational value of social virtual worlds. It supports diversity and inclusion while advocating for Second Life's educational potential.
My visit to the VWEC exhibit at SL21B was an eye-opening experience, revealing the depth and breadth of educational opportunities in Second Life. If you are an educator or someone passionate about education, I highly recommend exploring the VWEC Eduverse. For more information, visit their website or teleport directly to the VWEC Eduverse. For inquiries, contact Elli Pinion, Valibriarian, or Dodge Threebeards.
Article and photographs by Liberty Fairelander
MARKTWAIN WHITE: A TRIBUTE TO A SECOND LIFE ICON
The Second Life® community recently bid farewell to one of its most cherished members, MarkTwain White, who passed away after a long and impactful presence in our virtual world. Mark was a longstanding resident, known for his significant contributions to the sailing community and his passionate advocacy for the enhancement of sailable waters.
A Pillar of the Sailing Community
MarkTwain White was deeply embedded in the fabric of SL's sailing community. He was a prominent landholder in the United Sailing Sims area of the Blake Sea, where he tirelessly worked to promote and improve sailing opportunities for all residents. His dedication to the community was unwavering, and he was a constant advocate for the expansion of sailable and interconnected waters. Mark's efforts ensured that sailors in Second Life had ample space to explore and enjoy their nautical adventures.
As a member of the Blake Sea group, an organisation overseen by Linden Lab focused on enhancing recreational areas, Mark's influence was profound. His vision and persistence helped shape the Blake Sea into a vibrant hub for sailing enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among its residents.
A Heartfelt Memorial
On July 20th at 2 PM SLT, mourners gathered to honour Mark's memory at the four corners of the Blake Sea—Crows Nest (SE), Cattewater (SW), Nelson (NE), and Thunderer (NW)—just a few regions southwest of Mark's beloved Hollywood property. The memorial service was a testament to the impact Mark had on the SL community, drawing a large crowd of residents who came to pay their respects.
The Second Life Coast Guard (SLCG) held a poignant ceremony in Mark's honour, featuring a 21-gun salute that echoed across the virtual waters. DJ Crystal Cowgrl curated a heartfelt selection of sailing songs and took requests, providing a musical backdrop that resonated with the attendees. Due to the sheer number of people wishing to participate, Linden Lab broadcast the memorial service and the music across the Blake Sea, ensuring that everyone could join in commemorating Mark's life.
Following the memorial, a boat parade led by the SLCG set sail from the memorial area to "The Gathering Place" at Skagway. The procession was a fitting tribute to Mark's love for sailing, with numerous boats gracefully navigating the waters in his honour. At Skagway, the DJ continued to play music as people danced, shared memories, and celebrated Mark's legacy. A guest book at the bar allowed friends and visitors to leave their thoughts and condolences, creating a lasting tribute to a man who had touched so many lives.
An Irreplaceable Loss
The passing of MarkTwain White marks the end of an era. His tireless advocacy, community spirit, and passion for sailing have left an indelible mark. As residents reflect on his contributions and the joy he brought to the community, it is clear that SL will never be the same without him. Mark will be sorely missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide the sailing community for years to come.
In the words of those who knew him best, SL has lost an icon, but the spirit of MarkTwain White will forever sail on the virtual seas he loved so dearly.
Article and photographs by Liberty Fairelander
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have one of our stamp terminals and you're having an event or would like to make an announcement, just let us know and we'll be happy to feature it here. Please drop a notecard on the Editor, Dave (Lord.Junibalya) in-world or use the Email the Editor link in the sidebar to send us your information, posters and/or photos. |
Mount Campion Guided Tour Today
Ranger Hex Shining North Star, assisted by Ranger Teresa Firelight, will lead a guided tour of Mount Campion National Forest today – Saturday July 27, 2024. The tour will begin at 9am SLT. Please come ten minutes early if possible. The tour will last for about ninety minutes and will begin here.
This is the park’s main tour. It takes you to fifty locations in the park, including serene trails, scenic lakes, streams, waterfalls, etc. It also ventures briefly into Mt Campion’s massive underground cave system. It addition, for BBB, CDS and CPCB passport holders, there are two stamps you can collect during this tour.
Wear comfortable shoes, because you will be doing a lot of walking!
NEW LOCATIONS
Black Shark Lagoon is a location for Get the Freight Out! – GTFO! and a general port available to SL sailors around the coast of Satori.
Bay City Airships Aerodrome does pretty much what it says on the tin! It supports access to and from Bay City by hot air balloon, blimp, airship or helicopter, giving residents the opportunity to explore this historic part of our virtual world by air.
Black Shark Lagoon ST | ||
Bay City Airships Aerodrome SN |
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