Posted by: Mike Abrams, VP of Technology
We’ve broken ground on an exciting new step in bringing new learning experiences to life. Well…virtual life…Second Life™ to be specific. Several months ago, TBD Consulting built its first building in Second Life™ and began experimenting and exploring the accelerated and innovative learning space.
Now we move into our public phase of exploration of new learning models by a dramatic expansion of our space in Second Life™. The new space is called Learning Innovation Island. This link is to a location inside of Second Life™ and you must be a registered Second Life™ user to access it. Registration is free at http://www.secondlife.com.
Learning Innovation Island, located at Learning Innovation Island is in Phase Two of development right
now, but it’s open to the public to come in and watch it being built. You may wander through our corporate building before the furniture and artwork come in, have a seat in our quaint waterside gazebo, visit the future home of the Learning Innovation Exposition Center or take a ride on a swan. What!!?? Ride a swan...yes.
The purpose of Learning Innovation Island is to provide a place to experience the integration of various web technologies as learning tools. These integrated systems of learning will help drive learning effectiveness, increased interaction between distance learners, peer-to-peer facilitated education, and stronger reinforcement/retention of learning. Some of the technologies to be in use will be Wiki’s, blogs, social networking sites, Second Life™ and websites.
Phases of Construction:
· 
Phase 1 – Terraforming – From a raw, flat piece of land to a serene valley lake surrounded by green mountains. The transformation has begun.
· 
Phase 2 - Building Constructionand Landscaping – Developing the buildings that will house our innovative learning technology experiences, our art gallery and corporate meeting spaces. A few trees, grasses and artificial intelligence swans in the lake should help make a nicer environment.
· Phase 3 – Furniture, artwork, pens and pencils. (that’s a joke..laugh). This is the real move-in activity. You’ll hear such things as “move that picture a little higher” and “no, I like the markerboard over there, closer to the tree.”
· Phase 4 – Partner Buildouts - We are featuring our partnerships with other learning technology companies to showcase their projects as well. Great way to jog those creative juices.
· Launch – Hmm..well who knows, maybe we’ll have a ballroom dance where your avatar can socialize, have some sushi, take a tour, maybe even a champagne toast. For you current Second Life™ users you know there will be some freebies too of course
So…are you curious? You can find me in Second Life™ as “Milford Revnik” wandering around managing the development project. Stop by and say hi.
