Second Life ™

Good Morning!

Hanging for 3 hours at the S.A. airport — got ‘twittered’ that the security lines where unbelievably long so I headed out early.  And, what do you know?  I was through security in under 10 minutes!  Oh well, the wifi here is great (thanks San Antonio International Airport!) so I thought I’d get a blog post out of the way.

As you recall from one of my last posts, we raffled off L$1,000 vouchers to ten lucky winners at our NECC workshop, Creating a Professional Learning Network in Second Life.  Here is a partial list of the lucky ten (we’re waiting for some of the others to create an avatar):

Valiana Shepard

Evverett Sobociski

Mari Giovinazz0

Abbey Ashton

Arabella Bing

Tomann Dagastion (added on 7-4-08)

Rosemary Rhiadra (added on 7-4-08)

Congrats!  And if you need some help spending that money, just give me a holler! LOL

Congratulations to those of you who have participated in our DEN at NECC 2008 Raffle. We’ve given away almost L$500 in just two days and you still have another day of chances. Keep in mind that the more people that are there, the more money that can be won. The prize goes for each avatar present over 3.

So what can you do while waiting:

• Share the power of Discovery. Make it an event by talking about using technology with your teachers or kids and you can record this as an event for STAR status.
• Practice with your GESTURES. You probably have never taken to the time to fully see what they do. Now while you’re waiting play around and be ready to have some fun.
• Share shopping secrets. If there is something you have been looking for - ASK. People have loads of landmarks and no two people have the same so share those shopping landmarks and once you win take off and go shopping.
• How would you spend the time? Leave a suggestion in the comments.

Congratulations to the following people who have won so far:

1. Theo Seidel
2. Mmt3ch Devin
3. Coletti Muircastle
4. Renzo Amat
5. Wiley Onomatopoeia
6. Tomann Dagostino
7. Donna Tuttle
8. Avigail Lindman
9. Kita Coage
10. Shai Shepherd
11. Usul Mulligan
12. Ellie Noyes
13. Renzo Amat
14. sallymin Latte
15. Frizzy Lisle
16. Thonalon Umarov
17. Eliza Vanalten
18. Bob Gentry
19. Bracken Homewood
20. Issa Grossman
21. Kizilbash Ballyhoo
22. Bebop Hird
23. HariSheldon Herouin
24. Peep Pennell
25. Topshelf Hotshot

#necc #necc2008

Howday y’all!  (you should hear the ‘twang’ that Laelia has developed!LOL)

Talk about sensory and emotional overload!LOL  Yesterday, at 8:30 a.m. the entire DEN in SL LC presented together face-to-face.  Although most of us had the opportunity (fortune) to meet face-to-face on Saturday night (I landing late and cursing the shuttle service to the hotel — I was the last stop), Celestia met some of the LC for the first time only 45 minutes before the presentation. 

In true Laelia fashion, I donned my purple wig and did what ‘Laelia’ does best — worked the crowd.  And what a crowd it was!  All seats (over 100 were taken), standing room only, and they finally had to close the door.  And then we did what the DEN in SL LC does best — we ROCKED THEIR WORLD!!!  We began our session by standing up in the ‘avatar (away)’ position!  Then one by one we raised our head and introduced ourselves.  With a slideshow playing on the screen, each of us took a turn we shared our stories of how SL and DEN in SL had contributed to our Personal/Professional Learning Network.  Riptide introduced the concept of the DEN in SL and the creation of the LC, Lor took it away with a recap of events and promises of future happenings, I shared info about the blog and the wiki, Beth continued with the formation of the DEN Guides, JM shared about the building project, and then came Cel….well, not JUST Cel!  As only the minds of this LC can work, Cel & JM had worked behind the scenes to create a digital story about LostTeacher Haystack who became DENTeacher Magic.  Please be on the lookout for it on the upcoming list for the Emmys, the Tonys, and the DENys!  We concluded with a raffle of the book ‘Second Life for Dummies’, an mp3 player generously provided by DEN, and ten (yes, 10!!!) coupons for L$1,000 each.

I want to take this space to say how honored I am to be working with such a fabulous, creative, dedicated group of individuals.  To me this truly exemplifies the core of a Personal/Professional Learning Network.   And to all the DEN Guides who enable us to even more, and I would like to welcome all educators in SL to come and see what the DEN in SL is all about and how we can MAKE A DIFFERENCE in your PPLN!

Stay tuned for links to images and videos of the session.

Thank you to all who chose to make ‘Creating a Personal Learning Network in Second Life’ your first session of the day!  If you aren’t already in-world, we hope that we’ll see you there soon.  And please don’t forget to visit the wikispace for more information and links to contact each and every one of us.

Quick Update if you’re at NECC in RL or even if you’re in-world: 
Today, July 1, at 3 p.m. CST (guess that would be San Antonio time!, 4 p.m. EST) we will be in the SL Lounge area for a ‘Meet and Greet’.  Please stop by (in RL or virtually).

That’s right!  If you’re at NECC in San Antonio, then we expect to see you at 8:30 a.m. SHARP for a presentation by the DEN in SL Leadership Council, ‘Creating a Personal Learning Network in Second Life’.  We’re in Room 211 (make a left at the Bloggers Cafe, and it’s right before the SL Lounge on the right hand side) — can’t miss us, don’t think there’s anyone else in the ENTIRE convention wearing a purple wig! LOL  And if that’s not enough incentive, know that we’ll be raffling off a book, ‘Second Life for Dummies’, and mp3 player, and THIS IS A BIGGIE!!!!! (drumroll please!!!) a total of L$10,000!  (Think of the amount of hair you could purchase with that!)

Not at NECC?  Not a problem!  Watch Twitter for updates about possible live streaming options. Also watch for more ways for you to participate virtually later in the week.

And as an additional ‘teaser’, let me just say that you’ll see a premiere of an Academy Award winning film….’nough said! 

Cross-posted from the National Blog:

Discovery Education is excited to announce many new GREAT additions coming your way to streaming! This includes the long awaited and asked for Student Center where your students will have ability to log on and download media, better correlation with your state standards, more refined search, an update builders and my content, not to mention that the base package has increased to 5,000 titles!

STAR Streaming Update
11:30 am, PDT or 2:30 EDT
Click here to join. No registration or password required: https://discoveryed.webex.com/discoveryed/onstage/g.php?d=556861250&t=a

STAR Streaming Update
12:30 pm, PDT or 3:30 EDT
Click here to join. No registration or password required: https://discoveryed.webex.com/discoveryed/onstage/g.php?d=556636663&t=a

STAR Streaming Update
3:30 pm, PDT or 6:30 EDT
Click here to join. No registration or password required: https://discoveryed.webex.com/discoveryed/onstage/g.php?d=556875536&t=a

I CANNOT believe that I’m already posting about July events!  How is this possible?  I’m not even done with school yet!  As soon as I typed in the title of the post I felt a sense of panic that summer was almost over and I haven’t even started what is known as ‘teacher vacation’ (attending conferences, planning for next year, participating in workshops in the district, etc.).  In any event, we’ve got a great line-up for July and we hope that whereever you are you’ll be able to join us.

DATE:  July 2, 2008 

This will be an informal gathering since the entire Leadership Council will be at NECC (wOOt!) and presenting (for the first — an hopefully not – last time as a team in real life!) on Monday at 8:30 a.m.

TIME:  5:00 p.m. SLT (7 p.m. CST, 8 p.m. EST)

*****

DATE:  July 9, 2008

WORKSHOP:  Creating Your Class Website with WebBlender

PRESENTER:  Faythe Fouroux

DESCRIPTION:  Creating and maintaining a class website doesn’t have to be hard and scary!  WebBlender makes it easy and fun.  Come learn what WebBlender can do for you. WebBlender is a Tech4Learning product and you can learn more about it at here.

SLT TIME: 5:00 p.m. SLT ( 7 p.m. CDT, 8 p.m. EST)

*****

DATE:  July 16, 2008

WORKSHOP:  Newbie 101

PRESENTER:  JessieMarie Flanagan 

DESCRIPTION:  New to Second Life?  Come join us as JessieMarie takes you on a tour of the functions of the various menus and toolbars, you’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions, and who knows? a shopping trip just might round out the evening! 

SLT TIME: 6 p.m. SLT (8 p.m. CDT, 9 p.m. EST) NOTE:  THIS IS AN HOUR LATER THAN USUAL!!!

*****
DATE:  July 23, 2008

WORKSHOP:  Making Your Second Life ™ Easier

PRESENTER:  Celestia Cazalet

DESCRIPTION:  Celestia will introduce you to free programs and websites that can enhance your Second Life(tm) experience. Come prepared to share your own discoveries, as well.

SLT TIME:  5:00 p.m. SLT ( 7 p.m. CDT, 8 p.m. EST)

*****

DATE:  July 30, 2008

WORKSHOP:  Streaming with SMARTboards: Opening a Window to the Digital World

PRESENTER: Lyndsay Rhiano

DESCRIPTION:  Do you currently have a SMARTboard in your classroom or district?  Did you know that Discovery Streaming can be seamlessly integrated with your SMARTboard?  During this workshop you will learn about ways to integrate Discovery Streaming, various funding strategies, be provided with resources for implementation, and information on programs that SMART Technologies provides SMART educators.

SLT TIME:  5:00 p.m. SLT ( 7 p.m. CDT, 8 p.m. EST)

TEASER……Start shopping now!  The 1st Anniversary Gala for DEN in SL will be happening in August!

We’re calling this workshop the ‘NECC Pre-game Show’ and when Lor wrote it up in the Events section I kinda chuckled as the image of Super Bowls flooded my mind.  But then it hit me.  For many of us in technology, NECC IS the Super Bowl! 

We will be joined by Cami Goyut (Camilla Gagliolo, RL, ISTE Board of Directors, Executive Committee At-large Member & Special Interest Group Representative) who will provide us with ideas to help plan our time at NECC and on how to use NECC as another tool in our PPLN.   Time is also built in for any questions you might have about your NECC visit. 

So it this is your first time and NECC or your 10th time, please join us on Wednesday at 4 p.m. SLT (6 p.m. CST, 7 p.m. EST).  NOTE:  THIS IS ONE HOUR EARLIER SO MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

As a lead up to NECC ISTE and TCEA hosted a social with line dancing and bull riding. It was great fun with many of the top spots for the bull riding being held by DEN members.

Put on your photography gear and join Celestia Cazlet at 5 p.m. SLT (7 p.m. CST, 8 p.m. EST) for  ’Your Camera: It isn’t Just for Taking Pictures Anymore!’

See you there!

Please join Celestia Cazalet and the rest of the crew for ‘Your Camera: It isn’t Just for Taking Pictures Anymore!’  She will show you how to go all over without ever leaving DEN in SL HQs (sounds a little like Dorothy to me!LOL)  Unlock the potential of your camera controls and come away with cool tips and tricks.

For those of you looking to get badges for NECC and need a picture of yourself in SL, there will be a photobooth set up so you can do your own ‘Project Runway’ photoshoot!

So put on your best hair, dig through that inventory of yours to find something cool and colorful to wear, and we’ll see you on Wednesday at 5 p.m. SLT (7 p.m. CST, 8 p.m. EST).

SLT TIME: 5:00 P.M. SLT ( 7 PM CDT, 8 PM EST)