Bloom's Taxonomy and Second Life

I found this great chart online a while back in the public domain that listed Bloom's Taxonomy like a ladder, and stacked verbs appropriate for each level beneath, and placed activities that aligned above. Taking this one step further, I've added a third tier of information to this chart. It's by no means an exhaustive list of possible ways to use Second Life for teaching and learning, but rather an aid to get your creative juices flowing when you want to use Second Life appropriately in your lesson plans. Click on the image above to get a copy in PDF you can save and print- and feel free to send me feedback or suggestions for improving it.

Can't Log In? Check The Grid Status

Sometimes no matter how many times you type your username and password, you can't get logged into the grid. Remember- you can check the current status of the grid and any issues it may be experiencing at http://status.secondlifegrid.net.

It's been a quiet winter break... with statwide training and conference workshops and sessions coming up, we're looking forward to a busy winter! Stay tuned...

RGB = XYZ

Melany and I are working on still images and poses for the Small Business Development Center's simulations, and it dawns on me that when I first started learning how to move objects around in Second Life, it took me a while to put to memory which direction was which. Coordinates in Second life are still Cartesian, but in math classes growing up, the entire grid was tipped 90 degrees to what is "normal" to what I learned. This didn't come to light for me until I sat down today to work with Melany, and she insisted that this grid isn't the same as a "math grid. "

So, here's a little mnemonic that I've devised for myself that may help you- it helped Melany:

RGB = XYZ, where the red handle correlates to the x value, y correlates to green and z to blue.

Also helpful? Thinking of the way things will actually turn in the real world when correlated to values on the x y z plane - I did this thinking of the way my body moves. R, or red, is like tumbling head over heels, Y or green is like doing a cartwheel, and z is like spinning in place. Does this make sense? Let me know if a better explanation than this is desired.

Homogenous Forests?

If you've been on the island lately, you may have noticed that from our space has emerged a ton of pine trees- the basic Linden evergreen is acting as a placeholder, until we can grow more localized Oregon fauna. Did you know you can help sprout new plants to bring green variety to OR Community colleges island? We have a list of native species we're growing as a group- and making plants in Second Life is pretty easy- we'll happily help you, just come on by during sandbox drop in time! (Plant list, sandbox schedules and more are at our main info site. )

If you'd like more information on the island flora project, drop avatar Ruby Sol a note in Second Life.

Lots happening on the island

I just got back from a two week vacation and got a chance to wander around the island this afternoon. It is developing so wonderfully. Go take a stroll! Here are some photos of our hard working builders.

Island Map and Signs

Information signs have been added back into the island landscape, and now includes an island map at our central landing point in the Willamette Lowlands. The tent just behind this spot will house general island information- project process, opportunities to get involved, and an island events schedule.

While the pathways need some fine-tuning adjustment, they are also in place to help aid you in interpreting the island layout. If you want to visit each available area on the island, just follow the path and read each sign to find out what's planned for the space, and who to contact to get involved.

Beautiful Sandbox Chaos

For two hours last Wednesday, DharmaPuppy Pinklady and I went out to Rock Creek campus at PCC where we work, and helped introduce a class of 12 CIS133G-Introduction to Computer Game Programming students to the basics of Second Life building. What an incredible experience! Above is a collage of some of the wonderful things that sprouted up in our sandbox in less than two hours. This group of brilliant kids, I'll thank them again for playing. I also learned a valuable lesson. Give kids a system to game, and they will. Always un~check the "allow terraforming" box BEFORE you let the sandbox horde loose. ;)