The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: News

Media Credit: COURTESY ROSS MILLER Members of Scott Shamp's NMIX 4200 New Media Technology course pose for a portrait Monday in their class in Second Life. [Click to enlarge]

The real and virtual worlds were separate entities - until now.

At the University, Second Life is utilized in the New Media Institute, which owns an island. Director Scott Shamp teaches a class on Second Life.

Similar to Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook that offer social networking opportunities, Second Life is utilized at universities nationally as an experimental educational tool.

"Second life creates a unique method for interaction because you are not just typing but it has voice capability, enabling real conversations," said Matt Griffin, New Media Institute graduate assistant.

Second Life offers opportunities for collaboration, self and distance learning

"Teaching a class in second life is one of the most unusual things I have done as a professor," Shamp said.

Shamp's students work on several projects including a virtual tailgate, designing GA-400 and a band performance.

The virtual tailgate, Friday at 3 p.m., gives alumni and students the opportunity to meet.

Remembering Athens' prominent music scene, one project is a band performance featuring Flashing Blue Light. Students in larger lecture classes utilize the software to discuss campaigns and educate students on the political process.

Using the built-in technology and tools, students build an array of structures on their spaces.

"What is more important is figuring out what is most appropriate to build for a particular space," Shamp said.

Shamp's use of Second Life is part of the University's effort, "Building a New Learning Environment," which seeks to blend information technologies while transforming traditional academic disciplines.

Shamp, who taught a class on the Internet as it evolved, said he believes interest in Second Life stems from uniqueness.

"I encourage students to take the class because this is a medium that is evolving and I think that students enjoy learning about things as they happen - being a pioneer."

"Second Life," created by Linden Lab, is a 3-D world where residents create avatars that have capability to interact with other participants.

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