The Buzz On Second Life (SL)

Second Life is an online 3-D virtual world where people can create virtual second life of themselves. Since its launch in 2003, it has grown significantly. Today, it is inhabited by a total of 5,695,677 people from around the world.

In my quest to explore this new creative tool, I went to the Second Life website, downloaded the program, installed it, and followed the on screen instructions to create a new account. Once the registration process was complete, I logged in, and followed the on screen directions to orient myself with my new world. As weeks passed, I got more involved with my second life, and found a wealth of sites for learning and teaching. Listed below are my top picks. Note: You must have a SL account to access the sites.

To register, go to http://secondlife.com/join/?a=b1db2230e011387588f345e9410f7ab1. Once you establish an account, click on any of the links below, and click the teleport now button to be taken to the site. Enjoy!

Virtual Campuses

• Campus:Second Life (Pathfinder Linden's hosted space for educators) - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Campus/150/100
• Harvard Law School's Austin Hall - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Berkman/69/54/24/
• Ohio University Second Life Campus - http://slurl.com/secondlife/ohio%20university/20/36/24/
• Northern Illinois University, Glidden Campus - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Glidden/88/166/30/

Science and Health

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Second Life - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Juwangsan/218/223
• Second Life Medical Library 2.0/Consumer Health Library/HealthInfo Island - SLurl 1, SLurl 2, SLurl 3
• Spaceport Alpha (incorporating International Spaceflight Museum and Second Life Planetarium by Chaac Amarula) - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/23/51/22/
• Solar Eclipse Planetarium (Aimee Webber) - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Midnight%20City/94/76/27/
• VINEC - Virtual Neurological Education Centre - http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lost%20Islands%20NW/48/83/22 (info)

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