The University of Arizona acquires space in Second Life
The University of Arizona is building a new campus — digitally. Up until now, faculty who wished to hold classes in Second Life, the enormously popular 3D virtual world on the Web, have been leasing and building their own facilities. But now, thanks to OSCR Director Limell’ Lawson, the University has leased space and is starting to build a virtual campus.
As a member of the New Media Consortium (NMC), a collaboration between hundreds of universities exploring the use of emerging technologies, the University was able to sublease an entire “island” in the enormous tract the NMC has leased from Second Life.
With Second Life, the University can provide space for students to engage with faculty and each other in building creative projects. The University of Arizona in Second Life will also be used to support direct instruction and research and will be a valuable outreach and recruiting opportunity.
One advantage to the University in having its own island is that it offers measures of protection for visitors; the University will have control over the space and will enforce its code of conduct.
Chris Johnson, retired from the University and an early adopter of Second Life for teaching, will coordinate the development effort and serve as the contact for faculty interested in holding classes in the University’s Second Life space. As an initial step he is chairing a committee on the development of UA in Second Life. The committee is looking for interested faculty and students to help develop the island.
Throughout Fall 2007, the University’s Second Life island will undergo development, with the assistance of the NMC, to create a uniquely UA landscape and design. Look for more news on the University in Second Life in the spring.
If you have a Second Life account, you can see UA — Second Life by visiting: slurl.com/secondlife/University%20of%20Arizona/182/159/29
For more info
Chris Johnson
cgj@email.arizona.edu
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