17 July 2007

A model for working conferences

This posting was passed on to me by a colleague. It appears to be very like the model suggested for our working conference on role-based learning.

I've included the full posting in case you might be interested in second life research.

From: Re-inventing design education in the University [mailto:RIDE@JISCMAIL.AC.UK] On Behalf Of Jeremy hunsinger
Sent: Tuesday, 10 July 2007 12:19 AM
To: RIDE@JISCMAIL.AC.UK
Subject: cfp: learning and research in Second Life apologies for crossposting, distribute as appropriate -jh

Call for Papers/Participation

Please join us in a workshop on learning and research in Second Life on October 17, 2007 in Vancouver at Internet Research 8.0 (http://wiki.aoir.org/index.php?title=About_IR8.0)

Paper Deadline August 15th.

Second Life(R) is a 3d virtual environment created by Linden Lab which has captured the attentions of researchers and teachers from around the world from a variety of disciplines.
This workshop aims to improve the understanding of Second Life as a Learning and Research environment. It will bring 35 researchers together to collaborate, discuss and workshop diverse topics related to research and learning in Second Life. We will pursue a full-day schedule in which participants will discuss their work and interests on four different topics: learning in Second Life, integrated learning, the contributions of research to the community and ethical research methods.

How can we better enable learning in this sphere? How can we better enable research?

As a highlight, Robin Linden will give a talk to the group, and members of Linden Lab will participate throughout the day.

We encourage researchers to submit papers and short biography to slworkshop@tmttlt.com which will be selected and distributed amongst participants before the workshop. First invitations will be offered to those who provide full papers for consideration.

These papers have two purposes: first is to provide a common platform for understanding our research and teaching and second submitted papers may be considered for publication in an edited volume being produced in relation to the workshop, or possibly in peer reviewed publication derived from the workshop (these are currently under discussion).

Subsequent invitation will be made based upon research/teaching statement and biography. If you are interested in participating, please send an email containing your information to slworkshop@tmttlt.com.

Decisions will be made by September 1st, barring incident. There is a limit of 35 participants at the physical meeting; the event will be simulcast into Second Life.

We welcome professionals, faculty and graduate students to participate.

This workshop is sponsored by Linden Lab creators of Second Life and is organized by Jeremy Hunsinger and Aleks Krotoski. Free lunch, coffee breaks and the room is included in participation.
jeremy hunsinger

Information Ethics Fellow, Center for Information Policy Research, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (www.cipr.uwm.edu)
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http://www.aoir.org The Association of Internet Researchers http://www.stswiki.org/ stswiki http://cfp.learning-inquiry.info/ LI-the journal http://transdisciplinarystudies.tmttlt.com/ Transdisciplinary Studies:the book series

12 July 2007

METTLE Conference

Hi EnRoLErs?
How is life out there in role play land?

The EnRoLE Project Team has had a productive couple of weeks of meetings, seminars and conferences to organise and attend.

Sandra and I attended the University of Melbourne's METTLE Conference on Wednesday where we were privileged to see the work of some dedicated and talented academics.

Thanks to Claire Brook's strategic thinking we were able to profile EnRoLE at a Snapshot Session, poster session and an afternoon workshop. According to Sandra, it wasn't really a workshop because we worked and the participants shopped. Ha Ha. Seriously though, the workshop was a great opportunity to showcase some of your role play designs and to hear about the local innovations in role based learning. Bill Genat (UMelb) and Sandra Jones (RMIT) shared their experiences in designing and implementing online role play simulation. It was fascinating to see how versitile and powerful role based learning is. There is great potential for EnRoLE Victoria to take off very quickly with interest from Melbourne, Deakin, RMIT and Swinbourne already.

Congratulations to Claire whose team received one of only 2 excellence awards for their poster on Cultural Blogging. Fascinating stuff. Well deserved Claire! We also touched base with some interesting academics doing some fascinating work in utilising educational technology. It was great to catch up with one of our EnRoLE reference group representatives, Rick Canale. Rick is sharing his time between UMelb and his work with Illuminate.

We are off to a great start in our quest to cascade to other states. The University of Adelaide's Molger Maier, Judi Baron and Ann Davenport have EnRoLEd as co-leaders of the South Australian Network. Through their work, UAdelaide is really pushing forward on encouraging role based learning. If you haven't already visited UAdelaide's situational learning website SCoPE, I'd like to recommend it to you. You will need to register to participate in discussions. http://andy.services.adelaide.edu.au/moodle/course/view.php?id=32

05 July 2007

Why are Role play so powerful?

This is a quote from a student (Lissa) after a role play simulation called "Holocaust" from a USA community college:
As a military reservist, I have been waiting 5 years for my call up to the Middle East and have seriously wrestled with my anger towards Moslems over 9-11,etc; I used to think that any of them who got hurt by U.S. forces mostly deserved it and many of my shipmates think "the only good Moslem is a dead Moslem." I have been immersed in that environment and it is only through your class that I have come to realize that that attitude is a mistake, part of our American "empire" mindset. On thinking it over, my mind and eyes are much more open to what's really going on in the Middle East. It is because of your class that I am actually trying to separate the guilty from the innocent...


The role play ran for 3 weeks (as are most Fablusi role play). Anyone will admit that as a teacher, if I can change ONE person's life, that's ALL I need as reward for all the hard work I put into my job.

I just have to ask, Why are Role play so powerful?

ASCILITE Papers due soon

There has been great interest among our EnRoLE community in preparing papers and workshops for the ASCILITE conference to be held in Singapore in December this year. This is very exciting!

With the July 23rd deadline fast approaching, EnRoLErs are madly working away on their papers. If you are thinking about submitting a paper or workshop please check the ASCILITE website for details: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/singapore07/

:)