WHAT IS SECOND LIFE? Do you remember the movie The Matrix? Are you familiar with Anime? It is a combination of the Matrix and cartoon animation. It is a virtual world that mimics the real world using the interactive tools (read/write capabilities) of the World Wide Web. I think it will be a powerful tool. - Tina Falsitta [7/17/2007]

Second Life (SL) is a virtual 3-dimensional environment where people can meet and collaborate in a variety of settings. SL has more than 6 million members and an average of approximately 30,000 people online at any given time. SL, born out of the gaming industry, provides a social network using avatars (members create an online personality with a 3-dimensional image capable of moving around in a digital world). Individuals can join SL for free. (When someone initially joins the SL community they are provided with an opportunity to go through Orientation Island to learn how to move, communicate and dress themselves.)

SL is used by businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, professional organizations, and individuals. Businesses are testing and marketing products, government agencies are disseminating information, schools are creating collaborative communities, and entrepreneurs are creating virtual products and providing services that generate real world income. SL has a virtual economy that generates $1.5 million in real world revenue each month (although recent figures may indicate $1.5 million in business in a 24 hour period at times).

More than 141 universities, including Harvard, NYU, & Oxford have established virtual campuses or classroom space to teach a variety of courses. 18 education related organizations, including Global Kids, and a number of libraries and museums have also been established. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), NASA and other government agencies have already established themselves in Second Life. There are so many resources and opportunities in SL. I am actually looking to land my first job in SL, perhaps as a virtual taxi driver or teacher. Many companies, such as Hewlett-Packard and Verizon Communication are holding employment fairs and conducting interviews in SL. Universities are providing virtual tours of their campuses in SL, interacting with potential candidates, recruiting, and holding courses.

Recently an article appeared in the International Society for Technology in Education (Perkins & Arreguin, May 2007) journal about the application of SL in education and K-12 settings. K-12 schools are getting on the bandwagon as they realize that the skills needed to participate in SL are consistent with and provide opportunities to develop many of the skills students will need for the 21st century. - Tina Falsitta [7/16/2007]