I was playing around with the bubbl.us’s cool web chart creation tool and decided to map all the stuff I was "into." No wonder I’m so scattered at times. It’s a wonder that I can plan my day at all. Click on the image for a larger version.
Category: Virtual Worlds
Amira & I interviewed for MediaSnackers vodcast (video)
Click To Play My colleague Amira and I were recently interviewed by new media guru DK for his MediaSnackers vodcast during his tour of the eastern United States. We gave an overview of Global Kids and our interest in digital media and virtual worlds, and discuss in-depth what RezEd is all about. So nice to…
State Department event on Virtual Education: Constructivist Learning, Border Crossings, VW Certification Programs
Today I got the privilege to speak to an international audience of about 50 avatars about the work of Global Kids at a US State Department event called "Education Without Boundaries." It took place on USC’s lovely Annenberg Island in Second Life (click here to teleport). I was among a distinguished panel of educators including…
Teens in Second Life debate the 2nd Obama/McCain debate
Tonight I organized, with the help of my colleagues Rafi and Joyce, a presidential debate watching party in Teen Second Life. We had a very good turnout of about 28 teens, several of whom stayed for the entire 90 minutes — which is asking a lot of a teenager on a school night. Pretty much…
State Department hosting Second Life event on education in virtual worlds this Thursday
This Thursday, October 9, I am honored to be participating in a panel discussion on "Education without Borders" sponsored by the United States Department of State. The panel will address how virtual worlds can be used to reach out to people "conquering issues of physical distance, nationality, and culture." The panelists for this event include:…
See what people are tweeting about the US Presidential candidates in Second Life
Kei Moana sent out news that the Capitol Hill sim in Second Life has installed a cool Twitter visualization tool that lets you see what different people are saying about the two US Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates. (For those who don’t know, Twitter is a micro-blogging tool that many Second Life residents are enamoured with.)…
Barry Joseph’s career path: from tech geek to social reformer
Barry Joseph, the director of the Online Leadership Program at Global Kids, posted to the Huffington Post yesterday about how he got involved in youth-oriented digital media. It’s a very interesting read about how one person evolved in his career as a techie with a social conscience.
First Contact! Second day exploring Chinese virtual world HiPiHi
I got to log a few more minutes in the Chinese virtual world of HiPiHi this morning, which was pretty interesting. I somewhat randomly teleported around to some of the more popular locations, which is how I found this beautiful castle pictured above. It was largely a facade, with no rooms or furnishings on the…
New York teens wanted for Second Life machinima project!
I’m excited to announce that Global Kids is starting up again its youth machinima initiative called the "Virtual Video Project." If you know of a teenager in the New York area who is interested in global issues, politics, digital media and having fun, then send them our way! Applications are due by October 17. Students…
Draxtor’s report on the USC Public Good Challenge
Here’s another great machinima news report from my buddy Draxtor Dupres. This time he covers the USC Network Culture Project’s Public Good Challenge in Second Life. It’s a nice frame for looking at the potential of virtual worlds for more than just commerce and entertainment. I was honored to serve as one of the selection…