I helped organize what I think was a very successful Second Life conference on education in virtual worlds yesterday. This was the first virtual conference sponsored by RezEd.org, the social network for virtual world educators. The RezEd conference featured a panel discussion with educators working in Second Life, Google Lively and Dizzywood; a "birds of…
Akiva bonds with my dragon avatar! (video)
Here’s some super cute video of my boss Barry’s kid Akiva identifying with my dragon furry avatar in Second Life. That kid has good taste!
Swing that PhD Thesis! (video)
Some crazy outfit called Gonzo Labs is challenging PhD candidates around the country to post dance videos of themselves demonstrating what their thesis is about. I don’t even understand most of what these theses are about. But I love that some folks are doing bad ass lindy hop to demonstrate the principles these science doctoral…
Booking Information
I love public speaking. Among the topics I’m particularly qualified to speak on: STEM Learning Digital Learning Virtual Education I have addressed a range of audiences and events, from keynoting the Second Life Community Convention, to speaking to 250 non-governmental organizations in the UN General Assembly, and addressing tech companies and non-profits at Cisco Systems headquarters. I’m…
Seeking speaking gigs on virtual worlds, education, non-profit tech, and civic engagement
I realized today that I’ve never mentioned on my blog that I’m available and interested in speaking engagements, either in person or virtually. Among the topics I’m particularly qualified to speak on: Immersive Learning: The potential and reality of education and virtual worlds The Activist Avatar: the Use of virtual worlds to promote non-profit causes…
The Fake New York Times and Visions of Change
Whatever your political views, you have to admit that the Fake New York Times that was released in the wild this week was pretty brilliant transmedia political commentary. For me, the fake paper and website — while also very entertaining — is the perfect example of how a holistic political activist agenda can be made…
“America’s Diplomat” the MMO? Fer real?
Joseph DeLappe is most well known for his "Dead-in-Iraq" activism in the MMO "America’s Army." He’s been pissing off gamers for awhile now by going into the first-person-shooter and typing into open chat the names of all the service people killed in the line of duty in Iraq. Now’s he’s on to bigger and better…
Tiessa Montgolfier on Non-profits in Second Life
As part of the Mix-and-Match Second Life blog challenge, I threw into the ring the idea for a blog post: "Non-profits in Second Life." The lucky winner of this topic was Tiessa Montgolfier, who blogged about this on Vint Falken’s excellent SL site. Check it out here. Interesting and personal stuff. It’s a good reminder…
Photo tour of Global Kids HQ redesign
I’m super excited about the interior design work on the Global Kids headquarters in NYC that is being finished today. I came in early to document the new office elements while they are all pristine and clean. Gotta love all the inspiring quotes from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ways to…
Draxtor Despres getting Internews prize for Virtual Gitmo machinima story!
Just got this exciting news from my friend Second Life journalist Draxtor Despres: he has been awarded the "Every Human Has Rights" media award for his report on the "Virtual Gitmo" build in Second Life. Drax is heading to Paris, France, courtesy of news agency Internews to take part in a ceremony with 30 other…