Yesterday, I tried a learning experiment.
I created an avatar and entered Second Life (SL) for the first time.
Above is my first snapshot in SL.
The day before I had watched a video from the K12 Online Conference, explaining how new users are oriented to Second Life.
Orientation in Second Life. (I don't think I finished watching the vid, because I had to go out for parking lot duty, and once I returned it was Friday after school, so I wanted to depart.) The last part of the presentation was about a graduate student's project trying to create a better orientation system for new users. From his part of the presentation alone, I learned how to move my avatar once I was in SL.
Once I had my avatar created, I ended up rejecting the idea that I had to go to orientation at all, and went to the destination I sought. It was an educational island, so on the weekend no one was there except myself. How did I learn?
- I used trial and error.
- I explored anything that looked interesting to me.
- I went wherever I wanted to go.
- I took my time.
- I tried whatever I wanted to try.
I can report that my learning experience was a good one. I was able to play 2 videos (both human and avatar characters explaining various features of the island), change my clothes when freebies were offered (just after my accidental plunge in the ocean, I suspect), explore 4 different areas on this island, experience both rain and snow, take several snapshots of my avatar, walk, sit, talk (still learning about this aspect), teleport, and fly!
I have more to learn on my next visit, but I feel properly oriented, and ready, now, to interact with others when I encounter them.
