2L Class Meeting

My class at EMU had a meeting in 2L where we ventured to various locations and eventually settled in for a sit down discussion. It was a little rough at first as we were figuring which members were able to have voice chat and which were stuck typing. I never got my voice chat up and running, but I was able to hear. It was also odd to engage people not knowing for sure who they were. In 2L you never know who is behind the avatar. However, if you can keep the names straight, in this class at least we knew who we were talking with. Each of the avatars have a bubble over their head giving their name, so naturally you get into the habit of looking there to identify people. What I did not expect was the crossover into real life. I was at the gym and caught my eyes looking over peoples heads as if their names should appear. I think this was a sign that I have spent too much time in 2L.

Anyway, the class went well. Our professor took us to some locations that I would have never thought to even look for, such as the Sistine Chapel, a psych unit, and Shakespeares Globe Theater. I could easily use a class visit to the Globe, as my class studies Shakespeare and the Globe itself! It was also to observe 2L being used by experienced users as my professor and a friend of his smoothly had discussions, quickly took pictures, traded items, and maneuvered themselves as well as teleporting the rest of the class. It helped me to realize the potential uses of 2L rather than just wandering around. I am excited to see where we go from here!

First Trip Into Second Life

I was dropped into Second Life, 2L, as if dropped from a spaceship onto a new planet. Things looked a little familiar, but unique in its own way. After my avatar, Fletch Felisimo, got to his feet, he was bumped by another newbie falling from the sky. I soon realized I would be better off getting out of the way. Walking was the next challenge. Although it seemed easy enough to use the arrow keys to navigate around, I was awkward at best. After walking into many walls, and into and out of a river, it eventually got better. I didn't feel too bad though, because I could see other avatars walking into things. See, where they drop you is on Orientation Island, where you learn how to use 2L, so you can imagine a group of new users bumping into eachother and asking eachother for advice. I eventually got to chat with an experienced 2L user and she took me around a little and showed me some sights. It was nice to quickly see beyond the walls of Orientation Island. I was a great motivator to work out the wrinkles of the basic functions.

With my initial trips into 2L, I quickly began thinking about ways to use this in the classroom. At very least, it is good tobe familiar with this tool that many of the students work with as well. Although, I have since learned that there is a teen 2L. That is probably a good thing, as I ran into a few chats that I would not want my classroom to be a part of. I looked forward to having my class meeting in 2L. It should be an interesting experience.

The Family

Daadoo Who

I am a teacher at heart. I have taught for ten years, mostly at the high school level. I teach the social sciences and love every minute of it, except of course the late nights of at home grading. That is certainly outweighed however, by the roll of the dice that happens every morning. You can never predict with certainty what any given day will bring you. I think it is inevitable when you are working with people who are dealing with social pressures, school demands, raging hormones, and all bring thier own personality to the table. I have to admit, though, the best lessons often are a product of the unpredictable behavior of the students. The trick is to run with what you are given, but in the direction of a lesson. I love seeing thier creativity and curiosity come through.

As much as I enjoy teaching, I have traded in my typical roster of 120 daily students for two. I am currently a stay at home dad. Please do not utter the phrase Mr. Mom. I hear that all too often and feel it really underminds working moms and dads who take on a new type of responsibility. My buddies initially joked about how great it would be to hang around home all the time, and they would do it in a second. However, usually when the jabbing ends I will hear from them personally that they don't think they could actually handle thier kids full time. It is difficult at times, and can make one feel segregated from adults who get to talk about professional issues and grown up things instead of being immersed in childhood play and stories. But I am aware that this time in my kids lives is going to come and go before I know it, and when it does, there will be a classroom of students much like the ones I walked away from to go home.

I have a seven year old daughter, and a three year old son. I have been at home since my son was born. When he began talking, he preferred an animated, drawn out, "DaaaaDooo" to the typical DaDa. It sounded hysterical, but he had no idea how entertaining it was. Or perhaps he did, and that is why it continued for so long. It has been an amazing few years with them. I feel truly fortunate that I have the opportunity to spend this time with them and see them grow, rather than just provide a house and food and usher them around. My wife, although grateful that one of us is home, is envious. I try to keep this in perspective at those challenging times and remember that at least I am not grading papers.