WordPress

Since I moved my main blog, 4R x T, to WordPress, I've been pretty happy with how it's working. I like the header I created. I also like the fact that my latest del.icio.us bookmarks are posted to my blog automatically every day. Unfortunately, I have to go in and change the category, but at least they get posted. I couldn't figure out how to do that with Blogger. I also don't miss having to type in a verification word--usually twice--every time I wanted to post an entry when I was using Blogger. (I don't have to do that with my other Blogger blogs, so I don't know what the problem is.) I also lost the videos and presentations that were embedded in the blog when I imported it to WordPress, but the links are still there.

Webvolution: From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 to Web 3Di

4R x T Moved to WordPress

I've moved my main blog, 4R x T, to WordPress. If you want to continue reading about my adventures in educational technology, please go to http://4rxt.wordpress.com/.

Presenting at Conferences

I've been thinking lately that I'd like to try presenting at a conference or two next year. There are a few scheduled that I should be able to attend:

1. Colorado TELECOOP, April 16-18, Breckenridge (proposals due January 26)
2. Colorado Community College Conference on Composition, April 18, Greeley (proposals due January 31)
3. Teaching with Technology Idea Exchange 2008, June 5-6, Orem, Utah (proposals due Feburary 1)

Obviously, I'll have to choose between the TELECOOP Conference and the 5Cs. Why did they have to schedule them at the same time?

Hallelujah!

Our team has finished our presentation for IT 6750. It was great working with Alex and Blake to analyze the trend of using virtual worlds, specifically Second Life, in higher education and corporate training.

Audacity and Trend Analysis

I've been learning how to use Audacity, a free audio editor and recorder. I can record an audio track, cut off the extra time at the beginning and end, and insert the file into a PowerPoint slide. I'm doing this for our trend analysis on Second Life.

I had planned to use this blog as a research journal for the project, but we ended up creating a wiki.

Another Prensentation on SL in Higher Ed

Muve'in On Over

From: intellagirl, 3 weeks ago

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Presentation for the 2007 Serious Games Forum at Purdue University


SlideShare Link

Presentation on Second Life and Education

I have to confess that I haven't watched the presentation yet, but I'm sure that if Laura was involved, it will be very informative.

From: sorry.afk, 1 day ago

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SlideShare Link

CSI: New York and Second Life

I finally got around to watching the episode of CSI: New York from last week that was supposed to portray Second Life. One question kept going through my head: Had anyone involved in producing the episode actually ever been in Second Life? It certainly didn't seem so.

The avatars and sims did look like ones that could exist in Second Life. However, the CSI characters' avatars did things that I've certainly never seen avatars do: find out from a white rabbit (or anyone else) where a particular avatar is currently located, walk off in synch while holding hands, teleport together to a different location, assemble a crowd on the spur of the moment for any kind of activity, pick something up with a hand.

I'm afraid this show is only going to make it harder for educators to convince administrators and students that Second Life is different from violent computer games.

Results of Research on Virtual Worlds

This week, I've found the following blog posts and websites about Second Life:

1. Another review of There
2. A review of Gaia Online
3. Virtual Worlds Review--not updated since Feb. 20, 2006, includes list of virtual worlds by category
4. "The Virtual World That Started It All"
5. OnRez Viewer: "OnRez Viewer, First Impression," "Electric Sheep's OnRez viewer - first impressions"

On Wednesday night, CBS aired an episode of CSI: NY featuring Second Life. I recorded it but haven't had the time to watch it yet.