Blended Realities: A Virtual Tour of Education in Second Life

Abstract

The educational use of Second Life’s online virtual world flourished in 2006. More than 100 universities and the New Media Consortium, with over 225 member universities, museums and research centers, have a presence in Second Life. This essay on education in a virtual world begins with a description of the context and concludes with a tour of the educational courses and educators who are teaching in this virtual world, including a list of the resources and organizations that make it possible. Examples of youth education programs and university activities characterize the face of education in Second Life and reflect the successful implementation of coursework in a virtual world.