#RSCN09 – Learning in Virtual Worlds conference: my thoughts

This post is my immediate feedback from the event at the University of Sunderland yesterday, details of which are here.

A great opportunity to find out more about Virtual Worlds, the issues involved and how best to use them. Also some excellent advice about how to help those in your organisation wishing to exploit VWs – i.e. do’s, don’ts, and how-tos [Enough abbreviations already – Ed.].

I met some really interesting folk, but was perhaps too busy with the technology to meet more people – there was a big turn-out, maybe 100 people+.

The following is a list of my live-blog posts for your convenience:

• John Kirriemuir keynote – Learning in Virtual Worlds Conference
• At Creative Arts in Second Life session with AngryBeth Shortbread
• Real Needs – Virtual Solutions
• The Legal Aspects of Virtual Worlds
• Virtual Worlds in Education – Keynote

I would like to record my sincere thanks to Paul Miller and Terry Docking of RSC Northern, who are e-Learning Advisors. They loaned me a laptop yesterday at very short notice so I could get on the University’s wireless network to live blog the sessions. Very impressive assistance and ongoing support from these guys – well done & thanks!

I will be updating the posts so there is a brief preamble so readers can find out about the live-blog without having to click on the Cover It Live player.

I have found at SXSW, and now at this VWs conference, that Live-blogging seems to be a surprisingly useful and interactive medium. I had comments yesterday in real time.

I also think that the combination of Blog, Twitter, and Cover It Live works well – perhaps with more notice, I would get more feedback. Thinking as I write this, perhaps it would be sensible to post before an event to say what I’m doing and how people can get involved. I also need to find out more re the CiL tool to get the most out of it.

Finally, a brief mention of why I was there: I have a historic interest in Virtual Worlds, and wrote a paper two years ago about the business opportunities for my previous employer in this area. So, it was a great chance to dip my toe in the waters again, and nice to see there is genuine interest, and a goodly-sized set of successes. :-D

Related posts:

1. Q&A session, summary to Learning in Virtual Worlds conference Short question & answer session with John Kirriemuir, Kate Boardman, and Daniel Livingstone from Sloodle. Q&A Session for VW Conference...
2. John Kirriemuir keynote – Learning in Virtual Worlds Conference John works for www.virtualworldwatch.net: “Surveying virtual world use in UK universities and colleges”, and lives in an annoying beautiful place...
3. Virtual Worlds in Education – Keynote The afternoon’s main presenation by Kate Boardman, with a very helpful exposition of how best to help those who come...
4. Justin in Virtual Worlds I was thinking that my activities relating to Virtual Worlds are beginning to bear fruit, in that I can go...
5. Are Virtual Worlds a Refuge from the Recession? PRESENTERS Lauren Bigelow – WeeWorld Maura Welch – WeeWorld DESCRIPTION Virtual worlds could be recession-proof because the economy won’t change...