Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting
July 20, 2012, 8:30 AM SLT / PST
Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Plush%20Nonprofit%20Commons/88/126/26
AGENDA
8:30 AM Introductions
8:40 AM TechSoup Announcements
8:45 AM Mentors Central
9:55 Universal Design for Learning Spaces in Virtual Worlds with Blu Heron / Wanda Hardy of the International Society for Technology (ISTE)
9:30 AM Open Mic / Announcements
http://nonprofitcommons.org
http://techsoup.org
Thank you Ozma for the chatlog!
– Unabridged Transcript –
Introductions
[08:31] Glitteractica Cookie: Good morning all
[08:32] CarmenLittleFawn: GM everybody 🙂
[08:32] Zotarah Shepherd: Good morning
[08:32] Glitteractica Cookie: Zinnia is not here today, so we are going to lead the meeting
[08:32] Glitteractica Cookie: Let’s get started in the usual fashion.
[08:32] Glitteractica Cookie: Welcome to the nonprofit commons in Second Life meeting, brought to you by us, TechSoup Global!
[08:33] Glitteractica Cookie: Please say your real name, nonprofit affiliation, location that you are sitting in the physical world, URL, twitter handle (if ou tweet) and anything else you’d like to add
[08:33] Buffy Beale: Buffy Bye, Bridges for Women, Victoria BC Canada, http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca @bridges4women
[08:33] HB Eternal: Harold W Becker, The Love Foundation, Florida, http://www.thelovefoundation.com @lovefoundation
[08:33] Jen: Bruce Hestley, Transgender American Veterans Association, Akron, OH, http://www.tavausa.org
[08:33] Chad Mikado: Chad Mikado; National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP); UMass Boston; www.serviceandinclusion.org
[08:33] HB Eternal: Buffy Rocks!
[08:33] Buffy Beale: lol HB caught you napping 🙂
[08:33] Ethelred Weatherwax: Dave Dexter, Neenah Historical Society, Wisconsin USA
[08:33] Dancers Yao: Kara Bennett, Elder Voices, Los Angeles, CA Health Care and Human Rights www.eldervoices.net
[08:33] Ronnie Rhode: Denise Harrison, The Garden for the Missing, http://www.gardenforthemissing.org/ and SLURL Remora (203,148,21), Project Jason, assistance for families of the missing,
[08:34] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability, Inc. (Corporate offices in Aurora CO but all are safe today) www.virtualability.org
[08:34] bulaklak: Michael DeLong, San Francisco, CA, United States, Online Community Manager, TechSoup Global, www.techsoup.org, @MichaelDeLongSF @TechSoup
[08:34] Jerry Buchko: Jerry Buchko | Counseling, Coaching, & Tutoring in Personal Finances via Telepresence (Private Practice) | Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA | http://www.linkedin.com/jerrybuchko | @jerrybuchko
[08:34] Glitteractica Cookie: Susan Tenby, Online Community and social media director, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, CA USA @suzboop @techsoup @npsl
[08:34] Zotarah Shepherd: BEACH College, Santa Rosa, CA
[08:34] Brena Benoir: Brenda Bryan, Preferred Family Healthcare, Kirksville, Missouri, www.pfh.org, @brenabenoir
[08:34] Ozma Malibu: Sandy Andrews, Floaters Org, technology outreach to those without access. Arizona, Mexico and On the Road. @ozma
[08:35] Angelbell: University Professor in electronics.IUSF.Venezuela
[08:35] alebez: Ale Bezdikian, Online Community Coordinator, TechSoup, SF, CA @TechSoup, @alebez
[08:35] Gentle Heron: Ohhhhh Angelbell may win the prize for most distant participant today!
[08:35] Angelbell: yes I am 🙂
[08:35] CarmenLittleFawn: Lorna Hawkins, Los Angeles, CA Drive By Agony/keeping kids safe, lornah.wix.com/keepingkidssafe, a work still in progress
[08:35] Jerry Buchko: yes 😀
[08:36] Jen: Jacque might show up
[08:36] Glitteractica Cookie: any more introductions?
[08:36] Glitteractica Cookie: If you haven’t already introduced yourself, please do so now
[08:36] Blu Heron: I’m here…Blu Heron from Sacramento, CA
[08:36] Blu Heron: I’m presenting UDL today for you
[08:36] Buffy Beale: yay Blu!
[08:37] Jerry Buchko: hi Blue 😀
[08:37] Gentle Heron: Yay BLU!
[08:37] Blu Heron: waves to all
[08:37] Angelbell: 🙂
[08:37] Glitteractica Cookie: If you haven’t already done so, last call to Please say your real name, nonprofit affiliation, location that you are sitting in the physical world, URL, twitter handle (if ou tweet) and anything else you’d like to add
TechSoup Announcements
[08:38] Glitteractica Cookie: ok, then it’s time to pass the mic to Bulaklak, our fearless Senior Manager of Online Community and Social Media
[08:38] Glitteractica Cookie: Bulaklak, can you share some updates with the group?
[08:38] bulaklak: Surely.
[08:38] bulaklak: I think I probably have a fear or two but thanks for the nice intro.
[08:38] Glitteractica Cookie: 😉
[08:38] Buffy Beale: you rock bulaklak
[08:39] bulaklak: First, here are the many ways you all can stay connected with the Nonprofit Commons
[08:39] Jerry Buchko: 😉
[08:39] bulaklak: Here are the many ways to can get involved with
Nonprofit Commons in Second Life:
Nonprofit Commons blog: nonprofitcommons.org
Wiki: npsl.wikispaces.com
Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/TechSoup-Second-Life
NPC Video
http://bit.ly/draxtorNPCvid
TechSoup:
http://www.techsoup.org/tools/howtousetechsoup/
http://flavors.me/techsoup
http://flavors.me/nonprofitcommons
Weekly Networking Event: Wharf Ratz, Aloft,
Tuesdays, 7pm SLT
Aloft Nonprofit Commons (168,223,23)
Monthly Networking Event (3rd Thursday):
Common Ground, Plush, 5PM SLT
Plush Nonprofit Commons (128,229,26)
Calendar: http://bit.ly/2tMEY
[08:39] Glitteractica Cookie: all of our chat logs and links and all this stuff is located on our wiki
[08:39] Glitteractica Cookie: npsl.wikispaces.com
[08:40] bulaklak: Next, I want to talk about an upcoming webinar at TechSoup I think y’all will be particularly excited about.
[08:40] bulaklak: We talk a lot about virtual learning here so it’s my pleasure to announce a webinar on how to give excellent online tutorials
[08:40] bulaklak: And, this is with none other than a very good friend of TechSoup, Janet Fouts
[08:41] bulaklak: I’ve been to her webinars before and she is a VERY good trainer
[08:41] bulaklak: That is coming up on July 26 at 11am PT
[08:41] bulaklak: And you can register for that and learn more about it here
[08:41] bulaklak: http://bit.ly/Mrs9bP
[08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: more on janet @jfouts on twitter or janetfouts.com
[08:42] Jen: Just use it here
[08:42] Jerry Buchko: sounds intriguing 😀
[08:43] bulaklak: I also want to talk to you very briefly about our TechSoup discussion forums. We’re in the middle of a bit of a reorganization of our categories, and we’re on the lookout for smart, helpful folks who like to answer questions and share their tech expertise with the social benefit community
[08:43] bulaklak: We call these folks Stars, Gems, and Hosts on the forums
[08:43] bulaklak: And they are a bit like the Mentors are here
[08:44] bulaklak: I won’t say a ton about it today, but sometime in the next month or so, we will have our Forums Manager Jayne Cravens come and give a short talk about our forums and the path to Stardom there
[08:44] bulaklak: Jayne is a consummate volunteer manager and all around amazing person
[08:44] Jerry Buchko: when you say forums, do you mean your Google Group(s)?
[08:44] bulaklak: Oh good question Jerry
[08:44] bulaklak: These are our discussion boards on TEchSoup
[08:45] bulaklak: let me get you the link
[08:45] bulaklak: http://bit.ly/tsforums
[08:45] bulaklak: There you go!
[08:45] Jerry Buchko: thanks
[08:45] bulaklak: We’ll set a date and time for Jayne to come
[08:46] bulaklak: And in the meantime you can check out the forums and look for Jayne on Twitter at @jcravens42
[08:46] bulaklak: and online her blog is Coyote Communications
[08:46] bulaklak: She’s always on about something good
[08:46] bulaklak: http://www.coyotecommunications.com/
[08:46] bulaklak: Okie doke, folks! Those are my updates for today.
[08:47] bulaklak: Enjoy the talk and your weekends!
[08:47] Jen: Thanks bulaklak
[08:47] Glitteractica Cookie: any updates from u, Alebez?
[08:47] alebez: 🙂 bulaklak has it covered as usual
[08:47] Glitteractica Cookie: ok, good
Mentor Central
[08:48] Glitteractica Cookie: Now it’s time to give the stage over to our fabulous volunteer mentors! Mentors, welcome!
[08:48] JenJen waving to the crowd
[08:48] Buffy Beale: Yayyy Jen!
[08:48] Gentle Heron: YAY Jen! Your presentations are always excellent.
[08:48] CarmenLittleFawn: hey Jen
[08:48] Jen: Thank you
[08:48] Tiki4: wooohoooo go Jen
[08:48] Zotarah Shepherd: Yay Jen
[08:48] Jerry Buchko: woot! 😀
[08:49] Jen: Zinnia asked me to do something on the tools in the Techsoup toolbox
[08:49] Glitteractica Cookie: yes
[08:49] Jen: If you don’t have one, get on over to their office and pick one up
[08:49] Glitteractica Cookie: updating it is the goal
[08:49] Jen: So, today, I’m doing one on the Visitor Counter
[08:49] Jen: Something I use since our board sometimes asks what the impact of SL is for us
[08:50] Zotarah Shepherd: Good
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: Created 120718
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: Created for Nonprofit Commons Mentor’s Corner
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: by Jenelle Levenque
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: A. Purpose
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: To introduce you to a useful tool the “NPC – Visitor Counter with email function” The description states it “Detects avatars and keeps time.
[08:50] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: B. Functions of the Visitor Counter
[08:50] Jen: BTW, I’m using another tool to do the presentation so I don’t have to cut and paste
[08:51] Jen: But thats another time
[08:51] Gentle HeronGentle Heron smiles
[08:51] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 1) Detect an avatar within a range set by the owner.
[08:51] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 2) Check for avatar presence on a time interval set by owner.
[08:51] Jen: If you look between Oama and Zotarah you will see a little gizmo
[08:51] Jen: This is a visitor counter
[08:52] Jen: You set the range for detection and how often it checks
[08:52] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 3) Record the name of the avatar and the time, SLT.
[08:52] Jen: It records the name of the visitor
[08:52] Jen: I use this to get back to them later if I’m not iin the office
[08:52] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 4) Record the name only one time. If an avatar leaves and returns, the name is recorded one time.
[08:52] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 5) Maintain the “name” of the location.
[08:52] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 6) Send the list to an email address at an appropriate interval. When list is emailed, the list will be reset.
[08:53] Jen: If you have more than one location, you can name the counter
[08:53] Jen: You can arrange for an email with the current list of names
[08:53] Jen: This is optional
[08:53] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: C. Commands
[08:53] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 1) “say list”
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) If you are in chat range, the script will say the list to local chat. This will let you see who has been in your office.
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 2) “reset list”
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) clears the list and starts over.
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 3) “email list”
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) to send the list via email and clear the list.
[08:54] Jen: This forces an email otherwise the email is sent on a schedule that you set in the script
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) The email address must be in the script.
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 4) “help”
[08:54] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) will give you a list of the commands.
[08:55] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) Only the owner may use the Counter commands.
[08:55] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: D. Notes
[08:55] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 1) Remember it searches a radius
[08:55] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) The office may have “blind spots”.
[08:55] Gentle Heron: be sure you include the door
[08:55] Jen: since the offices are square and the search is a radius, you may not reach the corners
[08:55] Jen: Make sure it covers your doors
[08:55] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) may record avatars outside your office.
[08:56] Jen: if the radius is too large, you might get people who don’t actually walk in
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 2) There are other tools that may provide this functionality, but this one is first, free.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 3) The script is full perms so you can modify it to suit yourself.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) You will have to edit the script to provide the necessary configuration information.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) Should you modify the script, please share with your neighbors at Nonprofit Commons.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 4) I use it to record the names of people who come by the office.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) The owner’s name will not be recorded.
[08:56] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 5) I look up the avatars
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) I send them a personal IM thanking them for stopping by.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) I give them our business card.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: c) If the avatar is less than 60 days, I also offer to help them with their Second Life questions.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: E) Summary
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 1) Make a record of your visitors and contact those who come by while no one is in the office.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: 2) You will find other very useful tools in the tool box.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: a) Take a look and find those that are useful to you,
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: b) Questions? Ask your local neighborhood mentor.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: c) Share your thoughts and ideas with us.
[08:57] Jenelle’s Presentation HUD: d) More on other tools later.
[08:57] Jen: Thank you
[08:58] Buffy Beale: cheering, great info Jen thanks!
[08:58] Jerry Buchko: Awesome! 😀
[08:58] Jen: Just be careful about going to Wharf Ratz on Tues
[08:58] Namaara MacMoragh: Yay! Thank you Jen!
[08:58] Gentle Heron: Thank YOU Jen. Very nice brief summary.
[08:58] Jen: That’s how I got this job
[08:58] Buffy Beale: lol
[08:58] Tiki4: you go girl
[08:58] Zotarah Shepherd: ♥(`’•.¸(`’•.¸ * ¸.•’´)¸.•’´)♥
[08:58] Zotarah Shepherd: Yayyyy!!! Well done!!!
[08:58] Zotarah Shepherd: ♥(¸.•’´(¸.•’´ * `’•.¸)`’•.¸)♥
[08:58] Gentle Heron: HAHAHAHA now we know…. but Jen you are good at this.
[08:58] Angelbell: Thanks for your information Jen
[08:58] Jerry Buchko: Yes very good 🙂
[08:58] Chad Mikado: I agree
[08:58] Jen: There are a lot of tools
[08:58] Zotarah Shepherd: Thanks Jen
[08:58] Ozma Malibu: thank you!!!
[08:59] CarmenLittleFawn: Thank you 🙂
[08:59] Glitteractica Cookie: Thanks
[08:59] Gentle HeronGentle Heron thinks Jen will be in this business a good long time
[08:59] JenJen stands up and bows
[09:00] Jen: Thank you, thank you, thank you
[09:00] Jerry Buchko: 😀
[09:00] Jen: No applause, just throw money
[09:00] bulaklak: lol
[09:00] Jerry Buchko: lol
Universal Design for Learning Spaces in Virtual Worlds with Blu Heron / Wanda Hardy of the International Society for Technology (ISTE)
[09:00] Glitteractica Cookie: And now, we have our featured guest!
[09:00] CarmenLittleFawn: hehehe
[09:00] Glitteractica Cookie: Blu Heron / Wanda Hardy will join us at the Nonprofit Commons to talk about Universal Design in Learning (UDL) and share the key points of a professional learning “package” that bundles Virtual World (VW) accessibility issues, resources, and workshop-style activities for engaging educators in collaborative solutions inworld.
It is impossible to create a virtual classroom that is usable by everyone, in all situations. It is possible to use an UDL process that results in products, environments, and experiences that are usable for the largest group of people in a VW and effects differentiated teaching and differentiated learning.
About Blu:
Blu Heron / Wanda Hardy earned her Masters of Education, Educational Technology, Sacramento State University, CA. Her involvement in education spans many years and includes: 16 years teaching high school sciences; 17 years as a community educator, web site developer, and software tester for an electrical utility; and volunteer mentor in Second Life (SL)
[09:01] Glitteractica Cookie: Give it up for Blu Heron!
[09:01] Zotarah Shepherd: Yay Blu!
[09:01] Buffy Beale: cheering!
[09:01] CarmenLittleFawn: yay
[09:01] Gentle HeronGentle Heron adds a note: Blu is my SL “cousin”, not my alt as was rumored recently at VWBPE.
[09:01] Glitteractica Cookie: Blu, please take the stage
[09:01] Jerry Buchko: lol
[09:01] Blu Heron: ty!..give me a sec to get my stuff rezzed out….
[09:01] Zotarah Shepherd: hehe
[09:01] CarmenLittleFawn: giggles
[09:01] Jen: ********APPPLLLAAAUUUSSSEEE********
[09:01] Zotarah Shepherd: 28 on the sim
[09:02] Blu Heron: Thank you, for inviting me.
And thanks to all of you for choosing to attend this session.
I hope you find something useful today.
[09:03] Blu Heron: I usually deliver this presentation in text chat, voice, and with graphics (to model my message of differentiated teaching and learning).
For this reason you will see descriptions for the slides in chat. For example,
[09:03] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Presentation date, time, location. Image of human finger touching virtual finger from laptop.
[09:03] Blu Heron: Often presenters will have others transcribe (either voice to text or text to voice) during the presentation. Voice is not activated on this sim, so that mode of content delivery is not available for this presentation today.
[09:03] Glitteractica Cookie: but are you doing this presentation in chat only
[09:03] Blu Heron: Presentation is available on Note Card today:
Click the box next to me to get a folder of information about today’s presentation.
Look in Recent Items for a folder named UDL Presentation.
[09:04] Glitteractica Cookie: today? We do this for accessibility reasons, and so we an keep a record of our meetings
[09:04] Gentle Heron: Thanks, Blu, for all the “stuff”
[09:04] UDL Presentation – Nonprofit Commons, July 20, 2012 owned by Blu Heron gave you ‘UDL Presentation – Nonprofit Commons, July 20, 2012’ ( Plush Nonprofit Commons (115,125,21) ).
[09:04] Blu Heron: I will try to keep my talking to 15 minutes, so there will be time at the end for your questions. Please keep questions out of chat until then. The reason I ask is because it can be confusing to sort out different threads of conversation in chat, especially for newcomers and for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.
[09:05] Blu Heron: I personally don’t like nc readers and don’t use them, so my chat will not be in green today.
[09:05] Blu Heron: ;D
[09:05] Blu Heron: A bit more about me.
SLIDE: Blu Heron image
January 28. 2007 – Blu Heron avatar created in SL.
I discovered virtual worlds and Second Life during coursework for my Masters in Educational Technology at California State University, Sacramento, California (CSUS).
[09:05] jacmacaire Humby: Hi everyone.. Sorry for the late.. Problem to connect from FranceHi everyone Sorrry for the late.. problem to connect from France
[09:05] Blu Heron: SLIDE: UDL cover screen
Wanda Hardy Masters project cover page: Universal Design Considerations for Learning Spaces in Virtual Worlds.
[09:06] Blu Heron: SLIDE: California map with California State University logo.
[09:06] Blu Heron: PROJECT BACKGROUND
Today’s presentation is based on a project for my culminating experience that I completed in 2010, Universal Design Considerations for Learning Spaces in Virtual Worlds.
[09:06] Blu Heron: some here may be educators, and some not, but the information is of value to all who work in public and social spaces
[09:07] Blu Heron: My project was to create a professional learning “package” that bundles VW accessibility issues, key UDL principles, resources, and workshop-style activities for engaging educators in collaborative solutions in-world.
[09:07] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Illustration of Facilitator’s Guide and Workshop User’s Guide.
PROJECT CONTENT OVERVIEW
Two major documents evolved:
1. A workshop Facilitators Guide
2. A workshop User’s Guide
[09:07] Blu Heron: The Facilitator’s Guide suggests time frames and provides guidelines and checklists to help you plan, deliver, and follow up a professional learning experience for your staff.
[09:07] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Sample checklist from Facilitator’s Guide Checklist
I included resources specific to workshop leader roles, tips for trouble-shooting workshop problems, and assessment. Pre-workshop and post workshop materials are included.
[09:07] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Sample page from Facilitator’s Guide
Each section in the User’s Workshop Guide has a correlating section in the Facilitator’s guide:
Goals and objectives
Supplemental workshop content
Suggested time frame
Sample files and Worksheets
[09:08] jacmacaire Humby: Jacques Macaire HUMANBE http://www.humanbe.com Action Tank and Council on Sustainable Development France and International @Humanbe
[09:08] Blu Heron: these materials were designed for an education district to provide teacher training for virtual world teaching, but could be useful to train any staff who works with groups in Sl
[09:08] Blu Heron: or other virtual worlds
[09:09] Blu Heron: sorry I think some were advancing my slides..let me find the slide again!
[09:10] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Suggested agenda for a workshop section.
Experienced educators in SL have indicated short workshops in a series are more desirable that extended sessions.
Workshop is delivered in a series of 1.5 – 3 hour sessions.
[09:10] Blu Heron: Workshop agendas are offered as outlines for you to customize to meet your needs.
The Workshop User’s Guide content can be approached sequentially or examined by topics that meet your staff training needs.
[09:11] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Excerpt from VW Viewers activity
I focused on areas of the virtual world experience where Universal Design principles can be used to enhance the experience for all users. Thus, the Workshop User’s Guide is organized into five major sections:
[09:11] Blu Heron: Introduction
Virtual World Viewers
Communication in VWs
Navigating VWs
Building Design in VWs
[09:11] Blu Heron: Each section has similar organization:
Presentation of the content
Suggested reading
Key ideas summary
Group Activity
Reflection and/or self-assessment
[09:11] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Universal Design Playground layout
UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS APPLICABLE TO ANY VIRTUAL WORLD
[09:12] Blu Heron: I presented this project at the VWBPE 2012 conference in SL, and created an informational and interactive UDL Playground for the conference.
[09:12] Blu Heron: And I invite you to experience the UDL Playground this week at its temporary location: SLURL: Tranquility Station (205,143,1046)
You have the SLURL and LM in the session folder.
[09:12] Blu Heron: Although my original project was directed to the educational community, the principles are applicable to any build in a virtual world where people meet to learn and socialize.
[09:12] Blu Heron: For this presentation (and the UDL Playground), I selected key ideas and a sampling of the interactive vignettes that I think you can easily apply in your own virtual classrooms, meeting places, and other venues right now.
[09:13] Blu Heron: SLIDE: What is UDL?
It all begins with an understanding that Universal Design in Learning (UDL) is a process that identifies and develops instruction (differentiated teaching) to meet diversity in student learning (differentiated learning).
[09:13] Blu Heron: learning is not restricted in Sl to formal universities…
[09:13] Blu Heron: any social meeting where people interact, learning is happening
[09:14] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Why Use UDL?
It’s good pedagogy!
It’s the law for many educational entitites and other public spaces.
It results in a better shared experience for everyone; it’s more than disability accommodation.
[09:15] Blu Heron: so Universal Design makes the virtual expereince more enjoyable for all..it’s not just about disability acces.
[09:15] Blu Heron: I think designing spaces in virtual worlds is not unlike the considerations you would take for good web design.
[09:16] Blu Heron: you consider diability acces, certainly, but also the users connection speed and client software, whether they have color blindness, ormaybe even use a non-graphical device…
[09:16] Blu Heron: Smartphones!
[09:16] Blu Heron: one more thing about differentiated learning…
[09:17] Blu Heron: Another explanation details the UDL process as follows:
A) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and
(B) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient (Edyburn, 2010).
[09:17] Glitteractica Cookie: i wonder when they’re gonna make an app for mobile phones and tablets that works with SL
[09:17] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Sample activity
UDL principles are applicable to the virtual classroom (and other meeting spaces).
There is not time to go through an activity entirely in a short informational session.
So I have included the complete text for Activity #1 in the note card. I encourage you to get together and try the activity: read each scenario and discuss each presentation method.
[09:17] Glitteractica Cookie: Anshe Chung’s app doesn’t work
[09:18] Glitteractica Cookie: mobile design for virtual worlds seems far off
[09:18] Chad Mikado: @Glitteractica- I have a “Metaverse” app on my iphone that allows some access into SL
[09:18] Blu Heron: think about how the presentation of the contnet is different, how different users might use it or not be able to use it
[09:18] Glitteractica Cookie: really chad, i will check it out
[09:18] Blu Heron: the UDL playground has an exhibit on other connection devices…pleae visit and try it if you can
[09:19] Chad Mikado: cool. FYI, it’s just okay
[09:19] Blu Heron: it is hard to keep it all updated with the latest viewers and devices.
[09:19] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Excerpt from VW Viewers activity.
Another activity encourages workshop participants to log in with a text-based viewer and interact with various vignettes. You can experience for yourself at the UDL PLayground.
[09:19] Blu Heron: EXAMPLE:
View each scene in a graphical viewer. Then log in with a text-based viewer and revisit the mesh, media on a prim, and chairs in the vignette.
[09:20] Blu Heron: SLIDE: UDL Playground Example, Delivering Content
Voice, text, and graphics convey information in SL.
[09:20] Blu Heron: When graphics or text can’t be seen, then information needs to be given in descriptive audio recording or voice.
Presentations in voice need text (note card) alternatives or transcription to text chat. Plain text is best for non-graphical viewers.
[09:20] Blu Heron: That’s what I have attempted to do in this presentation!
[09:21] Blu Heron: Vocie is not available here and could be an issue for some.
[09:21] Blu Heron: I have thought about that.
[09:21] Blu Heron: Perhaps if some users in your virtual space nee dto have the content in voice, you could use Skype.
[09:21] Blu Heron: That would take some pre-planning for you nad your users.
[09:22] Carl Solutionary: Question: Is there a website where your UDL resources are posted? Thx
[09:22] Blu Heron: SLIDE: UDL Playground Example, Name Objects
Some non-graphical viewers allow additional functions such as taking objects into inventory or sitting on an object.
[09:22] Blu Heron: Default name of a prim is “Object.”
User actions can only be completed if objects have a useful name and can be distinguished from one another.
EASY FIX: Give your prim objects a descriptive name that can be understood by all users (in all viewers).
[09:22] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Avatar persona
For some people in Second Life the persona of their avatar is very significant.
The 3-d representation of the person helps define who they are.
For example some students choose to have their avatar in a wheelchair or blind students will use a virtual seeing-eye dog or cane to navigate.
[09:23] Blu Heron: Do you have seating for Tinies?
[09:23] Blu Heron: How will you accommodate diversity in the virtual space?
[09:23] Jerry Buchko: (Hmm.. but what about the language barrier?)
[09:23] Blu Heron: nods… that too.
[09:24] Blu Heron: the Translators available are not ideal for translating.
[09:24] Blu Heron: so this would be another time to consider transcribers if you know you will have a specific language need
[09:24] Jerry Buchko: Yes, was thinking also about naming of objects.
[09:25] Blu Heron: ahhh…yes!
[09:25] Blu Heron: that is something to think about a solution.
[09:25] Jerry BuchkoJerry Buchko nods.
[09:25] Blu Heron: think about that for a while and we can take some ideas at the end
[09:25] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Student perceptions and preferences for room design
Environmental surroundings, seating, floor and wall design, windows, and lighting contribute to suitability of learning spaces in VWs.
[09:25] Blu Heron: In one recent study both graduate and undergraduate students expressed a high satisfaction for rectangular room shape, circular seating, uncluttered walls and surroundings, and 50% window lighting (Saleeb & Dafoulas, 2010).
[09:26] Blu Heron: There are no design regulations for building a virtual classroom. It’s up to you!
Try out the model rooms in the UDL Playground.
You can click the ceilings, inside walls, and floors to change the textures.
[09:26] Blu Heron: I say classroom here, but it can refer to any social space
[09:26] Blu Heron: Notice the difference between doors. Phantom or non-phantom is a decision you need to consider for different areas of your building.
[09:27] Blu Heron: at teh UDL Playground room examples, you may have a copy of the chair rezzing tables in the rooms, but think about if there might be some drawback to using them.
[09:28] Blu Heron: another important thing to consider is motion or anything that causes a sense of motion to the users. Also, bright lights (glow) and flashing textures
[09:28] 01 Hifeng: you think about all details 🙂
[09:28] 01 Hifeng: so interesting
[09:28] Blu Heron: SLIDE: It is possible to follow a Universal Design (UD) process in your learning and social spaces in SL.
It‘s impossible to create a virtual classroom which is usable by everyone, in all situations.
[09:28] Blu Heron: However, it is possible to follow a Universal Design (UD) process that results in products, environments, and experiences that are usable for the largest group of people.
[09:28] Blu Heron: I hope this information is useful and encourages you to consider VW accessibility and usability issues when plan or redesign your social spaces in SL and other VWs.
I encourage you to take the responsibility for making your virtual world spaces accessible and usable for all – don’t leave it all to the users!
[09:29] Blu Heron: SLIDE: Sojourner Auditorium at VAI
Virtual Ability Island is an exemplar for UDL.
Kudos to Nonprofit Commons for your meeting space! It is uncluttered, open, and includes ramps in the building design.
[09:29] Jerry Buchko: Yes, very useful! 😀
[09:29] Chad Mikado: props to Sojourner and VAI!
[09:29] Blu Heron: That is enough from me! Any quick questions or comments?
[09:30] Ozma Malibu: Beautifully done, Blue. This is so exciting & I will visit & maybe sometime we can have a field trip to the playground
[09:30] Ozma Malibu: Is it still true that the cal state system cannot, by law, use any new technologies that are not accessible? I remember meeting the CTO in RL, at a conference in Florida. I had a very small presentation on accessibility (8 participants, mostly special ed teachers, who reviewed SL for accessibility issues and possible directions in which we might help drive the technology. (ha.) Then later I met him in SL as well! But that was years ago.
[09:30] Dallas Trefoil: Very good presentation. Thank you!
[09:30] Blu Heron: yes, please do! If you want me to be there I am happy to do so, or you are welcome to visit on your own
[09:30] Ozma Malibu: thanks!
[09:30] Gentle Heron: Thank you Blu for explaining what is “universal” about “univeral design.”
[09:31] CarmenLittleFawn: OM Goodness yes Blu this is most valuable information as I think at contemplate what has happen this morning in Aurora, Colorado this is very valuable information and I thank you so very much for taking the time to create and present this to us today 🙂
[09:31] Angelbell: good information…love it
[09:31] Blu Heron: this is a temporary location (probably for about three weeks)
[09:31] bulaklak: I had not heard of Universal Design but now I am very curious to know more!
[09:31] Blu Heron: you can always IM me and I can let you know the location
[09:31] CarmenLittleFawn: I see great possibilities in usage
[09:31] Blu Heron: great!
[09:31] Chad Mikado: do you have UD guidelines for all kinds of “virtual” presentations (conference call, webinar, etc.), more than just SL
[09:32] Ozma Malibu: Is it still true that the cal state system cannot, by law, use any new technologies that are not accessible?
[09:32] Chad Mikado: I really like these guidelines you spell out and would like to apply to this to other kinds of online intereaction
[09:32] Blu Heron: after researching…and I need to continue to research…I would say the best guideslines are to make your material avaialble in as many media modes as possible
[09:32] Blu Heron: what ever the type of event or space
[09:32] CarmenLittleFawn: yes 🙂
[09:33] Blu Heron: know your users.
[09:33] Ozma Malibu: Great, thorough guidelines.
[09:33] Dallas Trefoil: with clear directions to each mode (as you say, label objects).
[09:33] CarmenLittleFawn: you are awesome Blu 🙂 again ty
[09:33] Blu Heron: I teach building classes at Builders Brewery in Sl…some of my students have indicated to me they have problems reading and/or have dyslexia
[09:33] Blu Heron: when they request it, I teach using voice too
[09:34] Zotarah Shepherd: I have also heard that Qzma
[09:34] Blu Heron: ty for having me!
[09:34] CarmenLittleFawn: very nice
[09:34] Blu Heron: It was fun and I appreciate the opportunity to share my information
[09:34] Buffy Beale: that was fantastic thanks!
[09:34] Blu Heron: did everyone get a folder with the session materials?
[09:34] Blu Heron: in the yellow box bedise me
[09:34] Buffy Beale: yes thanks
[09:34] Namaara MacMoragh: thank you Blu… great presentation… and thank you for the materials.
[09:34] Glitteractica Cookie: maybe you could do some accessibility audits for spaces in the NPC
[09:34] Chad Mikado: yes
[09:35] Zotarah Shepherd: Yep
[09:35] CarmenLittleFawn: Yes
[09:35] Angelbell: yes
[09:35] Dancers Yao: yes thank you
[09:35] Blu Heron: lol….I think Gentle Heron and othe VAI residents could help youon htat
[09:35] Zotarah Shepherd: Great idea to do audits
[09:35] Glitteractica Cookie: OK, thanks for the presentation
[09:35] Ozma Malibu: seems like this work would go far in allowing people to show that SL can be accessible.
[09:35] Blu Heron: Gentel was helpful with suggestions when I built a conference sim a coupkle of years ago.
[09:36] Blu Heron: There is a lot to think about and so much can be assumed or overlooked
[09:36] Glitteractica Cookie: OK, any final questions for Blu?
[09:36] Chad Mikado: That’s why Gentle is the best 🙂
Open Mic / Announcements
[09:36] Glitteractica Cookie: if not, it’s time for open mic
[09:37] Glitteractica Cookie: Does anyone have any announcements for the larger group?
[09:37] Glitteractica Cookie: (thanks again Blu)
[09:37] Zotarah ShepherdZotarah Shepherd applaudes Blu. Great presentation!
[09:37] Glitteractica Cookie: indeed!
[09:37] Blu Heron: yw..ty for having me!
[09:38] Blu Heron: I must go now…another appointment in Rl. I will come agin to your meetings.
[09:38] Glitteractica Cookie: please do join us
[09:38] Brena Benoir: Thank you Blu!
[09:38] Buffy Beale: that’s great Blu you’re always welcome
[09:38] CarmenLittleFawn: bye have a great day
[09:38] Tiki4: waves biiii
[09:38] Zotarah Shepherd: Bye Blu
[09:38] Tiki4: byeeee even
[09:38] Glitteractica Cookie: Does anyone have anything to say to the larger group in open mic format?
[09:39] Glitteractica Cookie: anyone?
[09:39] HB Eternal: i do
[09:39] Glitteractica Cookie: OK, go for it/ HB
[09:39] Tiki4: I would like to invite any military persons to please contact me
[09:39] HB Eternal: We are collaborating with an org in Costa Rica the reforests
[09:40] HB Eternal: some of our volunteers recently built a small sim for them
[09:40] Glitteractica Cookie: HB…which nonprofit? URL?
[09:40] HB Eternal: La Reserva Foundation
[09:40] HB Eternal: let me get the LM
[09:40] HB Eternal: Gemini (138,134,801)
[09:41] HB Eternal: We welcome you to check it out – a great experience of two nonprofits working together in SL
[09:41] HB Eternal: And La Reserva had never heard of SL before
[09:41] Glitteractica Cookie: thanks for letting us know
[09:41] CarmenLittleFawn: 🙂
[09:41] Glitteractica Cookie: Next up Gentle heron has an announcement
[09:41] Brena Benoir: Yay for collaboration!
[09:42] Jerry Buchko: 😀
[09:42] Gentle Heron: Save the dates! International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference, August 3/4 at Virtual Ability Island.
[09:42] Gentle Heron: One of the presentations will be about how to evaluate the impact of your work in the community. Chad Mikado will be running that presentation, with assistance from our friends at JAN.
[09:42] Gentle Heron: Please put these two dates on your calendar and watch the Virtual Ability website for announcements. Thanks.
[09:43] CarmenLittleFawn: ty
[09:43] Glitteractica Cookie: thank u gentle
[09:43] Glitteractica Cookie: anyone else?
[09:43] HB Eternal: the new Google Nexus 7 rocks – got ours this week
[09:44] Glitteractica Cookie: any final announcements for the larger group?
[09:45] Jerry Buchko: @HB, Good to know 🙂 I’ve been following it.
[09:45] Glitteractica Cookie: OK, then I guess we are ending early today
[09:45] Glitteractica Cookie: thanks all and I guess that’s a wrap
[09:45] Namaara MacMoragh: Thanks for another great meeting.
[09:45] Chad Mikado: have a good weekend all
[09:45] Brique Topaz – Feed a Smile: It was very interesting.
[09:45] Brique Topaz – Feed a Smile: Thank you.
[09:45] CarmenLittleFawn: Thank you and everyone have a great day and week end 🙂
[09:45] Glitteractica Cookie: I won’t be here for the next two weeks b/c I will be on a vacation! in Mexico! but Bulaklak and Alebez will hold down the sim
[09:45] CarmenLittleFawn: yes it was and valuable information
[09:46] Buffy Beale: another great meeting thanks all
[09:46] Buffy Beale: ooo have fun Glitter
[09:46] CarmenLittleFawn: have fun Glitter
[09:46] fate Paule: take care and thanks for the information
[09:46] Glitteractica Cookie: thnaks
[09:46] alebez: thanks everyone!
[09:46] Angelbell: thanks for all the information 🙂
[09:46] Glitteractica Cookie: bye!!
[09:46] Ozma Malibu: wonderful, both parts of the meeting today.
[09:46] Jerry Buchko: excellent! take care all 😀
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Written by: Zinnia Zauber