Tag: Rhiannon Chatnoir

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TechSoup Global Goes To Congress (Again): Humanitarian Electronics Recycling and Refurbishment for the March 15th NPC Meeting

This Friday, March 15th, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature Jim Lynch, Director of GreenTech for TechSoup Global. It’s not our first time advocating for charities and libraries in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Congress, but this time, Jim Lynch has created a catch phrase that he hopes will capture some hearts and minds of policymakers. He calls it “humanitarian electronics recycling and refurbishment”. Find out what he said to policymakers on behalf of the digital divide.

• http://www.techsoupglobal.org/blog/need-humanitarian-computer-refurbishment-and-reuse

Bio: Jim Lynch, Director of GreenTech, TechSoup Global  

Over his long career at TechSoup Global, Jim Lynch has been involved in creating all of TechSoup’s environmental programs. Mr. Lynch leads TechSoup Global’s work to develop the computer refurbishment and reuse field in the United States and internationally. He has provided testimony on the humanitarian portion of the field to the U.S International Trade Commission. He has also participated in the creation and refinement of standards for the U.S. electronics recycling industry.

Mr. Lynch also directs TechSoup’s GreenTech program, which promotes technology and practices that reduce the IT environmental impact and carbon footprint of nonprofits, NGOs, and libraries worldwide.

Jim Lynch designed, in cooperation with Microsoft, the Community Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher Program for the Americas, which distributes low-cost Windows and Office software to recyclers and refurbishers. In 2005 he also started TechSoup’s Refurbished Computer Initiative, which supplies low-cost warrantied refurbished computers to U.S. nonprofits and libraries. His interest in computer recycling and nonprofit social enterprise began when he created and ran homeless education programs and computer training labs in the 1980s. 

Jim Lynch has been interviewed extensively over the years on computer recycling and related issues by the Wall St. Journal, National Public Radio, PC World Magazine, and many other news outlets. 

 

Join us in Second Life!

 

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting

Friday, March 15th, 8:30 AM SLT / PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://bit.ly/NPCinSL

 

AGENDA

  • 8:30 am Introductions
  • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
  • 8:45 am Mentors Central
  • 8:55 am Jim Lynch: Humanitarian Electronics Recycling and Refurbishment
  • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

 

http://nonprofitcommons.org

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

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Who Are We Building This Project For? for the March 8th NonProfit Commons Meeting

This Friday, March 8th, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature Fred Fuchs who will discuss how to create engaging virtual projects.

Do people love your project? Do you have more participants than you could possibly want? Do people want you to stop talking and make them an avatar account so they can learn what you have to teach? Do people quickly lose interest in your project for some reason you can’t fathom? Would you like to build a virtual world project with a lot less stress?

There’s nothing magical about all this. Losing sight of the intended audience can reduce engagement and doom a project. The presentation presents ways to keep this from happening with a focus on projects in Starlight, Second Life®, and OpenSim virtual worlds, but is broadly applicable to many platforms.

Bio:

Fred Fuchs: Former “rocket scientist” Fred Fuchs founded Firesabre in 2006. FireSabre has become known for its expertise in building strong interactive 3-D virtual world educational training projects for K-12 and university clients. Recent projects include training simulations for the healthcare professions. The company also build projects for corporate training clients. While FireSabre started with a focus on Second Life®, more recently the company has developed projects for OpenSim, Aurora, web.alive®, Unreal, Facebook, Javascript, and Flash.

FireSabre has also developed a virtual world for learning called Starlight. This world operates on an enhanced Aurora-Sim platform, a next-generation OpenSim environment that’s more stable, high-performance and, in general, offers much more functionality. Starlight offers Vivox voice, groups, professional tech support, and offline message capability. It supports mesh. There’s also a web dashboard for browser-based account and world management functions. For more information, please see http://www.firesabre.com/starlight.php

FireSabre also helped create a project for New York-based Global Kids which was recognized in WIRED magazine and was nominated for an Annenberg Foundation Public Diplomacy Award.

Prior to starting FireSabre Consulting, Fred worked for Hughes Training, Inc., where he created training simulations for the International Space Station. Before Hughes, he worked in Compaq’s Graphics and Multimedia Group. Fred received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Houston.

• http://www.firesabre.com

 

Join us in Second Life!

 

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting

Friday, March 8th, 8:30 AM SLT / PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://bit.ly/NPCinSL

 

AGENDA

  • 8:30 am Introductions
  • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
  • 8:45 am Mentors Central
  • 8:55 am  Fred Fuchs: Who Are We Building This Project For?
  • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

 

http://nonprofitcommons.org

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

Posted on

NPC 3/1/13 Feautured Presentation: Museum of VIrtual Media

Below is an edited transcript of the 3/1/13 NonProfit Commons in Second Life meeting, featuring Aliza Sherman (Cybergrrl Oh) who discussed innovative and compelling ways to use QR codes as an effective marketing tool when used thoughtfully and integrated carefully into a campaign. 

To view the full transcript, go to:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FBcYnCPU3Mc28A5uYclBJsMgg0bTwLeCWqqMs26LdiA/edit

 

Today for our featured presentation we have Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos) and Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico) who will be discussing the theory and process behind the creation of the “Museum of Virtual Media”, a Second Life sim built collaboratively by their University of Washington class in the spring of 2012.

 

The museum is inspired by “Infinite Reality”, a book on virtual worlds technology and education written by Jim Blascovich and Jeremy Bailenson and takes participants through the evolution of media from ancient cave paintings into the future. 

 

 • https://www.facebook.com/MuseumOfVirtualMedia

 • SLURL: UW iSchool (111,128,43)

 

Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico in SL) holds a Certificate in Virtual Worlds from the University of Washington. She has been an EduNation Resident since 2010. She works at The Digital Trainer. Over 20 years’ experience teaching English and Spanish for Specific Purposes to adults in multinational companies. Currently training educators on the use of web 2.0 tools, social networks and 3D virtual environments to enhance task-based learning. As an E.learning and Virtual Worlds Specialist, developing instructional and multimedia materials for online courses and providing consultation on how to integrate LMS and 3DVLE for distance education.

 

Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos in SL) is currently the Communications Director for the Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center based at Washington University. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 2006, she taught general and organic chemistry for over 35 years, including 21 years in the Maricopa County Community College District in Arizona. She reviews frequently for the National Science Foundation and was a program officer in the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education, Directorate of Education and Human Resources (2003-2004). Areas of expertise include immersive virtual environments, social media, faculty use of technology, and research-based applications of visualization and history/philosophy of science in teaching. In July 2011, Liz was co-chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Visualization in Science and Education and is currently working with that community to produce an online report on lessons learned and recommendations for future research on visualization and learning. 

 • http://visualcv.com

Let’s welcome Chimera and Adrianne up, please take a seat and start whenever you are ready.

 

Chimera Cosmos: Thanks Rhiannon. Come on down Adrianne! I just realized I’ve never actually presented totally in text in SL! Thanks for coming everyone. Adri and I worked together on the slides and will be trading off.

 

UW Museum of Virtual Media 

  • Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos)
  • Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico)

 

UW 2012 Class Mentors

 

This is a high-up view of the Museum of Virtual Media

  • Randy Hinrichs – professor
  • Sicily Zapatero – mentor
  • Stylianos Ling – mentor
  • Vex Streeter – Scripting mentor

 

UW Class of 2012

 

Adrianne and I were part of the class of 2012, as you can see.

 

Students from four countries – avatar photos

 

The Museum of Virtual Media is a whole-sim project created by students from the UW Virtual Worlds Certificate Program Class of 2012. Chimera and Adriana are graduates of that class. Today we will tell you about the theory behind the museum, and the nature of our collaborative building process. Afterwards, those of you who are interested can come along with us for a tour.

 

The UW Virtual Worlds certificate class of 2012 met for 3 quarters in Second Life. Our 3rd quarter project was to construct the Museum of Virtual Media, based on the research and writings of Jim Blascovich (UC Santa Barbara) and Jeremy Bailenson (Stanford University).

 

UW Virtual Worlds Class – 3D Model of the MVM

 

The class is taught by Randy Hinrichs. Past TAs (and graduates of the program) include well known avatars Zinnia Zauber, Stylanos Mistakidis, and Sicily Zapatero.

 

Here we are (Randy and Chimera) at the after-graduation tour for friends and families. This was in May of 2012, and we are on the landing point of the MVM. After completing small group projects in the 2nd quarter, teams formed and chose sections of the MVM to design and build. 

 

The museum is multi-level with both ground and sky exhibits. The 3D model of the MVM sim was created before we started building to illustrate the spatial arrangement of the exhibits on multiple levels. You can still view it at the Landing Area.

 

Infinite Reality – the book that inspired the MVM. Blascovich & Bailenson do research on the effects of immersive experiences. Their book postulates a “Museum of Virtual Media” that would cover the history of immersive media since the beginning of human time. The MVM is partly based on their description. Jim and Jeremy toured our MVM and made suggestions during the building process.

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: great that you got them to tour your build/ideas

 

Chimera Cosmos: Yes it was great. They were talking about whether they could use it for publicity.

 

Note the various images and ideas that “Infinite Reality” suggests, including the aging of Mark Zukerberg and other fantasies. Adriana will explore this further towards the end or our presentation. What does it all mean? Adrianne will discuss further at the end of the talk.

 

A Museum of Virtual Media – Exhibits described in “Infinite Reality”

  • Storytelling
  • Graphics
  • Sculpture
  • Theater
  • Manuscripts
  • Printing / Movable Type
  • Photography
  • Cinematography
  • Electricity
  • Broadcast Media
  • Computers & the Internet

 

The MVM Landing Area

 

Start here to find information about what is available at the MVM. Adrianne will discuss different modes for touring and discovering later on. 

 

Collaboration Process – Leela’s Resource Platform

Yes, we divided up the topics. A daunting challenge! Leela Thoreau was elected to be our overall project manager. Leela constructed a platform with shared resourses: structural components, textures, signs, etc.

 

Storytelling (Zorreau Laviscu)

Zorreau’s Storytellling exhibit area is in the sky above the MVM, and is still under construction. The museum is still evolving, and we hope folks will continue to come back to visit.

 

Graphics (Cooper Swizzle)

Cooper and Merlin chose the Caves of Lascaux to illustrate early immersive use of graphic images by prehistoric groups. Merlin created a time machine simulation for the entrance.

 

Egyptian Cats & Easter Island Heads Sculpture: (Leela Thoreau)

Leela constructed multiple areas around the MVM with sculpture from different cultures, including a “create a sculpture” activity.

 

Sculpture from Easter Island – Photos anyone?

 

Leela and Nany designed much of the overall landscape of the sim, including plant selection.

 

I love the job they did in picking out the trees and such. And a lot of you know how I love to take SL photos. 🙂

 

The MVM is a great place for SL photography.

 

Theater (Tapio Ceriano & Leela Thoreau)

The Greek Theater is a space intended for meetings, plays, and other entertainment events can be held for the SL general public. 

 

MVM Tour for UW Class of 2013

 

Manuscripts, Printing & Moveable Type (Nany Kayo)

Nany’s exhibit is a maze made up of book covers and objects that represent the early days of printing. Look for the model of Gutenberg’s printing press.

 

The new UW Class of 2013 toured the Museum with us recently. Here we are in the Greek Theater.

 

Photography & the Camera Obscura (Ryland Bledsoe & Chimera Cosmos)

The Camera Obuscura was my 2nd quarter project, and it got carried over into the final build

 

The Camera Obscura was an early form of immersive visualization. The image is generated with mirrors that reflect an outside scene,and can be viewed on a round pedestal by groups of participants. 

 

Cinematography – (Chimera Cosmos)

Motion Pictures evolved from earlier immersive visual experiences: the Camera Obscura, Magic Lantern shows, the Zoetrope, the Mutoscope, and other early efforts at animation. 

 

Adrianne made these picture slides. She is a whiz at slide design. 😉 with our little avatar portraits

 

The exhibits include the work of Muybridge (Zoopraxiscope), the Lumiere Brothers (upper theater), George Melies (lower theater), and Thomas Edison.

 

Cinematography Exhibit Areas

The Lumiere theater shows one of the earliest films shown in public, L’arrive d’un train…and the unfamiliar apparition apparently frightened patrons and sent some screaming from the theater.

 

Watch out for the dangerous train inside the theater. Other exhibits include the Zoopraxiscope and some of the earliest stop-motion animation by George Melies.

 

Electricity – (Magnus Andersen)

Watch out for lightning, and don’t fall down from the sky! The Electricity exhibit is constructed on several transparent platforms. Learn about some of the giants in the early experiments with electricity. 

 

Fly up to see the exhibits in the sky on the Raven tour (with chat commentary), or teleport from any of the other exhibits.

 

Broadcast Media: Radio (Suzician Lewis)

The Radio and TV stations contain a number of role-playing activities where groups can participate together. The tour activities for the UW Class of 2013 included group assignments for photos to be taken of the participants.

 

Broadcast Media: Television

The TV station has props for group role-play in a news broadcast studio.

 

Suzician and Allison were my group partners. They were great.

 

Broadcast Media: Beach Film Set – Suzician Lewis, Allison Ashmoot, Chimera Cosmos

Suzician caught the shark.

 

Coming to the beach and Hollywood film set behind the radio and TV stations can be a frightening experience if you accidentally touch that shark!

 

Computers & The Internet (Merlin Moonshadow)

Merlin’s build is a 3-level maze with a futuristic storyline. You will be greeted by some computer techs who will guide you.

 

MVM Landing Area

 

The Future & Digital Afterlife (Adrianne Lexico)

Chimera Cosmos: Adrianne is going to take over now and tell you about her exhibit and the concepts behind Infinite Reality

 

Adrianne Lexico: I designed this exhibit to introduce the concept of digital afterlife media, a rich database of a real person’s biological components, unique and essential personality traits, memories, photos, videos and online documents. 

 

DIGITAL MEDIA OF THE FUTURE

 

As you can see I have become a fan of Tron!

 

Exhibit designed to introduce the concept of digital afterlife media, a rich database of a real person’s biological components, unique and essential personality traits, memories, photos, videos and online documents. Scientists are currently working on developing artificial consciousness and intelligence for human-inspired androids. An example of a human inspired android is the case of Bina48. 

 

I have prepared a list for you with some links I read for my research before designing this exhibit.   http://readlists.com/d4374aed/

 

Concepts like bio files, mind files, artificial intelligence, artificial consciousness may sound weird, thought-provoking, futuristic… This exhibit wants to invite you all to discuss, imagine, exchange ideas on the present and future of media. 

 

We can see that together during our tour…

 

LANDING POINT: The mission of the Landing Point is the entryway and point of departure for new visitors to the Museum of Virtual Media. It informs new visitors 1) where they are 2) what the museum is about, and 3) how to navigate from the Landing Point to

 

1) Explore:   The museum will include a variety of pathways that will let visitors find their own way through various exhibits, encountering surprises and unexpected serendipitous events along the way. 

2) Teleport: The Teleport device consists of a wheel consisting of  various exhibit area destination buttons. Visitors can quickly teleport from the Landing Point to these various destinations by clicking on the corresponding buttons.

3) Quest:   This section initiates a story experience lead by the Native American transformational guide, Coyote. This mythic character guides visitors through various museum sections via a virtual treasure hunt.

4) Tour:  This is a short introduction of all the exhibit areas that uses a flying raven accompanied by text descriptions that moves throughout the museum.

 

The Landing Point also provides two orientation videos that 1) outline the broad scope of the museum, using the Spoken Word, Written Word, Printed Word, Electronic Word, and Digital Word as a communications metaphors that tie together various eras of comm

 

Do our brains know where “reality” ends and “virtual” begins?: According to Bailenson and Blascovich, the mind treats virtual people just like physical ones.  We can demonstrate that virtual behaviors are real by measuring how people talk, how peo

 

Gentle Heron: Virtual vs “real” is a spurious dichotomy at best.

Zotarah Shepherd: That virtual is so real to us is one reason why the Matrix movies seemed so believable.

Buffy Beale: true enough

Zinnia Zauber: very

 

Chimera Cosmos: Those of us who have been in SL understand this better than most

 

Beth Ghostraven: the real part about SL is the people

Maerian Dagger: in my group we avoid using terms like “RL” we feel they muddy the perception of virtual reality. 🙂

Maerian Dagger: so we refer to inworld and outworld distinctions.

Buffy Beale: good point Maerian

 

Chimera Cosmos: I think RL is so tempting to use because it’s short and is so parallel to SL in construction

I only use it with others from SL who I know will know what I mean 🙂

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: but as the museum suggests, art, theater, storytelling…all forms of another reality really

 

Adrianne Lexico: I think we have found the ghost. it is someone from Matrix Reloaded

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: great, any questions / thoughts so far out there

 

Chimera Cosmos: yes, please jump in

 

Lynne (yt.upsilon): How long will the museum be online?

 

Chimera Cosmos: at least through next May, I think. The Maya sim that the class of 2011 built is still up right next to ours, so you get a 2fer

 

Zorreau Laviscu: What happens to the Museum after May?

 

Chimera Cosmos: UW pays for the sims

 

Zinnia Zauber: I am so proud of you guys! The museum is really amazing and people learn so much from it!

 

Chimera Cosmos: We will do an abbreviated tour for those who can stay. It would take hours to see it all!

 

Zotarah Shepherd: I wish such reat education filled builds could stay up for eons, if not in SL then some other grid where people have access.

Buffy Beale: me too Zo

Namaara MacMoragh: (agrees with Zotarah)

Lynne (yt.upsilon): Try Kitely.

[09:30] Maerian Dagger: My group has moved to INworldz. Amazing community, and our nonprofit can afford the tier there for 8 islands. 😉

 

Chimera Cosmos: It was fun to build, and it’s still a work in progress. I am adding interactivity.

 

Lynne (yt.upsilon): It’s Open Sim, but you get a free world and the ability to upload OARs. Time based billing, but 2 hours a month free.

 

Chimera Cosmos: Quite a few of the assets at the MVM were purchased from other builders. So a lot would not be able to transfer. I love kitely for experimenting.

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: but could always reimagine the builds

Maerian Dagger: The museum looks great btw and both of you have very interesting bios! Thanks for your time and the work you do.

 

Chimera Cosmos: Yes, but none of us are expert builders.

Adrianne Lexico: I was a total newbie!

Chimera Cosmos: And quite a few have other full-time jobs. So it isn’t likely.

 

Thynka Little: I look forward to taking some time to explore it!

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: any other questions, before we move to Open Mic and then the tour

 

Adrianne Lexico: and we can then take you to a tour? Great.- sorry for the inconveniences.

 

Beth Ghostraven: Will the slides be online?

 

Chimera Cosmos: I can put them on Slideshare slideshare.com/ldorland

 

Adrianne Lexico: That was our question for you! Do our brains know where “reality” ends and “virtual” begins? What do you think? yes? no?

 

Frans Charming: Nope.

Buffy Beale: not once one has been immersed, the feelings are real

Zotarah Shepherd: How do we know we are not in a VR now?

Beth Ghostraven: Buffy, exactly; that’s what people forget

 

Adrianne Lexico: do you agreee with that? Feelings are real, are they? Just opening a discussion here, not giving an answer…

 

Gentle Heron: Our brains create virtual understanding from sensory messages sent to them by our eyes/ears/etc. So is anything “real”?

Frans Charming: there aren’t fake feelings, if you feel it, it is.

Namaara MacMoragh: good point Gentle

Dancers Yao: spirit is real!

 

Chimera Cosmos: I think we in SL are sensitive to criticism from skeptics who have not experienced virutal reality. They don’t understand how “real” it is.

 

Zorreau Laviscu: I think it’s a good idea that we maintain a good relationship with Mother Earth as we begin to inhabit virtual worlds.

Zinnia Zauber: I like to use the term actual.

Buffy Beale: I agree Chim I just say to them try it then talk to me

 

Chimera Cosmos: same here Buffy – unless I’m dragging them in here myself!

 

Adrianne Lexico: Here we have some pics from movies where reality and virtual worlds co-exist, mix. We are now interacting in a virtual world…what happens with our identity? with the way we physically relate to others?

 

Stranger Nightfire: I have noticed that doing things like having my avatar float in a pond will have a relaxing effect upon my body in RL

 

Chimera Cosmos: but only the cool kids…

 

Buffy Beale: lol of course!

 

Lynne (yt.upsilon): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holographic_principle

Buffy Beale: me too Stranger, or if I’m standing too long

Gentle Heron: “mirror neurons” Stranger

 

Chimera Cosmos: Yes, I used to sit by the waterfront on Jokaydia late at night and listen to the waves, very relaxing, and I’m totally obsessed with learning how to build the perfect waterfall!

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes, virtual nature has a certain draw for me too

Maerian Dagger: we have a pool designed for that purpose in our lands that people soak in for healing and charge when feeling good. 🙂

Dancers Yao: our dreams are like virtual worlds

Maerian Dagger: sort of a community battery

Gentle Heron: So true, Dancers!

Lynne (yt.upsilon): “To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.”

William Blake

 

Adrianne Lexico whispers: WOW! That is so deep!

 

Gentle Heron smiles at Lynne’s Blake quote.

 

Jen (jenelle.levenque): I think among other things that’s why “waterfront” property goes for more in SL as well as RL

Rhiannon Chatnoir: nod Jen… interesting

 

Adrianne Lexico: According to Bailenson and Blascovich, the mind treats virtual people just like physical ones. We can demonstrate that virtual behaviors are real by measuring how people talk, how people emote, how people’s physiology changes and how they make decisions.

In virtual worlds we make use of Proximics which refers to the use of space and types of distance in interaction. There are three different distances: social, personal and intimate. We can also distinguish different aspects of this non-verbal behavior during interaction which includes the way people orient their bodies in conversation, the way they use gestures and eye gestures and eye contact.

 

Chimera Cosmos: Yes, I always think that those who refuse to try to understand have a lack of imagination in general. Oh yea — love waterfront and mountainside with a view

 

Lynne (yt.upsilon): Great point Jen.

 

Chimera Cosmos: just like where I would choose to vacation outside

 

Buffy Beale: location location location

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes, all my mainland virtual land is either in a themed community, on a mountain, river, etc

Jen (jenelle.levenque): Yes Chimera, a mountain with a view of the ocean

Zinnia Zauber: I adore having a waterfront with my swing set!

 

Chimera Cosmos: that’s what I have on Phobos now!

 

Dancers Yao: If I do CPR in “real life” the person may or may not live. but in virtual worlds, I can animate them to be alive again with CPR

Zotarah Shepherd: Here we are all watched over by machines of loving grace… (I wish Richard Brautigan had lived to see SL)

Maerian Dagger: not however if the animating outworld person has died. Then if the inworld avi re-animates it must be with another person “at the wheel”.

Dancers Yao: I think people need to find new research methods for VW, not just apply the trraditional ones.

 

Chimera Cosmos: Yes, I did feel that Blascovich & Bailenson were rather noobish in SL for folks who are doing this kind of research. I do respect their work, but thought they could have spent more time acclimating heheh.

 

Maerian Dagger: yes…substitutions are needed for some interactions and better typists/writers are more successful perhaps at avoiding misunderstandings due to lack of suprasegmental phonemes (sorry for that last). lol

 

Chimera Cosmos: to be fair, their focus is not SL

 

Adrianne Lexico: Let´s see how we applied 3D instructional design methodologies of storytelling, gaming & learning archetypes. The museum is a 3D representation of Chapter 2. Hope you enjoy it!

 

Rhiannon Chatnoir: so we have some time to tour, let’s move on to Open Mic, and then we can continue the discussion more informally when we are touring the museum

 

Chimera Cosmos: thanks everyone

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

Posted on

The Museum of Virtual Media for the March 1st NonProfit Commons Meeting

This Friday, March 1st, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos) and Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico) who will discuss the theory and process behind the creation of the “Museum of Virtual Media”, a Second Life sim built collaboratively by their University of Washington class in the spring of 2012. 

 

The museum is inspired by “Infinite Reality”, a book on virtual worlds technology and education written by Jim Blascovich and Jeremy Bailenson and takes participants through the evolution of media from ancient cave paintings into the future. Each exhibit in the museum applies different 3D instructional design methodologies including storytelling, gaming and learning archetypes to stimulate learning through immersive experiences, exploration, tours, active participation and knowledge creation.

 

Immediately following the meeting, Chimera Cosmos and Adrianne Lexico will guide those avatars interested through a tour of different portions of the Museum of Virtual Media exhibits. 

About the book “Infinite Reality” that inspired the museum:

How achievable are the virtual experiences seen in The Matrix, Tron, and James Cameron’s Avatar? Do our brains know where “reality” ends and “virtual” begins? In Infinite Reality, professors Jim Blascovich and Jeremy Bailenson, two pioneering experts in the field of virtual reality, reveal how the human brain behaves in virtual environments and examine where radical new developments in digital technology will lead us in five, fifty, and five hundred years.

 

Bios:

Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico in SL) holds a Certificate in Virtual Worlds from the University of Washington. She has been an EduNation Resident since 2010. She works at The Digital Trainer. Over 20 years’ experience teaching English and Spanish for Specific Purposes to adults in multinational companies. Currently training educators on the use of web 2.0 tools, social networks and 3D virtual environments to enhance task-based learning. As an E.learning and Virtual Worlds Specialist, developing instructional and multimedia materials for online courses and providing consultation on how to integrate LMS and 3DVLE for distance education. 

 

Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos in SL) is currently the Communications Director for the Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center based at Washington University. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 2006, she taught general and organic chemistry for over 35 years, including 21 years in the Maricopa County Community College District in Arizona. She reviews frequently for the National Science Foundation and was a program officer in the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education, Directorate of Education and Human Resources (2003-2004). Areas of expertise include immersive virtual environments, social media, faculty use of technology, and research-based applications of visualization and history/philosophy of science in teaching. In July 2011, Liz was co-chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Visualization in Science and Education and is currently working with that community to produce an online report on lessons learned and recommendations for future research on visualization and learning. 

 

Join us in Second Life!

 

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting

Friday, March 1st, 8:30 AM SLT / PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://bit.ly/NPCinSL 

 

 

AGENDA

  • 8:30 am Introductions
  • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
  • 8:45 am Mentors Central
  • 8:55 am Liz Dorland (Chimera Cosmos) and Adriana Sanchez (Adrianne Lexico): The Museum of Virtual Media
  • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements
  • 9:45 am Guided Tour of the Museum of VIrtual Media

 

http://nonprofitcommons.org

 

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

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NPC 2/22/13 Feautured Presentation: Aliza Sherman, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly QR Code

Below is an edited transcript of the 2/22/13 NonProfit Commons in Second Life meeting, featuring Aliza Sherman (Cybergrrl Oh) who discussed innovative and compelling ways to use QR codes as an effective marketing tool when used thoughtfully and integrated carefully into a campaign. 
 
Today we have as our featured presenter web pioneer Aliza Sherman (Cybergrrl Oh) who will take us on an interactive exploration of QR codes.
 
Aliza Sherman is a Web pioneer with a mission to empower people through technology. She is a digital marketing strategist who has been online since 1987 and consulting clients about the Internet since 1992. She speaks around the world and writes about online, social media, and mobile marketing, as well as tech and business issues specific to women.
 
In 1995, Newsweek named her one of the “Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet” after she founded the first woman-owned, full-service Internet company, Cybergrrl, Inc. and the first global Internet networking organization for women, Webgrrls International. 
 
In 2009, Fast Company named her one of the “Most Powerful Women in Technology.” 
 
Aliza is the author of nine books including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Crowdsourcing, and Mom, Incorporated. Her next book will be Social Media Engagement for Dummies.
 
When not speaking in other parts of the world, she lives and works out of Tok, Alaska.
[Cybergrrl Oh] 
Thank you everyone! So great to be back here. So on with QR codes!
 
My presentation today is not about hyping the latest and the greatest new fangled tool. It is about practical, sensible and manageable uses of technology to improve how we do things.
 
So let’s start with a definition of QR codes. QR codes are 2- dimensional bar codes or “quick response codes” that were originally developed by Toyota to manage automobile factory inventory. 
 
You need a QR code reader to scan QR codes. I’m on an iPhone and use Scan from http://scan.me and also Paperlinks from http://paperlinks.com.
 
Just as we adopted Web technology from a tool created for and used by scientists, we have adopted QR codes that were made for machine parts tracking.
 
So do QR codes work? Well, like any tech tool, only if you use them well. Thoughtfully and strategically. QR codes can be a way to bridge online and offline efforts, real world “hyperlinks” that can instantly transport a person to your online resources, to online actions, all tied to your goals. Not transport like going inworld necessarily, of course!
 
QR codes should not be random or spontaneous afterthoughts to your marketing efforts. They should be thoughtfully planned, lead you to a mobile friendly destination and enhance an overall experience. Above all, they should be easy to use.
 
You need the right tools in place to create, manage and track the code. You need to think through the experience for the end user.
 
Your QR code can lead to a website, blog, social network. Marketing collateral, signs, banners, promotional items, attire and accessories. A quick poll or subscription form. A petition to sign. A video or audio file. Even a mobile and friendly donation trigger. Although there are still challenges with mobile donations.
 
You can put QR codes on any flat surface you can print and I emphasize FLAT surface. The readable parts of the code need to be even for a reader to pick them up.
 
They aren’t perfect, and the black and white versions aren’t really that pretty. But… They don’t have to be plain. Custom QR codes created by a designer familiar with the hot spots of the code can make them more attractive.
 
 
Yes, I love these! FYI, the ones on display around here were done by Paperlinks. Colors and shapes. Custom are not free, no. But to get a QR code in B&W, yes, free.
 
Now on to some quick examples. So let’s looks at what works and what doesn’t. The bad ones first.
 
This is one on a potted plant at the grocery store. So many possibilities. I was hoping for instructions on how to care for the plant but… 
 
Here is where it leads. Not mobile friendly, not readable.
This is the peril of MANY QR codes. They lead to a website that isn’t optimized for a mobile device. Hard to read and navigate.
 
Here is a QR code on a necklace. Looks cool
 
Here is where it leads. Not that exciting. They are showing that you can lead to text but…boring!
 
 
Here is a poster in a mall. For Tandy Leather Factory.
 
Here is where it leads. Almost a good experience because there is a video that can be played. Usually you want to link to YouTube for fast video play. Second best is linking to website with video embedded.
 
 
 
Nonprofit organizations can incorporate QR codes into their marketing mix, but need to be wary of misusing or over-using them in ways that don’t lead to positive returns.
 
Here is a QR code for Fashion Group International Toronto. They put these up on signs at events. I love QR codes on signs at events. I always pull out my iPhone to scan them to see where they lead. This is great for tradeshows, conferences, gatherings of any kind. 9 times out of 10 they go to unfriendly sites, meaning NOT mobile.
 
 
So here is where this one leads. 
At every event, this organization uploads a PDF program of the event – a takeaway. Then they place QR codes on signs at the event. Attendees can access the slides on their mobile device. It is pretty legible and our smartphones can now read PDFs so this works.
 
The Big Wild conservation group in Canada put up signs around town with QR codes. I’m forgetting which Canadian town but they did this to attract attention and start people talking. They were looking to build awareness of an issue. These signs were attractive and strategically placed in downtown. 
 
The QR code led people to a petition they could sign. Pretty mobile friendly as far as forms go. I’ve used this tactic for clients of mine. In store signs and at event signs with QR codes that lead to an email signup.
 
The South Carolina Auditorium had signs and stickers with a code for a contest. The more you checked in and signed up, the more chances you had to win a year membership to the aquarium and a chance to get close to an albino alligator. 
The contest only went on for a certain amount of time. This can be risky if you use the wrong QR code generator. Because your QR code will always be coded to go to the same place. The code representing a URL remains that URL. BUT if you create the code with a tool that you can change what is behind it, you can modify content and keep the code fresh Paperlinks is a service that does that for you. http://paperlinks.com. After the contest, the QR code still exists but goes to the home page of a mobile friendly site for the aquarium.
 
I once saw a QR code on a Heinz Ketchup bottle for a contest. After the contest, scanning it led you to a note that said “Contest Over.” Boo Hiss. Totally a waste and not thought through at all.
 
Here are things to remember when using QR codes:
  • What are your goals? 
  • What actions do you want people to take?
  • Where will you lead them? 
  • What should their experience be?
  • And how will you measure results?
 
You can make QR codes for free in many many ways. 
  • A very easy way is via bit.ly. Whenever you make a short URL via bit.ly, you can access an automatically created QR code by adding .qr at the end of the URL. I believe that is how you access it. And because you can access analytics for your bit.ly, you get them for the code, too.
  • http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ Kaywa is another
  • I like Paperlinks because you get a modular mobile site that you can modify any time. Some have costs like Paperlinks if you use their mobile sites.
There are SO many ways to create them but look for reputable companies and ones that offer more than just the code.
 
Oh, and if you need a reader: Scan from http://scan.me and also Paperlinks from http://paperlinks.com. Android users can use Scan as well or also Red Laser.
 
OK, I’ve rambled on enough about this – questions? Comments?
 
          Treacle (treacle.darlandes): Interesting, thanks. My first experience of what they really are.
          Dage Yven: and cods for an artists – artworks?
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] 
Interesting Treacle! I hope this made sense. They aren’t the most amazing thing in the world but they can be quite useful.
 
Any time you have something physical – like a CD or DVD or packaging – you can place a QR code on that and then lead to a website or a video or other multimedia placed online. I really like the concept of Hyperlinks in the Real World.
 
         Irisgrl Saphir: Wow, really explained how we can use QR to work for us…..more powerful things than I thought!
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Irisgrl – they can be if you use them well.
 
         Irisgrl Saphir: “well” being the operative word!
         Pastor Lynne (lynne.applewhyte): This is cool. I can see how this would be more useful for my tutoring business than the tear off things on the posters.
         Beth Ghostraven: You could put up a sign in SL w/ a QR code
         Glitteractica Cookie: gr8 idea a SL sign with a QR code
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] I’ve seen great uses of QR codes on websites – leading straight to a company’s mobile app. And a QR code inworld has many possibilities. We all have our smartphones nearby it seems as we are on the computer.
 
         Brielle Coronet: so if people don’t know about how to get these codes whats a very user friendly site to recommend to download?
         Glitteractica Cookie: Are they difficult to create? Sorry i had to step away from my screen, so may have missed you talking about this. Did you already include a link of your fave sites?
         Irisgrl Saphir: gotta trust the QR maker site, though
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] 
Glitter – not at all! You just go to a site that generates them and type in the content. QR codes can be text or even a phone number you can then call instantly. Even Google has a QR code generator.
 
Here are my fave sites: Paperlinks yes, http://paperlinks.com and just starting to use http://qrcode.kaywa.com/. You do want to make sure you use a reputable company. 
 
For the colored codes, some free generators let you pic colors. For the designed codes, you need a graphic designer who really really knows their stuff. You can mess up a code. There are hot spots on a QR code that cannot be messed with or the code is inactive.
 
         Irisgrl Saphir: This opens new worlds!
         Grizzla (grizzla.pixelmaid): Sorry – did you answer this already – what mobile apps will let a person “read” the code?
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Yes here are some scanners to use. I’m on an iPhone and use Scan from http://scan.me and also Paperlinks from http://paperlinks.com. Android users can use Scan as well or also Red Laser.
 
         Glitteractica Cookie: There are many QRcode scan reader apps for free on the iphone
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Many indeed. But not all work very well.
 
Eric Rice: The first stage of the QR Code driveway
         Rhiannon Chatnoir: the most ‘out of the box’ use of a QRcode, is from another web/media pioneer and once SL’er .. Eric Rice (Spin Martin in SL) who used paving stones to createa QR code of his driveway so that it could be seen from Google Maps
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Rhiannon – that is so cool! I’ve seen QR codes on cookies! Some even have lights on them so you can light up the code to read better
 
         Beth Ghostraven: I guess you’d print them on the icing like a photo
         Brielle Coronet: ooo i like that
         Dage Yven: Is it new epoch for speed of an informations?
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] 
My client Wine Sisterhood just came out with a QR code scanner – should be in app store this week or next. It works really well and is free. They have QR codes on all of their wine labels and they all lead to Paperlink sites. And their campaigns lead to wufoo forms to sign up for things. Mobile friendly is the key!
 
And please scan some of the codes you see around. The codes you see are by Paperlinks.
 
         Rhiannon Chatnoir: if we think on the ideas of storytelling.. you could use it as an innovative way to direct someone in a physical location to the next step of a online/digital story or game even
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Definitely great to integrate into a story, a process, an exploration
 
         CarmenLittleFawn: yes it is
         Brielle Coronet: do you know if survey monkey has this capability?
         Rhiannon Chatnoir: Brielle, not built into Survey Monkey, but you could use something like paperlinks and have it point to a survey
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] If the survey or quick poll is mobile friendly, just take the URL and put into any good QR code generator. Paperlinks is if you need a more robust mobile site.
 
         Glitteractica Cookie: I just read that Cybergrrl Oh started the first woman owned internet company! Go CyberGrrl!! We are in the company of royalty. You are too young for this all to be true, not that we don’t believe you, but you look too young!
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] haha – yes, that is true. thank you!
 
         Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes and published your first Internet focused book in the mid 90s… 96/7?
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] yes, Cybergrrl: A Woman’s Guide to the World Wide Web. I was on the Internet back in 1987. I was on the Internet women women made up 10% of the Internet population.
 
         Irisgrl Saphir: Off to meet with Commission Chair; taking business card with our Facebook Page QR code on it to demo. Thanks!
         Glitteractica Cookie: Bye Cybergrrl, great info.. really interesting
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] Thanks Glitter
 
         Glitteractica Cookie: thanks to YOU!
         Serene Jewell: Thanks for the info, Aliza. Gave me some good ideas for using QR codes at events.
         Brielle Coronet: terrific presentation! i learned a lot
         Treacle (treacle.darlandes): Yes thank you Cybergrrl
         Irisgrl Saphir: Applauding wildly!
         Buffy Beale: thanks for coming Cyber, you’re a great role model for women in tech
         Coughran Mayo: Thank you!
         Serene Jewell: Great to see you again, Cybergrrl.
         Gentle Heron: Thanks Cybergrrl. Very interesting information.
         Chayenn: great
         CarmenLittleFawn: much appreciated 🙂
 
[Cybergrrl Oh] You can email me any time with questions at info@mediaegg.com. Really grateful for this opportunity to share with all of you. Thank you! 
 

If you took any pictures of this event, please share them on the NonProfit Commons Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitcommons or G+ Community: https://plus.google.com/communities/114212078390326305687, tag them #NPSL and tag your avatars in any photos posted!

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

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The Good, The Bad & The Ugly QR Code for the February 22nd NonProfit Commons Meeting

This Friday, February 22nd, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature web pioneer Aliza Sherman (Cybergrrl Oh) who will take us on an interactive exploration of QR code marketing. QR Codes can be a compelling and effective marketing tool when used thoughtfully and integrated carefully into a campaign. Nonprofits can benefit from incorporating QR codes appropriately into marketing collateral and communications flow, especially to bridge offline with online actions. Learn some of the best tools for generating and managing your QR code efforts and see some examples of QR codes, both effective and ineffective ones. 

 

Bio:

Aliza Sherman is a Web pioneer with a mission to empower people through technology. She is a digital marketing strategist who has been online since 1987 and consulting clients about the Internet since 1992. She speaks around the world and writes about online, social media, and mobile marketing, as well as tech and business issues specific to women. 

 

In 1995, Newsweek named her one of the  “Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet” after she founded the first woman-owned, full-service Internet company, Cybergrrl, Inc. and the first global Internet networking organization for women, Webgrrls International. 

 

In 2009, Fast Company named her one of the “Most Powerful Women in Technology.” 

 

Aliza is the author of nine books including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Crowdsourcing, and Mom, Incorporated. Her next book will be Social Media Engagement for Dummies.

 

When not speaking in other parts of the world, she lives and works out of Tok, Alaska.

 

Join us in Second Life!

 

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting

Friday, February 22nd, 8:30 AM SLT / PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://bit.ly/NPCinSL 

 

AGENDA

  • 8:30 am Introductions
  • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
  • 8:45 am Mentors Central
  • 8:55 am Aliza Sherman: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly QR Code
  • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

 

 

http://nonprofitcommons.org

 

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

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NPC 2/15/13 Featured Presentation: Community Partnership Development Through Hackathons

Below is an edited transcript of the 2/15/13 NonProfit Commons in Second Life meeting, featuring Lyre Calliope on Community Partnership Development through Hackathons. To view the full transcript, go HERE.

Today we have as our featured presenter Lyre Calliope who will be discussing how hackathons can be used to develop community partnerships and for social good.
 
Bio: Lyre Calliope’s mission is to assist in the emergence of a globally collaborative society. His first work experiences came as a volunteer for futures oriented non-profit organizations where he was exposed to cutting edge thought leadership, technology, and had his first experiences as a community organizer. Lyre began applying these experiences in 2006 through work as a social media consultant in an Atlanta-based agency called ConceptHub where he learned how business ecosystems operate and just how challenging they can be when faced with change. In 2010 he cofounded C4 Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to stewarding Atlanta’s creative economy by helping arts entrepreneurs build successful careers. Now in Boston, he’s turned his efforts toward growing an ecosystem of open innovation practitioners that learn and build in the Commons.
Let’s welcome up Lyre, please take a seat and start whenever you are ready.
 
[Lyre Calliope]
Thanks for inviting me back Rhiannon! It’s great to jump back inworld. 🙂
 
For some time I’ve been worried about how accelerating technological change also accelerates gaps within society: income, literacy, social equity, etc. ‘Disruptive innovation’ is often seen as the most valuable form of innovation, but there has to be a place for constructive innovation. There has to be a way in which innovation can occur that doesn’t disrupt whole communities, industries, or even economies.
 
How do we approach innovation as an act of renovation?
 
I believe a major piece of this puzzle involves tying technological advancement to learning. This is exactly what happens at hackathons.
 
So, what is a hackathon?
 
A hackathon is an event in which people involved in software development come together to collaborate on projects. They usually last one to two days, but weeklong hackathons are not unknown. The goals of hackathons can vary, but usually the aim is to develop working software. Hackathons usually have a theme such as a specific programming language, a product category, a community, an industry, or a problem space. You can think of a hackathon as a programming marathon.
 
As the number of API (Application Programming Interface) based companies have grown, the number of hackathons has gone up as a means of marketing their developer focused products. Some developers think there are too many hackathons. There’s also the problem that good software takes time and few finished products ever come out of them. As a result, hackathons are seen by many people as superficial. This is understandable when finished products are seen as the outcome.
 
The real value from hackathons comes not from software developed, but from learning: the new connections made neurally, socially, and webbily.
 
Done right, hackathons enable communities of practice to form. Communities of open innovation practitioners.
 
Arthur C. Clarke famously said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Well, hackthons are like the new Hogwarts. They’re where you go to learn new magic.
 
So let’s talk about purpose driven hackathons.
 
After Hurricane Sandy, I began volunteering for CrisisCommons, a non-profit organization that stewards the CrisisCamp hackathons it grew from. CrisisCamps convene globally whenever there is a natural disaster to apply open source and open data capacities to disaster recovery efforts. More than just software developers, people of all stripes are invited to participate in data management tasks, communications, etc.
 
One of the lessons I’ve learned over the past few months is that unlike traditional hackathons in which developers start working on projects from the very beginning, CrisisCamps require something of an R&D process. The problems faced by crisis responders are unique, and often happen in real time. A successful CrisisCamp invites subject matter experts to share their knowledge and help guide the discovery process that informs the design and development of solutions.
 
At the end of a hackathon, it’s customary for groups to demo the projects that they have been working on.. even if their projects are only prototypes or mockups. During these demos, there’s often an a-ha moment that comes when subject matter experts see what is technologically possible. This can open doors to new opportunities for change within the organizations these subject matter experts operate in.
 
The division of labor for a team at the typical hackathon falls between designers working on the user interface systems and developers working on the back-end logic systems. For the purpose-driven hackathon, I’d like to add a third category of team participant: Storytellers facilitating problem discovery and solution documentation.
 
I imagine many of you hear actively identify as storytellers. 🙂
 
By introducing the storytelling role into the mix, hackathons can become a learning opportunity open to a much wider group of people. There’s a lot more that I’d love to say about the importance of storytelling in purpose-driven hackathons, but I should talk a bit about the role of data.
 
Innovation during the past decade can be largely attributed to the Open Source movement. Innovation during the next decade will be all about Open Data.
 
At the center of hackathon culture is the use of APIs: Application Programming Interfaces. APIs enable the flow of data between Apps and organizational infrastructures in a secure, structured, and accessible way. You may or may not realize it, but all of us are constantly using APIs every day. They are kind of like the web, but for all our apps. 21st century organizational partnerships are built through the exchange of data via APIs.
 
I could easily have spent this entire time just talking about the role of APIs play in facilitating powerful partnerships between organizations, but then the community learning piece would have been lost!
 
One of the best ways to really understand APIs if you’re not a techie is to go to a hackathon and help put them into action! Making is learning, and we learn best when we make together. The last thing the world needs is more Instagrams and Pinterests. Unfortunately, software developers are too often isolated from communities with real problems to solve. 
 
Hackathons are the forums where bridges can be built to engage software developers in civic and purpose-driven problem solving. Hackathons are the place where communities can come together to not only learn where information technology is going, but actually direct its advancement toward solving the real-world problems they face.
 
That’s all I have prepared, but I can go into more detail and fish out some relevant links if ya’ll are interested. So, questions? 🙂
 

     CarmenLittleFawn: how can a story teller get involved?

 

[Lyre Calliope]
First thing that brings real value: documentation. Most software developers hate creating documentation, but it’s really important for encoding knowledge as well as engaging others in building forward. Second, facilitating conversation and understanding with subject matter experts and helping developers think through application logic. Btw, when I say subject matter experts, I mean people with pain points within communities.
 

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): Made my living as translator between engineering and users

     Ozma Malibu: so the storyteller can interpret the problems to the designers and developers, and the storyteller can have the vision of a solution that holds everything together (yes Jen – I made my living similarly as translator but in education) 

     Ozma Malibu: Pain points! I had not heard that expression. very useful way to see the problem.

     Glitteractica Cookie: My new work with Carvanstudios will be largely focused on hackthons and apps that come out of them. Lyre and the rest of you… @caravanstudios is our twitter handle. You may be interested in this hacker helper wiki: http://hackerhelper.wikispaces.com which identifies the probelms and gives corresponding data to hackers who build apps to help solve civis problems. We are hoping ppl add to the hacker helper wiki and edit it if they see fit.

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): QUESTION: How do we find out about hackathons and what their focus is?

     Gentle Heron wonders if there is somewhere a master list of upcoming hackathons and topics?

     Glitteractica Cookie: there are thousands of hackathons going on, so I doubt there is one master list

 
[Lyre Calliope]
As for where to find out about hackathons, there are community calendars you can find. A friend of mine is trying to compile a semi-master list and I’ll share that link. Honestly, I’d try Meetup.com! Enter the social stream where developers reside and ask them where the hackathon calanders are. 🙂
 

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: I have a question, how could you seem something like a Hackathon being carried out within a virtual space such as Second Life or otherwise, and within communities like NPC.

 

[Lyre Calliope]
So, the great thing about open source tools is that they allow for productive time and space displacement. Which makes them even more powerful when you get people together at the same time.
 
As long as you get people together within the same headspace and have effective communication channels in place, you’re good to go.
 
Horror story:
After Hurricane Sandy, I was at the MIT Media Lab at the local CrisisCamp while at least a dozen other hackathons were ongoing around the world. All sharing waaaaayyyyy too many communications channels. It didn’t just disrupt our ability to work with other events, it disrupted our room.
 
The physical space was disrupted by too much virtual distraction.
 

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: so collaborative presence is key – even if virtual

     Frans Charming: You know some the relief fundraising we did and do in SL can be viewed as a hackaton. Thinking back on the once I was involved in, though less about providing data/program.

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): The key word with communications was EFFECTIVE.

 
[Lyre Calliope]
So yes. Collaborative presence. 🙂
 
And by past experience, hacking in second life is second only to actual physical presence.
 
Incidentally, hackathons are a great way for organizations to support their communities.
 
The presence enables conversations that wouldn’t occur otherwise. Fast looping and iteration. And helps form that core engaged community that supports itself. Kind of like what used to happen in the old days of yore right here.
 
One other comment! 
 
I’m a big fan of inter-organizational collaboration. Communities exist between organizations. Hackathons are a great way to bring multiple organizations together and learning how their communities not only intersect, but can help facilitate organizational partnerships out in the open.
 
Like I said, it’s like Hogwarts! Especially for non-api savvy types.
 

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: Any other questions for Lyre on Hackathons or how this could fit witing your org/mission? And, I have a question for all of you… what are your thoughts on somehow organizing a virtual hackathon?

     CarmenLittleFawn: I would be interested in seeing how it would fit my organization

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): Been mulling that over

     Dancers Yao: sounds good….would like to learn more about this

     Buffy Beale: I think it would be fun and interesting for those non-api savvy types too

     CarmenLittleFawn: I would love it all though I am not a programmer but a storyteller

 
[Lyre Calliope] 
Storytelling is the original programming.
 

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): Someone needs to provide the story that shows the need to be addressed

     CarmenLittleFawn: I would love too If I knew how I have a idea I would love to implement

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes, the issue/mission/storyline comes first

     CarmenLittleFawn: I can provide a story that show needs

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: maybe we can work on that to come

     Glitteractica Cookie: Are any of you going to build an app or enter an already built app to the win8 apps for social benefit contest?

     Dancers Yao: want to enter…but it is at storytellng level

     CarynTopia Silvercloud: I have an idea but don’t know how to get it actualized

     Glitteractica Cookie: caryn, if you want to post yr idea to the wiki, we could maybe add the data to help a hacker build it

 

[Lyre Calliope]
And just as important as storytelling around need, is storytelling the activity at the hackathon. Publishing ideas, hypothesis, ideas and hypothesis thrown out for new ones.. code prototypes that didn’t pan out.. all valuable stories.
 

     Rhiannon Chatnoir: so let’s thank Lyre for presenting today! Great to see you back in Second Life. and maybe we can drag you back if we can get a hackathon going 🙂

 
[Lyre Calliope] 
Any time! I’m totally in!
 

     Gentle Heron: Thank you Lyre. I learned a new word for “collaborative work” 

     CarynTopia Silvercloud: very interesting presentation

     Buffy Beale: cheering! thanks Lyre

     Glitteractica Cookie: Thanks Lyre! You are great

     Beth Ghostraven: yay! Thanks, Lyre!

     CarynTopia Silvercloud: would love to check out a hackathon

     Jen (jenelle.levenque): Thank you Lyre, I was totally mystified about hackathons til today

 

[Lyre Calliope] 
I’m still mystified. 😉

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

Posted on

Community Partnership Development through Hackathons for the February 15th NonProfit Commons Meeting

This Friday, February 15th, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature Lyre Calliope who will be discussing how hackathons can be used to develop community partnerships and for social good. Hackathons are a staple of open source development culture and have gained in popularity as marketing channels for businesses offering API (Application Programming Interface) products to software developers. At their best, hackathons represent opportunities for collaborative learning that spans communities. Hackathons are a core building block in modern civic engagement and he will share with us what he has learned thus far as a participant and organizer in holding hackathons for developing impactful community partnerships.

 

Bio:  Lyre Calliope’s mission is to assist in the emergence of a globally collaborative society. His first work experiences came as a volunteer for futures oriented non-profit  organizations where he was exposed to cutting edge thought leadership, technology, and had his first experiences as a community organizer. Lyre began applying these experiences in 2006 through work as a social media consultant in an Atlanta-based agency called ConceptHub where he learned how business ecosystems operate and just how challenging they can be when faced with change. In 2010 he cofounded C4 Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to stewarding Atlanta’s creative economy by helping arts entrepreneurs build successful careers. Now in Boston, he’s turned his efforts toward growing an ecosystem of open innovation practitioners that learn and build in the Commons.

 

http://twitter.com/lettucecreate

https://www.facebook.com/LettuceCreate

https://plus.google.com/118262067377873673960

 

Join us in Second Life!

 

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting

Friday, February 15th, 8:30 AM SLT / PST

Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater

http://bit.ly/NPCinSL

 

 

AGENDA

  • 8:30 am Introductions
  • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
  • 8:45 am Mentors Central
  • 8:55 am Lyre Calliope: Community Partnership Development through Hackathons
  • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

 

 

http://nonprofitcommons.org

 

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

Posted on

Transcript of the February 8th NPC Meeting featuring Robert L. Todd

[08:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Welcome everyone to this week’s Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting!

[08:33] Oronoque Westland: @ Rhiannon, many thanks

[08:33] Rhiannon Chatnoir: The Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is sponsored by TechSoup Global and is a program of the TechSoup Global Community & Social Media team

 

TODAY’S AGENDA

 • 8:30 am Introductions

 • 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements

 • 8:45 am Mentors Central

 • 8:55 am Robert L. Todd: BreakThru: Virtual Mentoring for STEM Education

 • 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

 

[08:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: First a few links to start off the meeting. 

 

Here are the many ways to can get involved with the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life:

 

– Nonprofit Commons Blog: http://nonprofitcommons.org

– Wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com

– Twitter: http://twitter.com/npsl

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitcommons

– G+ Community: https://plus.google.com/communities/114212078390326305687 

– Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/TechSoup-Second-Life

– Google Calendar: http://bit.ly/2tMEYh

– http://flavors.me/nonprofitcommons

 

About TechSoup the sponsors of the Nonprofit Commons:

 

– http://www.techsoup.org/stock/howtousetechsoup.asp

– http://flavors.me/techsoup

 

 

— INTRODUCTIONS —

 

[08:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Hello everyone, let’s start off with Introductions!

[08:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Please state your real name, location, org, and the ways we can find you online.

And if you are new to NonProfit Commons, how you found about today’s meeting.

[08:34] Buffy Beale: Buffy Bye, Bridges for Women, Victoria BC Canada, http://www.bridgesforwomen.ca @bridges4women

[08:34] Zinnia Zauber: Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond, Sequim Humanities and Arts Alliance and Peninsula College, Sequim, Olympic Peninsula, Washington. http://www.sequimartsalliance.org http://www.facebook.com/sequimartsalliance @renneemiko

[08:34] Dancers Yao: Kara Bennett, Elder Voices, Los Angeles, CA Human Rights and Health care

[08:34] Andy Evans: Andy Mallon, First Opinions Panel in SL & Social Research Foundation, NYC in RL http://www.socialresearchfoundation.org

[08:34] Ronnie Rhode: Denise Harrison, The Garden for the Missing featuring missing persons: http://www.gardenforthemissing.org/ and SLURL Remora (203,148,21), Project Jason, assistance for families of the missing, http://www.projectjason.org.

[08:35] Gentle Heron: Virtual Ability, Inc. www.virtualability.org

[08:35] Oronoque Westland: Roberta Kilkenny, Hunter College, City University of New York

[08:35] Keko Heckroth: Keith Jones, Cincinnati, OH. Adult and tech ed

[08:35] CarynTopia Silvercloud: Caryn Heilman of Topia Arts Center based in the Berkshires of NW, MA coming to you from NYC today. www.TopiaArts.org @TopiaArtsCenter

[08:35] Grizzla (grizzla.pixelmaid): Chris Robinson, metro Atlanta, Georgia Gwinnett College, Virtual Assistant

[08:35] Glitteractica Cookie: Susan Tenby, Director, Online community and Social Media Team, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, CA USA @suzboop @techsoup @caravanstudios @npsl

[08:35] Frans Charming: Jeroen Frans, http://VesuviusGroup.com, Amsterdam, @Frans

[08:35] CarmenLittleFawn: Lorna Hawkins, Drive By Agony/Keeping Kids Safe, Los Angeles California, Executive Director, GM everybody 🙂

[08:35] Beth Ghostraven: Beth O’Connell, middle school librarian in RL and owner of the Book and Tankard Pub in Victoria City, Caledon

[08:35] Coughran Mayo: Dick Dillon, Innovaision, LLC St. Louis MO @Coughran, @Innovaision

[08:35] Chayenn: Monique Richert, Protect Yourself 1, Inc., Baltimore Maryland, protectyourself1.org, facebook.com/PY1US, @PY1US

[08:35] Rhiannon Chatnoir is Joyce Bettencourt, Boston MA area (about to hit by the snowpocalypse), online community manager of NonProfit Commons, http://joycebettencourt.com, @rhiannonSL

[08:35] Brena Benoir: Brenda Bryan, Preferred Family Healthcare, Kirksville, MO www.pfh.org, @brenabenoir

[08:36] Rhiannon Chatnoir: any other introductions

[08:36] ditto (dikori): Iam ditto and found out about this group by just goin g through the picks

[08:36] Frans Charming: Welcome Ditto

[08:36] CarmenLittleFawn: Hi ditto

[08:37] ditto (dikori): thanks

[08:37] ditto (dikori): hi all of you

[08:37] Rhiannon Chatnoir: welcome ditto, and anyone else new here

[08:37] CarmenLittleFawn: yvw nice to have you with us Ditto

[08:37] Kali Pizzaro: me

[08:37] Kali Pizzaro: sorry kepp trying to get here

[08:37] Beth Ghostraven: Has anyone announced that the chat will be public after the meeting?

[08:37] Ozma Malibu: Sandra Andrews, Floaters Tech Outreach & Floaters Gallery, Arizona, Mexico and On the Road, @ozma.

[08:38] Rhiannon Chatnoir: no, but a good time to, we do archive the chat of this meeting so that we can publish our weekly meetings online

[08:38] Glitteractica Cookie: although I’m not sure we are actually doing that every week on our wiki these days, are we?

[08:38] Adalace Jewell: RoSa Library & Documentation Centre, Brussels, Belgium. http://www.rosadoc.be @adalace

[08:39] Rhiannon Chatnoir: well the chat log ends up on http://nonprofitcommons.org as the archive post

[08:39] Glitteractica Cookie: we used to but I havne’t been keeping up on whether it happens every week. Also not sure it was read by many folks

[08:39] Glitteractica Cookie: oh ok, cool. Rhiannon is such a rockstar, I tell you. She does all these things to keep this community running that we don’t even know

[08:39] Glitteractica Cookie: and she is super humble too. 🙂 We are lucky

[08:40] CarmenLittleFawn: 🙂

[08:40] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thank you – like a lot of long time people here.. we believe in the NPC community

[08:40] Beth Ghostraven: If anyone wants the URL for the chat later, let me know; I put it on my Google docs, but it’s not public unless you know the URL

[08:40] Frans Charming: yay Rhiannon

[08:40] Rhiannon Chatnoir: so let’s move on

 

 

— TECHSOUP ANNOUNCEMENTS —

 

[08:40] Rhiannon Chatnoir: It is time for TechSoup Announcements!

[08:40] Glitteractica Cookie: Yes, I have the announcements: Have you been using the new Google+ communities for your social good work? Sound off in our forums: http://bit.ly/WxHuP7

 

And remember, your input in our forums is always welcome. We know you all are super smart and have lots of techie know-how, so please share it with nonprofits, charities, NGOs, and libraries who have questions! 

 

Next week on February 12, TechSoup’s Jim Lynch will be following in the footsteps of our own Glitteractica Cookie to testify in front of Congress, specifically with the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. He’ll be covering e-waste environmental policy, including the work being done in the humanitarian refurbishment field. More about the Committee here: http://1.usa.gov/XpPjnD and Jim may stop by at a future meeting to talk about the experience.

 

And speaking of TechSoup speaking engagements, back in November Chris Worman, director of communications and special projects for TechSoup Europe, presented:

[08:41] Glitteractica Cookie: Civil Society as We Know It” at TEDx Bucharest. It’s a short talk, but very cool. Watch it here: http://bit.ly/XbsIg9

 

And lastly, The Windows 8 Apps for Social Good contest deadline is fast approaching! Submit by February 28 and win the prize to hatch your bright idea. If the notion of using technology to help others – and win some cash in the process – excites you, this is your contest. Your creativity plus the capabilities of Windows 8 equals a world of inspired solutions to real world problems. 

 

Read more about the contest: http://bit.ly/U6ZSYW

See what makes an ideal submission: http://bit.ly/TSmeid

Check out all the submissions to date in the Project Gallery: http://bit.ly/UjuIO7

 

[08:41] Gentle Heron: QUESTION: What is meant by “humanitarian refurbishment”?

[08:42] Glitteractica Cookie: And as you are reading all of that… I wanted to let you know that teh WIn8 contest is still accepting submissions, and btw you all (my friends) and me… There are not that many submissions

[08:42] Glitteractica Cookie: so if you know how to design a win8 app, or know anyone who does, please enter

[08:42] Glitteractica Cookie: and we also need folks to look at our hacker helper wiki. I mentioned this before

[08:42] Glitteractica Cookie: http://hackerhelper.wikispaces.com

[08:43] Glitteractica Cookie: This is a wiki to help those who are building apps to solve problems in civil society

[08:43] Glitteractica Cookie: please take a minute, so we can see if you think the data we grabbed is right, if you have additional info or links, please do not hesitate to add them, edit the wiki

[08:44] Rhiannon Chatnoir: and I think humanitarian refurbishment refers to working on solutions to recycle ewaste/electronics/etc

[08:44] Glitteractica Cookie: and if you have any questions about any of this, do not hesitate to ask

[08:44] Gentle Heron: Thanks Rhiannon… how is that humanitarian?

[08:44] Glitteractica Cookie: And if you know anyone who has a win8 app in the marketplace that would qualify as a social benefit app, tell them to submit it

[08:44] Glitteractica Cookie: Gentle, We are only relaying the announcements, as you know

[08:45] Glitteractica Cookie: We have not prepared the content

[08:45] Glitteractica Cookie: i’m happy to connect you with Jim Lynch who wrote it

[08:45] Rhiannon Chatnoir: well often ewaste pollutes soil, ground water, etc

[08:45] Gentle Heron: Thanks, I’d be interested in that Glitter.

[08:45] Glitteractica Cookie: in fact, i think he is coming here to NPC

[08:45] Rhiannon Chatnoir: so it is seen as a huge thing to combat in certain areas.. but yes, definitely follow up would be great

[08:45] Rhiannon Chatnoir: and yes, we would love to have him here

[08:45] Glitteractica Cookie: so, you can talk to him there, if you want

[08:46] Glitteractica Cookie: Rhiannon, you were on an email about this yeterday

[08:46] Glitteractica Cookie: so, let’s make sure to get him here

[08:46] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes

[08:46] Glitteractica Cookie: he is actually the world authority on e-waste and what to do with dead electronic

[08:46] Glitteractica Cookie: he invented that stuff, computer recycling

[08:46] Glitteractica Cookie: ok, so that’s all i got

[08:46] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thanks!

[08:47] Glitteractica Cookie: sure!

[08:47] Rhiannon Chatnoir: great to have you present TechSoup stuff today

[08:47] Glitteractica Cookie: 🙂

 

 

— MENTOR’S CENTRAL —

 

[08:47] Rhiannon Chatnoir: so… let’s move on to Mentor’s Central!

[08:47] Glitteractica Cookie: I’ve only been working at techsoup for 13 years… it makes sense for me to present some time

[08:47] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Zinnia will be presenting for this week

[08:47] Buffy Beale: yay Z!

[08:48] Gentle Heron: Thanks Zinnia.

[08:48] Coughran Mayo: nice hat

[08:48] Zinnia Zauber: Hi there!

[08:48] Frans Charming: oh stars!

[08:48] Buffy Beale: hi Jac 🙂

[08:48] CarmenLittleFawn: Ji 😉

[08:49] Gentle Heron waves to Jacques.

[08:49] CarmenLittleFawn: Hi*

[08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Sorry, I am laggy today.

[08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Yes! Stars!

[08:49] Gentle Heron pours coffee on Zinnia’s avatar.

[08:49] Rhiannon Chatnoir: lol

[08:49] Zinnia Zauber: Thought I would remind you all that you’all are All Stars!

[08:50] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Bruce Hestley, Transgender American Veterans Association, Akron, OH, http://www.tavausa.org, http://www.facebook.com/#!/TAVAUS

[08:50] Coughran Mayo: or that we are ALL stars

[08:50] Zinnia Zauber: How many of you believe you are Mentors?

[08:50] Grizzla (grizzla.pixelmaid) laughs at Gentle pouring coffee

[08:50] Gentle Heron: Officially, or unofficially? That is the question. Whether tis nobler……

[08:50] Ozma Malibu: me

[08:50] Andy Evans: If I am, I am reformed, not conservative

[08:50] Buffy Beale: me

[08:50] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes Gentle

[08:50] Gentle Heron laughs with Andy!

[08:50] Buffy Beale: lol did you get the pic Z?

[08:51] Sister (sister.abeyante): LOL

[08:51] Zinnia Zauber: hehe

[08:51] Zinnia Zauber: I mean that you all have something to share or teach?

[08:52] Zinnia Zauber: Can you see my photos?

[08:52] Andy Evans: y

[08:52] Keko Heckroth: Yes, see them

[08:52] Zinnia Zauber: Some of you may have seen this set on Facebook this week.

[08:52] CarmenLittleFawn: y

[08:52] Grizzla (grizzla.pixelmaid): y

[08:52] Zinnia Zauber: This is from a field trip that I did with my video students.

[08:53] Zinnia Zauber: Scottius was my guest speaker.

[08:53] Gentle Heron: a fantastic artist!

[08:53] Zinnia Zauber: How many of you know Scottius?

[08:53] Gentle Heron: I own his book!

[08:53] Frans Charming does not

[08:53] Sister (sister.abeyante) raises her hand

[08:53] Gentle Heron: and he has his art exhibited right now in the Cape Able Art Gallery for Virtual Ability.

[08:53] Zinnia Zauber: He is an amazing artist!

[08:54] Zinnia Zauber: ooo yes! Gentle please share that LM!

[08:54] Gentle Heron: Cape Able (182,171,22) if you want to visit after this session.

[08:54] Zinnia Zauber: thank you!

[08:54] Zinnia Zauber: He shared his work and also took time to review my students’ projects as well.

[08:55] Zinnia Zauber: His time really meant a lot to them.

[08:55] Zinnia Zauber: And, me, of course.

[08:55] CarmenLittleFawn: nice 🙂

[08:55] Zinnia Zauber: His insight was really thoughtful.

[08:56] Zinnia Zauber: And, his work helped changed my students thoughts of how they could tell a story.

[08:56] Zinnia Zauber: We all have stories to tell here in SL.

[08:56] Zinnia Zauber: Is part of your story how you become your best self while helping others?

[08:57] Zinnia Zauber: (hint: YES!)

[08:57] CarmenLittleFawn: yess

[08:57] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you, Carmen!

[08:57] CarmenLittleFawn: heheheh

[08:57] Sister (sister.abeyante) nods

[08:57] Zinnia Zauber: So often we forget that we are information booths of amazing data and gifts.

[08:58] Zinnia Zauber: I want to encourage you all to share what you know. Pay it forward. Be Mentors!

[08:58] CarmenLittleFawn: mmhmmm

[08:58] Coughran Mayo: Where do I sign up?

[08:58] Gentle Heron: Agreed, Zinnia. We are all teachers, and we are all learners.

[08:59] Zinnia Zauber: You don’t have to wear the name tag Mentor to be one.

[08:59] CarmenLittleFawn: nods head

[08:59] Zinnia Zauber: You are already all on the list!

[08:59] Grizzla (grizzla.pixelmaid): Yep – everyone teaches – well or badly 🙂

[08:59] Sister (sister.abeyante) wonders…what are some of the topics folks here would like to learn about or share about?

[08:59] Zinnia Zauber: Yes, like it or not. We all are.

[08:59] Brena Benoir: Each one teach one

[08:59] Zinnia Zauber: Yes Sister!

[09:00] Buffy Beale: Each one teach one reach two 🙂

[09:00] Zinnia Zauber: Mentor Central is a chance to teach, share and be an ALL STAR!

[09:00] Zinnia Zauber: You don’t have to be one of the NPC Mentors to share.

[09:00] Zinnia Zauber: Think about how what you have to teach us.

[09:00] Zinnia Zauber: Tell us what you want to learn.

[09:01] Zinnia Zauber: I live on a Peninsula.

[09:01] Zinnia Zauber: We have to support each other being at the end of the road so to speak.

[09:01] CarmenLittleFawn: it can be any thing Zinnia that you want to learn ?

[09:02] Andy Evans: Is there a list of mentors and their areas of expertise so the learner can choose the right mentor?

[09:02] Rhiannon Chatnoir: anything you think useful to the community at large

[09:02] Zinnia Zauber: Virtual Worlds let’s us have the whole world at the end of the road with us.

[09:02] Zinnia Zauber: We are updating the wiki Andy with that info.

[09:02] CarmenLittleFawn: all right ty rhia

[09:02] Zinnia Zauber: Yes, anything!

[09:03] Rhiannon Chatnoir: 🙂

[09:03] CarmenLittleFawn: ok great ty Zinnia

[09:03] Zinnia Zauber: Please contact me, or any of our NPC Mentors.

[09:03] Rhiannon Chatnoir: great Zinnia

[09:04] Zinnia Zauber: Your time, ideas, and questions will expand all our brains.

[09:04] Zinnia Zauber: I am grateful for having such clever people like you to work with!

[09:04] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you all! And, please remember, you are ALL STARS!

[09:04] Frans Charming applauds

[09:05] CarmenLittleFawn: ty as well , claps

[09:05] Buffy Beale: thanks Z

[09:05] Zinnia Zauber: Get your stars in the little gift box up front.

[09:05] Keko Heckroth: Excellent

[09:05] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!

[09:05] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thanks Zinnia.. and for bringing out your stars today

[09:05] CarmenLittleFawn: how cute, 🙂

 

 

— FEATURED PRESENTATION: ROBERT L. TODD OF GEORGIA TECH —

 

[09:05] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Let’s move on to our Featured Presenter!

[09:05] Dancers Yao: thanks Zinnia as always…great!

[09:05] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Today we have as our featured presenter Robert L. Todd (RobertT Deluxe), who will be discussing the Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance, BreakThru project.

[09:05] Rhiannon Chatnoir: About BreakThru:

The influence of digital media has changed the way students learn, play and socialize. As a result, researchers at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia (UGA) have partnered to develop a virtual learning environment that combines creative avatars and social networking tools to help high school and college students with disabilities to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. The universities work alongside Georgia Perimeter College and the school systems of Georgia’s Greene, Clarke and Gwinnett counties to serve targeted students.

 

http://georgiabreakthru.org/

 

[09:06] Rhiannon Chatnoir: If you want to come up and take a seat Robert

[09:06] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Bio: Robert L. Todd is a Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Accessible Education and Information Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA). His research foci include accessible web design and universal design and accessibility of science and math education. He is currently PI on NSF and Dept of Education initiatives to provide accessible virtual education to students with disabilities and train post-secondary instructors to provide accessible online science and math courses. He leads research and instructional efforts via the Institute on the usability and accessibility of online resources and is a lead designer and instructor for Georgia Tech’s Professional Education certificate courses in Creating Accessible Web Sites and Usability Engineering. He teaches graduate level courses on accessible and usable web design and evaluation through Georgia Tech. He is the creator and former PI for the Assistivetech.net web resource

 

[09:06] CarmenLittleFawn: welcome Robert 🙂

[09:06] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thanks Robert, start whenever you are ready

[09:06] RobertT Deluxe: Thanks, Rhiannon, I’ll let everyone take a minute to absorb all that.

[09:07] Sister (sister.abeyante) is grateful! LOL

[09:07] Gentle Heron: Welcome to NPC, Robert.

[09:07] RobertT Deluxe: And while you are scanning the chat, here is our project URL: http://georgiabreakthru.org/

[09:07] Zinnia Zauber: Rah Robert!

[09:08] Rhiannon Chatnoir: if others can make sure to NOT touch the slide viewer

[09:08] Buffy Beale: yay Robert!!

[09:08] Gentle Heron: Rhiannon, lock the viewer.

[09:08] RobertT Deluxe: I’ll use the projector behind me to supplement my talk.

[09:08] Gentle Heron: Click the padlock icon on the far right side.

[09:08] CarmenLittleFawn: hehehe

[09:08] Gentle Heron: Then Robert can “touch” the padlock and you can grant him access to turn slides, but keep us from doing so.

[09:08] RobertT Deluxe: Our goal with BreakThru is to enhance STEM education for students, and lead on to STEM graduate work and employment

[09:09] Glitteractica Cookie: What is the twitter handle?

[09:10] RobertT Deluxe: We know that students with disabilities often don’t get a truly level playing field in that area, so we are using virtual mentoring (thanks for discussing mentoring, Zinnia!) to help solve that problem.

[09:10] RobertT Deluxe: And our project proves Ga Tech and UGA can actually get along. 🙂

[09:10] Gentle Heron: That is a major finding!

[09:10] RobertT Deluxe: We address all STEM education for students in high school and college

[09:10] Zinnia Zauber: 🙂

[09:11] Glitteractica Cookie: I just looked up the twitter handle @breakthruGSAA

[09:11] RobertT Deluxe: For those not familiar with STEM acronym, see behind me

[09:11] RobertT Deluxe: Thanks Cookie.

[09:11] Rhiannon Chatnoir: thanks Glitter

[09:11] RobertT Deluxe: Vesuvius (take a bow Rhiannon) has created the virtual mentoring islands which are our centerpiece

[09:12] RobertT Deluxe: BUT … we use all forms of electronic, mediated communication for the project

[09:12] RobertT Deluxe: Students choose which tools they prefer, freely

[09:12] RobertT Deluxe: SL is popular, but so are Skype and Google Hangouts, etc

[09:13] RobertT Deluxe: We base all our work on UDL principles, so we can impact students with and without disabilities

[09:13] RobertT Deluxe: Check out cast.org/udl for info on how Universal Design can assist in learning

[09:13] Glitteractica Cookie: UDL?

[09:13] Gentle Heron: Universal Design for Learning

[09:13] RobertT Deluxe: Universal Design for Learning

[09:13] Glitteractica Cookie: thx

[09:14] RobertT Deluxe: (All, let me know if you have trouble viewing the presentation behind me, so I can fill in the details)

[09:15] RobertT Deluxe: We have several partners/test beds right now, hoping to expand with time

[09:15] RobertT Deluxe: They include:

[09:15] RobertT Deluxe: Georgia Tech with the University of Georgia as lead institutions. Georgia Perimeter College and three Georgia public school systems are also critical partners in the project.

[09:15] RobertT Deluxe: And we want to address the 3 goals behind me on the projector

[09:16] RobertT Deluxe: Retention of students, entry into STEM fields, and or course increased numbers are important

[09:17] RobertT Deluxe: The Islands created by Vesuvius focus the overall efforts, one for post secondary students, one for secondary students

[09:17] RobertT Deluxe: But identical, and connected by a bridge that is a “shared” space between all groups

[09:17] Gentle Heron: Cute metaphor… the bridge.

[09:18] RobertT Deluxe: It really is a good metaphor, and it allows us to keep security high for the under age students, while allowing all to share and help each other

[09:18] RobertT Deluxe: As Zinnia, said, mentoring can be powerful, and the program is focused on matching students with effective mentors in STEM

[09:19] RobertT Deluxe: Mentors guide students through their studies, and especially at the critical junctures

[09:19] RobertT Deluxe: Such as high school to college, college to workforce

[09:19] Kali Pizzaro: transitional periods?

[09:19] RobertT Deluxe: Yes.

[09:20] Kali Pizzaro: which can be difficult

[09:20] Kali Pizzaro: 🙂

[09:20] RobertT Deluxe: We’ve found the transitions are where the students often get lost in the shuffle

[09:20] RobertT Deluxe: Especially students who need certain accommodations for learning materials

[09:20] Gentle Heron: Students on IEP are supposed to have “transition plans” in place well before those transitions occur.

[09:21] RobertT Deluxe: Heron, they are, yes – but you’d be surprised how man are still left floundering when the arrive on campus

[09:21] RobertT Deluxe: they arrive, sorry

[09:21] Gentle Heron: No, sadly, I would not be at all surprised.

[09:21] Kali Pizzaro: Notes the use of the word ‘meant’ by Gentle

[09:22] Coughran Mayo: 🙂

[09:22] RobertT Deluxe: So we and the mentors use many tools, including video case studies shared via SL and YouTube

[09:23] RobertT Deluxe: Modeling for empowerment of the students, for example, showing them in SL and via the videos how to work with campus resources

[09:23] RobertT Deluxe: Just for one example

[09:23] RobertT Deluxe: For those who like nerdy example, this is our Theory of Change, behind me on the screen

[09:24] Josain Zsun: Will these slides be available later?

[09:24] Gentle Heron: Robert, will you please put these slides on SlideShare so we can look at them later?

[09:24] RobertT Deluxe: As a research project, we want to help all students, but we also take data every day, for analysis

[09:24] RobertT Deluxe: Yes, I certainly will share them

[09:24] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you!

[09:25] RobertT Deluxe: As you can see, there are many steps, so a focus like SL helps us to keep it “all together”

[09:25] Oronoque Westland: oooops, sorry

[09:25] RobertT Deluxe: And regarding our UDL philosophy, see this slide

[09:26] RobertT Deluxe: We want to figure out what works best for the students with specific needs, via mentoring, but also what can help ALL students succeed

[09:27] RobertT Deluxe: These are some of the benefits our preliminary data set is showing for the use of virtual world mentoring

[09:27] RobertT Deluxe: For example, we have some mentor/student pairs that are separated by oceans

[09:27] RobertT Deluxe: But now they have access to the best fit for a mentor

[09:28] RobertT Deluxe: This is a rough map of the space

[09:29] Frans Charming smiles at our map

[09:29] RobertT Deluxe: And these are examples of outside STEM sources that we have used or discussed with our students

[09:29] RobertT Deluxe: Sadly, they don’t all stay available

[09:30] RobertT Deluxe: But we guide students to other SL resources on STEM every week

[09:30] RobertT Deluxe: And if you check out our site URL, you will see many learning modules to assist students at high school and college levels

[09:30] RobertT Deluxe: Hope you can see these

[09:31] Frans Charming nods

[09:31] RobertT Deluxe: But you can find them all at georgiabreakthru.org

[09:31] RobertT Deluxe: Feel free to use any of those resources with students who are struggling

[09:32] RobertT Deluxe: Time is short, but I want to add we addressed many accessibility and novice log-in concerns with the help of Vesuvius

[09:32] RobertT Deluxe: Like the registration API process in the slide

[09:32] RobertT Deluxe: We’ve tried to make use of SL as, well, foolproof as possible since many students, mentors and teachers had never encountered it

[09:33] RobertT Deluxe: Just one more thing … examples of some of the accessibility challenges in SL and other media we have addressed

[09:34] RobertT Deluxe: Rhiannon, time is running out, I think I’ll let folks ask questions

[09:34] Rhiannon Chatnoir: sure, if anyone has questions for Robert

[09:34] Sister (sister.abeyante): Question: When you say you’ve “addressed” those challenges- do you mean you have found solutions that work for all in SL?

[09:34] RobertT Deluxe: (just browsing through slide and will share them all)

[09:35] Zinnia Zauber: All of this is wonderful, Robert! Thank you!

[09:35] RobertT Deluxe: In some cases, yes.

[09:35] Buffy Beale: really great info

[09:35] RobertT Deluxe: Let me show a couple of examples

[09:35] RobertT Deluxe: These are some tools we have used for very low vision/blind students

[09:36] RobertT Deluxe: Some are easy, like changing SL preferences, some hard

[09:36] RobertT Deluxe: And some, like chat instead of mic, pretty obvious

[09:36] Gentle Heron: Although that makes it difficult for those who don’t type well or at all

[09:36] RobertT Deluxe: Aha, yes, good one

[09:37] Gentle Heron: Is there a state school for the deaf and blind in Georgia?

[09:37] Kali Pizzaro: Do you allow text chat 🙂

[09:37] RobertT Deluxe: Which is why we have students experimenting with a mix of mic and chat, and also voice input tech

[09:37] Kali Pizzaro: and emoticons

[09:37] RobertT Deluxe: Text chat, yes. Students choose which forms of communication they prefer

[09:37] Rhiannon Chatnoir: text chat is allowed

[09:37] Kali Pizzaro: Q: Did I miss the methodology, is this a mixed methods

[09:38] RobertT Deluxe: Mixed methods, yes

[09:38] Kali Pizzaro: so a vast amount of data 🙂

[09:38] RobertT Deluxe: Oh, yes, I have a bottle of Excedrin on my desk to prove it

[09:38] RobertT Deluxe: 🙂

[09:38] Josain Zsun: These ideas resonate with Marc Prensky’s ‘partnerships’ in “Teaching Digital Natives”

[09:39] Zinnia Zauber: lol

[09:39] RobertT Deluxe: Zsun, can you link me to that info. I’d love to see.

[09:39] Kali Pizzaro: Reading you slide now I have found similar findings in my study – the representation of self and when to disclose or not a disability

[09:39] Gentle Heron: Robert, Kali is a researcher you will want to connect with.

[09:40] RobertT Deluxe: One of the most interesting aspects of this project – when and why do students disclose or choose not to do so

[09:40] Kali Pizzaro: 🙂

[09:40] RobertT Deluxe: Thanks for that tip … I’m very interested in pursuing

[09:40] Kali Pizzaro: I will give Gentle the $LL later

[09:40] Kali Pizzaro: 🙂

[09:41] Gentle Heron: now now Kali!

[09:41] Kali Pizzaro: lol

[09:41] Rhiannon Chatnoir: ha

[09:41] Rhiannon Chatnoir: commission eh

[09:41] Sister (sister.abeyante): I am wondering… How open is Breakthru to collaborating with other nonprofits or SL based communities that also focus on inclusion of pwd?

[09:41] RobertT Deluxe: As you can see from the board, we could spend all day discussing aspects of accommodations, but I’ll share those slides so we can all communicate about that topic later

[09:41] RobertT Deluxe: Very interested.

[09:41] Gentle Heron: QUESTION Did you use the AAAS listing of scientists with disabilities to choose your mentors? Or how did you recruit them? And how do you train mentors?

[09:41] Kali Pizzaro: excellent

[09:41] RobertT Deluxe: We know we don’t have all the answers.

[09:42] RobertT Deluxe: Just LOTS of questions.

[09:42] Sister (sister.abeyante): Great! What is your preferred means for connecting with other groups, Robert?

[09:42] RobertT Deluxe: my email: robert.todd@coa.gatech.edu

[09:42] Sister (sister.abeyante): Thanks!

[09:42] RobertT Deluxe: Easiest way to reach me. And please do!

[09:43] RobertT Deluxe: Do we need to wrap up, Rhiannon? I think my big mouth has kept us way over time

[09:43] Josain Zsun: How does one become a STEM mentor in SL?

[09:43] Rhiannon Chatnoir: any last questions before we wrap up with Robert

[09:43] Frans Charming: I would like to add that we have been adding game based learning in to the islands, and are adding more.

[09:44] Frans Charming: One example is that we made animals interactive, and provide the students with information about the animals, and link to web resources about

[09:44] Sister (sister.abeyante): Can you provide (maybe you did and I missed it!) the LM or SLURL to the islands?

[09:44] Gentle Heron: QUESTION Did you use the AAAS listing of scientists with disabilities to choose your mentors? Or how did you recruit them? And how do you train mentors?

[09:44] Frans Charming: It’s a ongoing project and will be adding more interactivity to island, to encourage use of it.

[09:44] RobertT Deluxe: We love the animals and the other interactivity that Vesuvius is providing.

[09:44] Rhiannon Chatnoir: the islands are closed access due to privacy/minors

[09:44] Jen (jenelle.levenque): Question:How do you recruit your students?

[09:45] Gentle Heron: So Frans, you see that a major issue for these students is lack of content knowledge? Is that related to the education they received in public school?

[09:45] RobertT Deluxe: Mentor recruitment: We posted notices at Georgia Tech and UGA, and … we had an excellent response.

[09:45] Sister (sister.abeyante): Closed? So, how do new people get involved or sign up?

[09:45] RobertT Deluxe: They are grad students, faculty, and some STEM lab folks in the workforce

[09:46] RobertT Deluxe: One sec and I’ll post the contact info

[09:46] Gentle Heron: Do your mentors have disabilities?

[09:46] Beth Ghostraven: Robert, can you make the slides available online please?

[09:46] Jen (jenelle.levenque): QUESTION: Do you have anything set up to accommodate the special needs of veterans who are disabled?

[09:47] Frans Charming: Gentle, it is more about providing information/ science facts, and incorperating them in the island. I have no idea what the students knowledge is.

[09:47] Rhiannon Chatnoir: you can email Robert on possible collaborations and further questions robert.todd@coa.gatech.edu

[09:47] Namaara MacMoragh: And how do you meet the needs of those with cognitive challenges due to brain injury?

[09:47] RobertT Deluxe: I will do so. And some mentors, yes, have disabilities, but we found students are more concerned (usually) that the STEM interest take precedence over other issues of choice

[09:47] Gentle Heron: That is an important finding, Robert!

[09:47] RobertT Deluxe: And it surprised us.

[09:48] Sister (sister.abeyante): What a wonderful opportunity to involve scientists w/ disabilities in interacting with students with disabilities, though.

[09:48] RobertT Deluxe: We have a small number of those scientists

[09:48] Rhiannon Chatnoir: let’s try to wrap up this part of the meeting, not sure on Robert’s time, but please reach out to him after this and if he is ok sharing his presentation, we will put a link to it up on http://nonprofitcommons.org

[09:48] Sister (sister.abeyante): Are you interested in recruiting more? Gentle, what’s that list you mentioned?

[09:49] Gentle Heron: oh the AAAS used to publish a listing of scientists with disabilities.

[09:49] CarmenLittleFawn: very good information and ty for sharing, wow Robert generated a lot os interest have to go I will look into this futher for sure 🙂 thanks again Robert, bye for now everybody

[09:49] Rhiannon Chatnoir: If you took pictures today, please share them on our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitcommons or G+ Community: https://plus.google.com/communities/114212078390326305687, that would be great. Otherwise, tag them #NPSL

[09:49] RobertT Deluxe: Folks, if you are interested in being a mentor or referring someone else, you can contact Gerri Wolfe at the address above

[09:49] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Let’s thanks Robert for presenting today

[09:50] Kali Pizzaro: Fantastic and important work – good luck with the future analysis! I look forward to reading the papers

[09:50] RobertT Deluxe: gwolfe@uga.edu

[09:50] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Robert!

 

 

— OPEN MIC & ANNOUNCEMENTS —

 

[09:50] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Let’s move on to Open Mic & Announcements

[09:50] RobertT Deluxe: Sorry I skipped a few questions, my fingers don’t move so quickly

[09:50] Gentle Heron: Thank you Robert. As you can tell, many in our audience here have a deep interest in this subject.

[09:50] Rhiannon Chatnoir: anyone have any announcements

[09:50] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes

[09:50] Keko Heckroth: Thank you for a very informative presentation

[09:50] RobertT Deluxe: But email me for any followup … I truly want to hear

[09:50] Buffy Beale: clapping for Robert, great presentation thanks!

[09:50] Frans Charming applauds

[09:51] Gentle Heron: Oh Rhiannon, you know Virtual Ability always has announcements.

[09:51] RobertT Deluxe: Thanks, and again, keep in touch with those questions/suggestions

[09:51] Rhiannon Chatnoir: lol, then go ahead Gentle

[09:51] RobertT Deluxe: robert.todd@coa.gatech.edu

[09:51] Rhiannon Chatnoir: yes!

[09:51] Gentle Heron: Thanks Robert, we’ll be in touch again.

[09:51] Gentle Heron: Some Virtual Ability events coming up today and this weekend:

 

TODAY!

11am SLT- Second Life’s Little Secret: A discussion with Saffia Widdershins about the age distribution in SL

Virtual Ability (53,172,23)

[09:51] Gentle Heron: TODAY!

noonSLT- What is One Billion Rising About? by Honour McMillan (It’s a world wide movement against violence experienced by women.)

Virtual Ability (53,172,23)

[09:51] Gentle Heron: TOMORROW (Sat)

8am SLT- Phelan Corrimal tells about Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE)- how it is becoming accessible, and how to participate.

Virtual Ability (53,172,23)

[09:51] Brena Benoir raises hand for open mic

[09:52] Gentle Heron: SUNDAY

noon SLT- Sister Abeyante talks about Self-Advocacy. She’s an expert!

Virtual Ability (44,138,23)

[09:52] Gentle Heron: Please join us for these and upcoming events of interest.

[09:52] Gentle Heron: (done for this week)

[09:52] Rhiannon Chatnoir: great and thanks Gentle

[09:52] Rhiannon Chatnoir: Brena, your up

[09:52] Brena Benoir: Please join us this Sunday February 10 at 6pm SLT at the Art House where Acoutisenergy Nitely will be performing

[09:53] Brena Benoir: This is a continuation of the fundraiser for ARTC, the creative arts program at PFH

[09:53] Zinnia Zauber: ART HOUSE Rocks!

[09:53] Gentle Heron: What a lovely concept!

[09:53] Brena Benoir: We will be wrapping our fundraiser up next Friday at 11am SLT where will will be doing the drawing for those who have entered

[09:54] Zinnia Zauber: http://secondlife.com/destination/artc-art-house

[09:54] Brena Benoir: Please join us from 11-12:30pm SLT for a the closing event, this is a PG event as we will be streaming it for the kids on the unit

[09:54] Kali Pizzaro: got to go do housework, I believe in these times of austerity that housework should have been one of the first things to be banned!

[09:54] Buffy Beale: wow that’s great Bren

[09:55] Brena Benoir: The kids have enjoyed hearing about people supporting them and encouraging their artisitc talents

[09:55] Kali Pizzaro: Take care

[09:55] Brena Benoir: We will be making a huge deal of this in RL for them and are doing a sober party while we have SL streaming and doing the drawing

[09:55] Rhiannon Chatnoir: great

[09:55] Brena Benoir: thank you for your support!

[09:55] Frans Charming: sober party?

[09:55] Zinnia Zauber: It has been wonderful to support the ARTC program!

[09:56] Zinnia Zauber: Thank you Brena!

[09:56] Brena Benoir: to celebrate their recovery efforts-they are in drug and alcohol treatment

[09:56] Frans Charming: Ah. 🙂

[09:56] Brena Benoir: 🙂

[09:56] Rhiannon Chatnoir: any other announcements

[09:57] Tori Landau raises hand

[09:57] Rhiannon Chatnoir: go Tori

[09:57] Tori Landau: Ty °͜°

[09:57] Tori Landau: Tuesday 12th at 1pm slt is the Open session, dicussion this month is, “is it love in a virtual world”:

[09:58] Tori Landau: Deep Think West (68,46,37)

[09:58] Tori Landau: and Wed 13th at 1.15pm slt for 30 mins is the drop-in

[09:58] Tori Landau: Deep Think East (224,38,32)

[09:58] Tori Landau: done °͜°

[09:59] Rhiannon Chatnoir: great

[09:59] Rhiannon Chatnoir: well let’s wrap up for this week

[09:59] Kali Pizzaro: waves bye and ‘poofs’

[09:59] Josain Zsun glad to be home sick and able to attend

[09:59] Rhiannon Chatnoir: And again, here are the many ways to can get involved with the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life:

 

– Nonprofit Commons Blog: http://nonprofitcommons.org

– Wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com

– Twitter: http://twitter.com/npsl

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitcommons

– G+ Community: https://plus.google.com/communities/114212078390326305687 

– Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/TechSoup-Second-Life

– Google Calendar: http://bit.ly/2tMEYh

– http://flavors.me/nonprofitcommons

 

About TechSoup the sponsors of the Nonprofit Commons:

 

– http://www.techsoup.org/stock/howtousetechsoup.asp

– http://flavors.me/techsoup

 

Thanks everyone and see you next week!

 

[09:59] Buffy Beale: bye Kali 🙂

[09:59] Zinnia Zauber: Great meeting!

[09:59] Sister (sister.abeyante): Thanks!

[09:59] Rhiannon Chatnoir: and thanks again Robert

[09:59] ditto (dikori): thanks bye

[09:59] RobertT Deluxe: Good to meet you all, and hello again to some of my friends out there

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir

Posted on

BreakThru: Virtual Mentoring for STEM Education for the February 8th NonProfit Commons Meeting

This Friday, February 8th, Nonprofit Commons is happy to feature Robert L. Todd, who will be discussing the Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance (GSAA) project, also known as BreakThru, which is an innovative learning community that connects students with disabilities and peer mentors in a unique way to promote universal learning and accessibility to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) based degrees.

About BreakThru:

The influence of digital media has changed the way students learn, play and socialize. As a result, researchers at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia (UGA) have partnered to develop a virtual learning environment that combines creative avatars and social networking tools to help high school and college students with disabilities to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. The universities work alongside Georgia Perimeter College and the school systems of Georgia’s Greene, Clarke and Gwinnett counties to serve targeted students.

Funded by a 5-year grant from the National Science Foundation’s Research in Disabilities Education program, the Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance (GSAA)/BreakThru virtual world provides a Mentoring Island where students meet and interact with mentors to address their STEM education needs.

http://georgiabreakthru.org/

bio: Robert L. Todd is a Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Accessible Education and Information Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA). His research foci include accessible web design and universal design and accessibility of science and math education. He is currently PI on NSF and Dept of Education initiatives to provide accessible virtual education to students with disabilities and train post-secondary instructors to provide accessible online science and math courses. He leads research and instructional efforts via the Institute on the usability and accessibility of online resources and is a lead designer and instructor for Georgia Tech’s Professional Education certificate courses in Creating Accessible Web Sites and Usability Engineering. He teaches graduate level courses on accessible and usable web design and evaluation through Georgia Tech. He is the creator and former PI for the Assistivetech.net web resource on assistive technology.

Join us in Second Life!

Nonprofit Commons Weekly Meeting
Friday, February 8th, 8:30 AM SLT / PST
Plush Nonprofit Commons Amphitheater
http://bit.ly/NPCinSL

AGENDA
• 8:30 am Introductions
• 8:40 am TechSoup Announcements
• 8:45 am Mentors Central
• 8:55 am Robert L. Todd: BreakThru: Virtual Mentoring for STEM Education
• 9:30 am Open Mic / Announcements

http://nonprofitcommons.org

The mission of the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life is to create a community for nonprofits to explore and learn about virtual worlds, foster connections, and discover the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize the unique environment of Second Life to achieve their missions.

Written by: Rhiannon Chatnoir