After the Conference
Attendance at the "Stepping Into..." conferences can last more than one day. Those registering this conference will become part of an ongoing online community of people interested in the use of virtual world technologies for teaching and promoting a variety of disciplines.
Links
Field Trips
Below are some of the locations you may visit on your field trips during the conference!
What is the "Stepping into..." Series?
What if, in addition to reading a book, we could actually visit the locations we read about?
What if, instead of reading the words of a Lincoln or a Shakespeare, we could hear them speak?
What if, instead of staring at a two-dimensional website, we could walk into and through the page of the screen?
The technology of virtual worlds is opening up a new universe of possibilities for students and lifelong learners. Many experts say we are moving from the area of the two-dimensional webpage to the era of the three-dimensional virtual world. The "Stepping into" series of conferences is your chance to learn about, and experience for yourself, the power of virtual worlds. Over the coming months, we will explore some of the best and most creative work being done in virtual worlds, in the areas of history, literature, medicine, science and more.
Stepping into Literature:
August 4 and 6, 2008
The "Stepping into Literature" Conference will take place on August 4th, 2008 and again on August 6th. During this conference, we will talk about and actually visit some of the best and most creative work being done in promoting a love of literature in a virtual world environment. It will be held entirely in the virtual world of Second Life.
During the conference, participants will:
* Hear a keynote presentation from Beth Ritter-Guth (Desideria Stockton in Second Life), creator of Literature Alive! Literature Alive! in Second Life is an academic project aimed at collecting and distributing resources for the development of literary projects of collegiate worth in SL. The mission of Literature Alive! is to distribute resources for the teaching of immersive literature on the teen and adult grids of Second Life.
* Visit and learn about a variety of literature-related sites in Second Life
* Take part in a "virtual book discussion"
* Listen to and talk with real authors who have used virtual world platforms to promote their writing
* Take part in a panel discussion with a variety of leaders who are using virtual worlds to promote a love of literature
The cost of this day-long conference is only $65.00. To learn more about the conference,or to register, see the links at left.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for educators, librarians, publishers, booklovers, or anyone who is dedicated to promoting a a greater appreciation of literature in our society.
How do I attend a Virtual Conference?
You may attend this conference in one of two ways. The most effective way is to actually enter the virtual world of Second Life. By doing this, you will be able to fully participate in the conference, including exploring historical simulations on your own. A Second Life account is free, although Second Life does not run well on all computers. An orientation for new Second Life users will be included in the conference fee. To learn more or to set up a Second Life account, go to Second Life
A second choice,for those whose computers will not support Second Life or who prefer not to have to learn the program, is to attend through an Adobe Connect™ room. Using this method, you will "tag along" with an actual participant, seeing what they see and attending the sessions along with them. This method does not allow for as full an experience, but it is an excellent option for those who would like to attend but do not have time or inclination to create a Second Life account.