Blackboard Greenhouse Project for Virtual Worlds: The IDIA Second Life/Blackboard Building Block Project
BbWorld ’09
7/15/2009 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
National Harbor 2
Theme
Expanding and Improving Online Learning, Strategic Initiatives
Special Topics
Featured Speaker(s), Openness and Extending Blackboard Software
Speakers
John Fillwalk, Director of the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts, Ball State University
Session Description
Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA) has produced a bridging toolset, linking the multi-user virtual environment of Second Life with Blackboard Learn – providing a unified, secure and fluid hybrid learning experience. This project is funded by the Blackboard Greenhouse Grant for Virtual Worlds and has produced an open-source Building Block.
IDIA at Ball State University (BSU) created a virtual and web-based software toolset to manage, administrate and facilitate any hybrid Second Life / Blackboard Learn instructional experience. These Blackboard Building Blocks and Second Life scripts were specifically developed for a “hands-on” cinematography course taught with a complete set of virtualized filmmaking equipment. This pilot course also served as a prototype for Blackboard courses from any discipline that uses Second Life – especially in the delivery of studio, laboratory or other hands-on modes of learning – extending the modes of typical distance-learning offerings. The pairing of Blackboard technology augments Second Life as is not designed with course management tools to operate effective self-contained distance instruction.
Join us for a discussion of these tools, released by IDIA, which have resulted in the public availability of Blackboard Building Blocks that facilitate automated communication between Blackboard Learn and Second Life, and more generally, the conceptual template for using Blackboard Learn to manage virtual world creation, access, and activity in Second Life.For more information-http://www.nmc.org/files/ACUTA_Article_SecondLife.pdfhttp://www.bsu.edu/news/article/0,1370,-1019-61661,00.html
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2008/03/bsus-entry-into-second-life-is-grounded-in-emerging-media-expertise.aspx
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2008/08/2008-campus-technology-innovators-virtual-world-learning.aspx
http://www.acuta.org/wcm/acuta/pdf/iea2010_brochure.pdf
http://www.blackboard.com/Company/Media-Center/Press-Releases/Archive.aspx?releaseid=1109469
More Information: http://www.bbworld.com/2009/bbworld/content.asp?id=1487