Introduction+to+Virtual+Worlds+in+the+Classroom

Session Description:
In 2007, research giant Gartner famously predicted that “80 Percent of active internet users will have a "Second Life" in the virtual world by the end of 2011.” Indeed, even as the world slipped into recession, Second Life’s economy (linked to US dollars) grew 65% in 2009. What potential does the virtual world of Second Life hold for educators? How can having a presence in Second Life help you become a better teacher? Finally, how can Second Life benefit students? Participants will create and customize their Second Life avatar and acquire a FREE collection of supplies and resources that will allow them to safely and confidently explore all that Second Life has to offer educators, including a vibrant, international community of learners. This workshop is oriented to first-time users of Second Life but experienced avatars will benefit from the wealth of resources we will share as well.

You will learn: 1. … how to create, customize and operate your Second Life ‘avatar’ with confidence & purpose. 2. … how leading schools, universities and businesses worldwide are using Second Life as a communication, learning, networking and recruiting tool. 3. …how to use Second Life to expand professional learning opportunities and explore classroom applications for virtual worlds.

Presenter Bio: Kevin Jarrett, Northfield, NJ
Kevin has been a K-4 Technology Facilitator at Northfield Community School in Northfield, NJ USA since 2003. In this role he is responsible for technology instruction in a lab setting for the entire elementary student body (540+ students as of 2009-2010). Rather than just “teaching computer class,” Kevin delivers engaging, informative, challenging and enjoyable lessons that integrate with content being taught by his classroom-teacher peers while leveraging state-of-the-art Web 2.0 and social media technologies. In addition to his classroom instructional duties, Kevin mentors his fellow teachers on the integration of technology into their teaching practices and has designed & lead technology professional development workshops in his district and around the country. A Google Certified Teacher, Kevin was named Northfield Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year in 2008-2009. He also received the International Society for Technology in Education’s “Making It Happen” Award in 2008 in recognition of his efforts supporting ISTE’s presence in Second Life. Kevin is a firm believer in the value of social networks for learning and is very active on Twitter. He is an active member of the New Jersey Education Association and has assisted the NJEA with a range of technology initiatives and played a substantial role in planning and organizing the the 2009 NJEA Convention’s “High Tech Hall”.

Outside of school, Kevin is the advisor for Northfield Community School’s student newspaper/media club, The T-Bird Times (which is powered by the Ning.com social networking engine). Kevin also teaches online, part-time at Walden University in the Master’s program at the Richard W. Riley School of Education & Leadership specializing in Integrating Technology into the Curriculum. Kevin left a 17-year career in the private sector (most recently I.T. project management & consulting) to pursue teaching as a second, “dream” career, a change that was the basis for this Education World article. He lives in Northfield, NJ with his wife Mary and two daughters, Jamie and Holly.

You can view some of Kevin’s past presentations & workshops here. You can explore his digital footprint here.