New World Newsfeed: University of Texas System Creates Statewide Virtual Learning Campus in Second Life

Significant education news: the University of Texas is announcing a statewide initiative in Second Life that will connect to the states' 16 campuses, with a program "that emphasizes teaching in the areas of science/math, international/ intercultural, and health/medical, among other areas." (Here's the official blog.) Appropriate to the largest state in the US, and a university system with 200K students, the virtual campus will range over 49 islands and include distance learning initiatives. It's billed as "the nation’s first university system to roll out a virtual learning environment statewide," and centered at the University of Texas at Austin. UT/Austin is a major hub for high tech and artistic innovation, and serves as a major starting point for the country's architects, filmmakers, game designers, computer industry staff, etc. etc. and is a major reason Austin has such a rich film/game/live music community. So as students in those areas engage with the SL campus, it's easy to imagine them spinning off metaverse projects of their own, as they graduate.

Before all that happens, however, the campus has to be built in SL -- I can't find it in-world, and no SLurl accompanies any of the many announcements I've read. Stand by for that.

Update, 1:10pm: Much more detail on the Lindens' blog. Still no SLurl though.

Comments

[JIll]

Interesting. e cigarette

[Fogwoman Gray]

Ahem.....Hello to you from Alaska. Which would be the largest state in the US. And if we split our state in half then Texas would be third largest :P

[Leslie Jarmon]

CORRECTION: Although it is true that this is "the nation’s first university system to roll out a virtual learning environment statewide," the initiative is NOT centered at the University of Texas at Austin. It is centered with the UT System that represents all 15 campuses across the state (9 full academic campuses of which UT Austin is only 1; and 6 medical and health science institutions, including, for example, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center). We are at the very beginning of this initiative, and the SLURLS will lead to where each of the campuses decide to direct visitors and collaborators -- once there is content generated. The Chancellors of the UT System have 4 islands that make up the hub of the new archipelago. Stand by for that SLURL.
Thank you for your interest. - Leslie Jarmon, PI

[Cross Country Home Services]

Yes, Its right if we divide the state than Texas will be third largest state.

[J hass Group]

We are at the very beginning of this initiative, and the SLURLS will lead to where each of the campuses decide to direct visitors and collaborators -- once there is content generated.

[Danny DeMichele Video]

Although it is true that this is "the nation’s first university system to roll out a virtual learning environment statewide," the initiative is not centered at the University of Texas at Austin. It is centered with the UT System that represents all 15 campuses across the state.

[GK Scott]

We are at the very beginning of this initiative, and the SLURLS will lead to where each of the campuses decide to direct visitors and collaborators.

[Up Interactive]

It is centered with the UT System that represents all 15 campuses across the state.We are at the very beginning of this initiative, and the SLURLS will lead to where each of the campuses decide to direct visitors and collaborators.