This content requires Macromedia Flash Player. Get Flash
Second Life Grid » Second Life: Enterprises & Educators » Education


Virtual Environments Enable New Models of Learning

Hundreds of leading universities and school systems around the world use Second Life as a vibrant part of their educational programs. Linden Lab works enthusiastically with education organizations to familiarize them with the benefits of virtual worlds, connect them with educational peers active in Second Life, and showcase their inworld projects and communities.

A large, active education community—with hundreds of K-12 and higher education members—are engaged in Second Life. The Open University, Harvard, Texas State, and Stanford are just a few of the many universities that have set up virtual campuses where students can meet, attend classes, and create content together.

Second Life has also proven a valuable professional development medium for educators. Organizations such as the NMC have fostered shared learning among educators and are networking, running inworld seminars, conferences and symposia on learning and creativity related to virtual worlds. Visit the NMC website to learn about the range of Second Life related information and activity on offer or learn about the programs produced by their diverse international membership.

And, when you’re ready to purchase land and establish a campus online, we have discounted rates for educators.

Education Case Studies

  • Developing New Learning And Collaboration Environments For Educators: The New Media Consortium (NMC) In Second Life (PDF).
  • The Open University’s Place for Us:Providing Geographically Dispersed Students & Faculty A Place to Meet and Learn Together The Open University in Second Life (PDF).

New Educator Pilot Program

Before you begin your own Second Life project or campus, we encourage you to go inworld to meet other educators and learn how to teach classes, network, and interact with students in new and unique ways in the virtual world. The best part is--it's free. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), one of the many vibrant education communities in Second Life, will help you discover education-related areas in Second Life through the New Educator Pilot Program, which offers many benefits and resources including:

  • Live "Docents" volunteer assistance during regularly scheduled hours
  • Scheduled tours, speaker series, and special events
  • Showcased destinations and educational uses of SL
  • Socials to learn from other educators about how they are using SL
  • Tools to enable your educational uses of SL
  • Additional tutorials to help you land on your feet

Plug into the Education Community in Second Life

Connect with other educators, or non-profits, using Second Life at the following blogs and listservs, which provide up-to-date information on activities, support, and communities:

back to top