VWBPE Conference

Hello everyone,

I wanted to bring your attention to the Virtual World Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Conference.  It is a free conference running from March 15-17, 2012.  Chris Luchs, Associate Dean of CTE at CCCOnline, is one of the conference organizers.  Below is a information regarding the conference from Chris.  I hope some of you are able to take advantage of this conference -- it sounds like it will be full of great information!

Terry 

Info from Chris:

On March 1st, CCCS released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for $10,000 to $100,000 grant applications for game based and immersive learning projects. This is part of President McCallin's proposed $3 million grant program for incorporating games based learning into our classroom and online instruction that she announced at the 2011 2:2 conference.

For instructors not familiar with virtual worlds, games, simulations, and alternative reality, there is a free online conference running from March 15 - 17, 2012. This conference is the Virtual World Best Practices in Education (http://www.vwbpe.org) and last year almost 2,500 educators logged in from around the world to attend this conference. VWBPE takes place in a virtual world called Second Life (http://secondlife.com/). However, you do not have to explore this event unprepared. 

On March 8, 2012, we will be holding two informational sessions to provide an overview and an orientation for those interested in attending the conference. The two sessions are:

Conference Overview on Elluminate  March 8th from 1 – 2 pm MST and 

Orientation to Second Life March 8th from 2 – 3:30 pm MST.

The Conference Overview session will go over where the conference will be held. We will also identify the games and virtual worlds presentations for attendees. This will give you an inside track to efficiently and effectively utilize your time while at the conference.  This session will be delivered via Blackboard Collaborate at https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008363&password=M.6DF43B6EDFA48BA68570CC4BF2C858

You can also attend this at Westminster Campus of Front Range Community College in room C1158 just next to Faculty Resources.

This Orientation to Second Life (March 8th from 2 – 3:30 pm MST) session will take place in the Second Life virtual environment. During this session, we will assist attendees in navigating the virtual environment and mastering skills such as moving, sitting, virtual conference etiquette, and other essential skills necessary for those new to virtual worlds.  For this session, attendees will need to go to http://secondlife.com/ and create an avatar. You will also need to download the Second Life software onto your computer. Please go to http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/ to see if your computer meets the minimum requirements.  

You can also attend this at Westminster Campus of Front Range Community College in room C1158 just next to Faculty Resources.

For this session, please RSVP to Christopher.luchs@cccs.edu and include your avatar name if you already have one :D

Chris Luchs

Associate Dean, Career & Technical Education

CCCOnline