3D Learning and Training Special Interest Group
ASTD Golden Chapter’s 3D Learning and Training SIG held its first meeting in December, 2010. We welcome any and all Golden Gate Chapter members to join us in this exciting exploration of 3D environments for learning and training.
Regular meetings are held the
first Wednesday of each month, at 6:30pm. The SIG meetings generally occur (or commence) in Second Life, requiring no travel, but they do require some initial preparations for those who are new to Second Life:
- Set up of Second Life and your avatar
- Attend a pre-meeting orientation/training to learn the basics of functioning in a 3D environment (for those with little or no experience in 3D environments).
Please read through the information below, which is a step-by-step guide for getting set up and ready. Contact
Carla@Traininginthe21stCentury.com if you have any questions, or to set up a pre-meeting orientation/training session.
SECOND LIFE BASICS:
Getting started with Second Life (where we launch our 3D explorations):
- It works with both PCs and Macs
- It’s free to download and basic membership is also free
- Check System Requirements at http://secondlife.com/support/system-requirements/ -- You must have a high speed connection
- Download it at http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/ -- The current default GUI is Viewer 2, which will be the first download option on the download page
- Some people have had better experiences using the Beta Viewer, which is immediately below the Viewer 2 download section
- To make the most of Second Life, using their VOIP capability is a huge plus. You’ll need -- A headset with built-in microphone. (Most of the time, using a laptop’s built-in speakers and microphone results in miserable screeching noises for others in the vicinity, so it isn’t recommended.) Effective headphones with microphones can be found for approximately $20, regular price.
- Chat is also available for communicating in Second Life, but VOIP offers a much richer interpersonal, interactive experience.
5 STEPS TO PARTICIPATE:
1) Download and install Second Life (this is painless)
2) Create your free account and avatar (this is very fast and easy to do)
a) There is an option to download SL after creating your avatar
b) After creating your avatar, they will send a link to your e-mail to confirm and activate your account
3) Go through a basic training/orientation session before attending your first meeting. This is very important! and can be done in two ways:
a) Contact Carla Kincaid-Yoshikawa Carla@Traininginthe21stCentury.com to set up a time for a pre-meeting training session.
b) After activation, log into SL using your new avatar name and password. This will bring you into SL’s Welcome Island, which has an orientation area that will take you through some basics of movement, etc.
i) Read everything around you as you proceed, and follow the path and instructions to gain the basic skills needed.
ii) If you try this method but it doesn’t work for you, contact Carla at the e-mail address above in section 3a.
4) Contact Carla Kincaid-Yoshikawa to:
a) Let her know you’re planning to attend the meeting and give her your avatar’s name. (This makes it much easier to find each other and reconnect if anything goes wrong during a meeting.) Her SL avatar is Ardith DelValle.
b) Ensure you have correct, up-to-date information to get to the meeting site (SL is a big universe and meetings may be held in a variety of locations.)
5) Follow the instructions sent and join us to learn together and have fun.
