Attending a class in Second Life

I attended an “Inventory Management” class taught by Adra on June 18^th, 2009. I logged in for a while couple of hours before the class, and saw Adra going over the class materials and preparing herself. Giving a lecture in SL seems like a very different form of teaching style. She uses an automatic chatting system where text will automatically follow her while she is giving the speech. So, we could hear her and follow her speech in text too. When she asks us questions we type our answers by chatting so she could make sure we were following her (e.g “[19:26] Adra Letov: Type in chat y or n if you see those two tabs (All Items & Recent Items)”). I feel that this is a great way of teaching. I was always shame to teacher’s questions in RL, but the students have the freedom to type in what they do not understand or even a comment in SL. When Adra sees our comment she immediately answers by voice chat so I felt I am communicating with her and participating in the class. One of the things I really liked about in her lecture was that she included how professionals organize their inventory in SL. “[19:37] Adra Letov: Professionals often create a folder titled Work or Professional or Business and fill it with everything related to the job, including clothes, landmarks, note cards and other objects”. I want my SL experience to be more than just a social platform, meeting people, etc. I am interested in how professionals utilize SL in order to help beginners achieve their goals. I strongly believe that who you are in SL will have an effect on the person you are in RL. I really think that SL has helped me to improve my communications skills in RL. Before I did not have a classmate and did not have a person in SL that I can meet regularly to learn from or chat with. Another element I was interested in was xstreetsl. This place is located outside of SL, but when you purchase something, it will send to your avatar in SL. “[19:44] Adra Letov: Search for items to buy on the xstreetsl Web site, open an account, deposit funds or buy only $0L items, items are sent to your avatar in SL [19:45] Adra Letov: https://www.xstreetsl.com/ [19:45] Adra Letov: or use Search All function in SL interface and add free or freebie to the search”. After the class, I visited the website and made an account. It is very easy. All you need is your SL first name, last name, and password. It is almost like the same process as purchasing something in SL, but the difference is that it will be sent to you as a note card (just like when you buy something!) after buying them on the Internet first, then they will send you. The process takes less than 30 sec. I still like to going to stores in SL because they have more selections, but xstreetsl is very easy to look at. I highly recommend future generation students to take this class before they began collecting free stuff. There are numbers of icons and folders that help you to organize your inventory and help you to keep what you need. I am getting the hang of it now, but I did not notice the importance of organizing the inventory until I took this class. Other benefits you will get by participating classes are you will meet people. I like the fact that people who are willing to participate in class share the same interests and goals. Plus, you already have something to talk about with so it will open up

Finally I noticed a lot about myself during the lecture. First, I have been assuming that my appearance is perfect. Second, I was not communicating enough. I attended orientations, lectures where there are over twenty people that were participating and saw how they were actively engaging in the environment that is given by the speakers. For example, I saw people clapping at the end of the lecture. I needed to participate myself more to make the communication become more real. Some people write how they felt and their opinions constantly during the lecture and I was too busy following the directions. I realize that I need to attend more public conferences; events that offer guest speakers to get more used to and witness ways of communication in SL.

(The picture above is taken during the lecture by Adra. From left to right: Melanie, Kaomea, and me).

Karmarkar – CHINA Freeshop and Classic platform

Ninth Exercise: Reference Desk at Infoisland International

(Picture above: me standing next to the AVL sighn)

Interface Assessment Journal Structured Self Report Form

And asks you to :

Comment descriptively on your User Experience in terms of Affect

(feelings, emotions, values, preferences, expectations), Cognition

(confusion, understanding, problem solving, strategy, knowledge

acquisition), and Sensorimotor (noticings, performance, actions,

procedures, routines, accomplishments).

Fill out this Form at four points during the task session today:

A. Before you begin the tasks

B. After working through tasks 1-6

C. While working through tasks 7-8

D. While working through tasks 9-12

E. After completing task 13

1. Before you begin the tasks

How likely is it that you will become good at this particular task?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 9

Briefly explain your rating:  I have visited Infoisland Reference Desk before and I found it very useful. I have only met patrons once before so I expected my experience will be based on my observation skills and seeking information by right-clicking as many walls and signs to see to find answers 13 tasks. I expect myself to be good at this after going through 13 tasks. 

How likely is it that the skills you are learning in this task will be useful in your career?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 9

Briefly explain your rating: I expect this exercise will help me in the future.   I look at this exercise as if was a puzzle. When you go to the Reference desk, it feels overwhelming. I feel like many pieces of information are all over the place. And it is my job to collect these small pieces of information. The accomplished picture of the puzzle will be the Reference Desk. Even one piece of information I could not collect, I would not be able to really see what the Reference Desk is, just like how puzzles would not be completed until you put all the pieces together.  This exercise will make me improve my patience and help me become a more careful person and I can grow myself out of it. In terms of career, I am interested in being an advisor or counselor at a higher educational institution. So this will definitely help me especially with finding information and reaping the benefits from it is very important. I think I am able to acquire those skills by doing this task. 

To what extent are you feeling frustrated doing this particular task?

Not Frustrated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Frustrated

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: Knowing the fact that the Reference Desk will be filled with information makes me feel overwhelmed and frustrated. I do not like how information are everywhere in SL. Sometimes note cards and reading instructions gives me headache. 

To what extent are you feeling irritated doing this particular task?

Not Irritated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Irritated

Type your number here: 9

Briefly explain your rating: What kind of information I will be getting, how affective the information will be, if the place will be busy, if I meet patrons am I be able to understand what they are saying, 

B. After working through tasks 1-6

1.    Go to Reference Desk at InfoIsland international http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infotainment%20Island/97/31/31

2.    Find the "InfoIsland Archipelago Calendar" and Touch it.

3.    Choose "This week" for the set of events.

4.    Click "Local chat" tab and click on the URL at the end of the list of events.

5.    Tip: You may have to copy the URL to access the website from the browser.

6.    Paste that URL into the Interface Assessment Journal note card.

How likely is it that you will become good at this particular task?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: I feel confident about doing these 6 tasks. I am confused about task 6. I did not understand what Interface Assessment Journal note card is, so instead I opened my inventory and created a new note card and paste the URL there. I noticed after touching the calendar, the white dotted beam did not stop releasing from my body. But overall, I feel confident performing these tasks.

How likely is it that the skills you are learning in this task will be useful in your career?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: I understand the process of going through 6 tasks well now. I noticed note cards play a significant role in SL. Sometimes I do not even notice how much of them I was getting until I look into my inventory. The calendar shows all the events in SL and knowing what is going on in in-world is very useful and will benefit you with updating information. I am working at Campus Center Ticket&Information and I need to know what is going on at school to so this will help me a lot with my current job too.

To what extent are you feeling frustrated doing this particular task?

Not Frustrated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Frustrated

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: I got frustrated because I did not know what Interface Assessment Journal note card is. I feel like I have not accomplished all the tasks because I was not able to figure it what is it.

To what extent are you feeling irritated doing this particular task?

Not Irritated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Irritated

Type your number here: 5

Briefly explain your rating: I feel the tasks were easy to accomplish. I did not need to have any background of visiting the place, also there was a patrons who was able to help me finding information. I asked him what Interface Assessment Journal note card is but he did not know about it.

C. While working through tasks 7-8

7.   Find the VOTE kiosk and register your vote for this site; it helps in SL search rankings.

8.    Explore the "computer terminals" area and the information available through these information affordances.

How likely is it that you will become good at this particular task?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 9

Briefly explain your rating: I thought the voting process would be bit complicated (e.g. registrations) but it was very simple, just right-click it. I noticed VOTE kiosk in other places so I should support with places that are participating in the SL search rankings. I expected the computers to actually connect to the Internet, but after clicking it, it sent me note card with different options. I found them a bit confusing and hard to see. But overall, I understand the 2 tasks well and know where to go to find information.

How likely is it that the skills you are learning in this task will be useful in your career?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 9

Briefly explain your rating: I felt that computer terminals are very useful. I was able to look at news and Google things while I am using SL. I believe that knowing where u can find information or access to the Internet will be more and more important in the future. More strategy you have, more information you can get. I consider computer terminals as one of my strategy to access to the world.

To what extent are you feeling frustrated doing this particular task?

Not Frustrated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Frustrated

Type your number here: 1

Briefly explain your rating: I think these two tasks are doable without getting frustrated. The only time I got frustrated was when I right-click the terminal computer and the white dotted line that connects the computer and myself to receive the information did not dissapare.

To what extent are you feeling irritated doing this particular task?

Not Irritated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Irritated

Type your number here: 1

Briefly explain your rating: The tasks were very simple and easy to find the solutions. I do not see the reasons why I need to get irritated.

D. While working through tasks 9-12

9.    Find the Caledon Libraries events and exhibits displays and read through the offerings. Take a note card for any events of interest.

10.   What is the Den? What happens there?  What do you like about it? 

11.   Find the Alliance Virtual Library sign and get its notecard. TP to one of the locations on the note card. Save the LM. Return to the Reference Desk after exploring 5-10 minutes.

12.  Find the TP board to the language areas and other interesting spots and visit one of the locations. Return to the Reference Desk after exploring 5-10 minutes.

How likely is it that you will become good at this particular task?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: The process of receiving note cards and saving the LM is simple tasks. Once I save the AVL to LM, I had no problem teleporting back and forth between AVL and other listed places.

How likely is it that the skills you are learning in this task will be useful in your career?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 8

Briefly explain your rating: I consider these four tasks as a bit advanced. Because they require some of the basics skills of finding information, teleporting, and note card related skills. It is easy to visualize these four tasks without being present in SL. Due to the technological advancements, people are more dependant on what is convince and faster. But when you actually visit the place, you will more likely to find something new that you wouldn't find by just using the technology. This task will help me to be more open-minded and explore things in different ways.

To what extent are you feeling frustrated doing this particular task?

Not Frustrated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Frustrated

Type your number here: 3

Briefly explain your rating: not too frustrated, yet I could not find what Caledon Libraries events… so It caused me some stress.

To what extent are you feeling irritated doing this particular task?

Not Irritated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Irritated

Type your number here: 2

Briefly explain your rating: I did not feel irritated much. Sometimes, I expect everything to be closely built, so when I look for something and could not find it, I have to go in a circle and look through each corner… the process feel irritating sometimes.

 (Picture above: In front of Den where is located next to the Reference Desk)

E. After completing task 13

 13. Go to the nearby SL Resource Center, explore and pick-up free and interesting affordances

How likely is it that you will become good at this particular task?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 10

Briefly explain your rating: I know that I will be very good at this task. I enjoy receiving freebie but once my inventory starts to get crowded and I might be more selective with what I receive,

How likely is it that the skills you are learning in this task will be useful in your career?

Doubtful    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Almost Certain

Type your number here: 10

Briefly explain your rating: Receiving free gifts and seeing them in my inventory is one of the many ways for a place or company to make us remember them and I think it works out well. It does not have to be free gifts, but I would like to pay more attention to how I can be memorable to the company when I go to the job interview, etc. This will help me to provide better customer service at my current job and also in my future career.

To what extent are you feeling frustrated doing this particular task?

Not Frustrated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Frustrated

Type your number here: 1

Briefly explain your rating: I did not feel frustrated at all. It is very exciting to open and see what the freebie look like.

To what extent are you feeling irritated doing this particular task?

Not Irritated    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     Extremely Irritated

Type your number here: 1

Briefly explain your rating: I did not feel irritated at all. I am very confident about perform this task.

Improving Avatar Appearance

(Pictures above from left to right: picture of my current appearance, picture of Minile and I exploring the CHINA Freeshop)

Monile and I visited CHINA Freeshop to improve our avatars appearance. Monile also introduced me to a place where I got my Model walk. The biggest accomplishment in terms of appearance I made was my face. She pointed out how my face was unclear before and sent me a Female Shape, eye, and make up. After added them, I began to have a female like body (I needed to make it taller), eyes, and make-ups to make myself look more realistic. I feel embarrassed how I looked before and now I have more confidence interacting with people in SL.

LILT – University of Hawaii

I visited LILT for the first time. Like Monile mentioned in her report, POST building and Sakamaki Hall looks exactly how they are in RL. While exploring inside of POST building, I met Sam for the first time. He welcomed me and we re-scheduled the day for the tour. I am very excited to know. When I went up to the third floor, there were numbers of small desks and presentations panels and power point were there. I could not figure out what kind of researches are going on so I already have some questions ready to ask for Sam on Thursday.

(Picture above: POST building in LILT)

(Picture above: Monile and I posing for the camera inside of POST building)

YouTude Videos on “Building” in Second Life

I found couple of videos that show you the basics of how to build houses and objects in Second Life.

Build fast in Second Life with Free Stuff – What I liked about this video was he was pointing out some of the short cut keys that help us to build houses in SL. He also show an example of a house which he built before head and his lecture was to show how he built the house step by step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csWe7yjIJLw&feature=related

Building Basics in Second Life – This clip covered how to move, make a copy, and change the color of the object.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szAbCGbqYEI&feature=related

How to use the building grid – Second Life Video Tutorial – This video focuses on how to use “grid” to control object location and sizes. It also showed how to move around objects and attach to yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k-XoIPycm8&feature=related

(Picture above: my avatar’s latest look J )