MATRIX Learning Second Life Blog

Draft Concepts Jul-Aug 2006

Overall Objectives
To create an immersive 3D virtual environment for middle school aged students that provide opportunities for interactive, collaborative, and experimental experiences geared to present math focused MATRIX products and activities in an engaging and unique manner. The entry level must be low for both students and teacher facilitators, yet the space should show the potential and power for learning that this flexible open-ended platform offers.

The MATRIX Learning Island has 3 primary functions
1.) a place for a variety of live events that use streaming video and web context extensively
2.) a place to present developed MATRIX products in an easily accessible environment
3.) a place to experiment for project team members and participants

Topographical Layout
The essential concept is to create the feeling of a pseudo-campus with traditional structures using the standard Second Life parameters of 256×256. Our site will be somewhat modeled after the NMC campus in Second Life. The space should provide for expansion both within the established structures as well as the addition of structures/facilities to the land. There should be areas that allow for relaxation and exploration as well as the “formal” educational spaces. SL “island shape #2” is planned for purchase. This map will provide the largest area for building and framing the environment.

Island features should include: brick, concrete and cobblestone walking paths, stone bridges, relaxation areas, a around a campfire setting, nice greenery, and multitude of natural objects such as birds, trees, small animals etc that give the space an open, “real-life” feel and not a sterile, cold, academic feel.

There will need to be enough space for 2 large structures (the learning center and the library/showcase space), a teleport landing station, and an amphitheater modeled after Millennium Park in Chicago. In addition we will have a sandbox space for participants to use for experimenting and completing projects.

The island will be a place where MATRIX partners will have the ability to link/align content in a manner that provides an opportunity for coherent, centric access to developed digital products. Examples in clued access to podcast, webpages, flash files, video and audio but in-world and online (in web format).

Architectural Theme
The theme for our builds will be eclectic in design, mixing traditional and modern styles to evoke a sense of familiarity as well as futuristic possibilities. The goal will be to use real world structures in non- traditional ways. Materials will follow current standard builds to include, wood, stone, metal and glass – yet interior designs might include other materials and fabrics such as translucent glass, multi-textured wall patterns, contemporary furniture and fixtures.

The Learning Center (LC)
This will be a scaled virtual replica of the Truman Educational Center located in Federal Way, WA, a small schools initiative site which features flexible learning spaces and functionality geared toward project based work. The build will feature life like representations of the existing space complete with seating and workspaces for student collaboration. The space will also feature interactive objects that engage the student and provide access to linked activities, learning resources and tools for project completion. These will include: video playback, text (note cards), webpage access points.

The LC will provide space for interchangeable learning activities and experiences and will serve as the main “hub” for accessing content, workgroup collaboration and facilitator meeting spaces. Because of the size of this structure there will be many opportunities for multi group meetings as well as dual locations for embedding activities/content to allow for maximum use of space both within the structure itself as well as the footprint of the facility on the MX Island. Potential configurations are endless and will cater to desired activities and functionalit

The Library and Showcase Center
This structure will be modeled after the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry and will feature several unique objects and interactive experiences. This will be an example of a “traditional” space used in a non-traditional way. It exist in RL as a concert hall for the LA Orchestra but will serve as a library complete will books, tables, study areas etc… in SL on the MX Learning Island. The interior of the library should include several comfortable conversation areas, and a central terminal for searching content with functionally a list of content links (see NMC library). The structure will also contain a boardroom for meetings and presentations seating for 12 around a conference table with projection screen (see NMC boardroom), and a level dedicated to showcasing excellent student work products (ala a museum – see the NMC museum in SL).

This structure will serve as a place for study, access to web content and viewing student items. Again the intent will be to showcase the power of this platform for learning and sharing. Rotating exhibits can be displayed in this area complete with note cards that provide details about the students, artist, and creators of displayed works. Additional potentials include replication of existing great works of art with links to sites that provide information about the real work.

The Amphitheater
This facility will be modeled after Chicago’s Millennium Park outdoor concert stage. The primary functionality will be for large-scale presentations and performances. There will be a need for a stage and setting for approx. 60 avatars with access to viewing 3 multimedia screens. Attendees should be able to easily fly here. There could be standing room areas. One use of this area will be for “town meeting” style gatherings, using Skype or other tools to provide an audio channel.

Each of the projection surfaces needs to be able to show independent content. As in the library, there needs to be an interface to select content. Sometimes we will want to steam live content, and sometimes we will want to allow participants to choose from a playlist. The feeling should be that of an open environment that allows visitors the ability to see and hear from multiple angles.

Sandbox in the Sky
This area, which will float above the island, will be where we provide lessons on building and scripting, and will be an open-access sandbox for visitors. It should have rails to keep people from falling off (or to sit on). This will be the space where students develop projects and work with each other to learn simple building skills in SL.

MATRIX Landing Station
There is a need for an area that will serve as a landing station for residents/visitors. The station will house orientation information, delivered via note card that gives participants the ability to understand the layout of the island, location of vital resources and basic “how to” information related to navigating the space.

Scripts
We will need scripts to enable the various screens and the content selection functions that can be based on simple lists. We also want gesture objects and sitting functionality, and the ability to dangle feet in the water, swim, float etc…, allowing for a relaxed setting. In addition we will need scripts that allow for the interaction of objects and that provide data both to and from the resident e.g. the giving of note cards and the collection of text content or other feedback data that might be collected in response to questions, quizzes, activities etc…