As if your first life wasn't filled to the brim - Second Life offers the opportunity for you to have a second self in a 3-dimentional, multiuser virtual world. Second Life, that opened to the public in 2003, allows users to create personal avatars for exploration and interaction in this environment. The avatar appearance can be perfected and/or changed at any time.

To access Second Life a special software is needed. This can be downloaded and is free. A good graphics card is needed for a truly enjoyable experience of Second Life. Here buildings, stores, objects, land, etc. can be built and avatars may meet and discuss using chat or real audio. Land can be purchased and items can be sold in stores using the special Linden currency. Basic accounts in Second Life are free. Upgraded accounts are needed if users plan to buy land. Click the above image to go to Second Life

Many companies, organizations, and Universities have presence in Second Life including IBM, Coca Cola, ISTE, Ohio State University, UNC, Stanford University, Princeton, and Harvard Law school.

Second Life also has, which instructors need to be aware of, not appropriate for educational purpuses real life represenatition of nightclubs, opium dens, and more. The environment is not controllable or private. Behavior or language is not censored. Abuse can, however, be reported. A certain pre-knowledge of what pitfalls there are in SL, will prove beneficial for newbies.

The learning curve/introduction to move around in the virtual world will be more than a few hours but once in, members may enjoy many means of getting around such as walking, flying, teleporting, driving, snowboarding, surfing, running etc. This Virtual World is increasing in size by the minute as new land is created and new members arrive.

Use in classroom
Second Life is international and students students can study, among other things, social studies, biology, science, math, languages, build simple 3-d models, script actions, interact, take virtual field trips, and research other cultures.

A grant was recently presented to Duke School of Nursing for building a virtual classroom structure in Second Life and to research student focus on educational components rather than the novelty of the application. As new grants are received educators are able to research if and how the Virtual environment is best used in the educational environment. Many interesting reports should emerge within a few years.

During the Second Life 6 year celebration Snowflake Lannock (Jenny Wakefield) presented on Metaverse2 SL2 about the Future of Virtual Worlds in Education.