[Publib] Second Life 101 course

[Robert L. Balliot]

Leo,

I don't understand your references to 'greater overhead'
or a 'couple of libraries'.  I also don't understand the
notion that users should lead the librarians, rather than
the librarians keeping abreast of current technologies.
I think that wag the dog notion may be one of the main reasons why
library employment opportunities have not kept pace in 
the information age.

I don't have to wonder about greater overhead if bandwidth
is already part of fixed costs. And, if continuing education in
current and developing technologies is not part of fixed
costs, it should be. SL includes real-time streaming media
and group video-audio conferencing, so "elearning" as you
describe it and SL are not mutually exclusive.  They are
complimentary.

As far as the number of libraries involved, I don't have
a good number, since I do not know all of the librarians.
However, the academic, public, and even the corporate presence is
formidable.  IBM recruits out of SL.

Perhaps one of the key issues for discussion should be 
what skills and services transcend the unique experience
with a virtual world.  The code used to create objects in
SL is unique to SL as a derivative of C.  So, learning their
version of code will only serve the SL purpose.  However,
I think learning about avatars and virtual interaction in
general is transferable to many applications.  I would
count experience with avatars as a relevant current skill
for librarians.

*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
1-401-441-5763
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Leo Robert Klein


> -----Original Message-----
>  On Behalf Of Robert L. Balliot
> 
> There are many libraries and library vendors represented
> in SL.  There are virtual library buildings, library
> instruction, staffing, databases, archive and museum
> collections. In the sense that any of those things are
> relevant to libraries, SL is.
> 

Well, this is a little like saying SL is important to libraries because 
a couple of libraries are there.

If the advantage is online training, you have to wonder what exactly 
justifies the greater overhead compared to more mundane approaches to 
"eLearning" such as real-time streaming media or group video-audio 
conferencing.

You also have to take into consideration where our users are heading and 
whether maybe it makes more sense for them to lead the way in this area.

LEO

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