Starting around this time, high school seniors all around the United States are beginning to confront the stress and strain of applying for college. A big focus of our work at Global Kids is helping our teens plan and manage the bewildering college application process. One traditional method for learning about and deciding among various higher learning institutions is the college fair. But what do you do if there are no college fairs near where you live? One possibility is to go into Second Life.
There are literally hundreds of colleges and universities with some kind of virtual world presence. So it makes sense for colleges to use the medium to outreach to prospective students. From October 24-25 the the International Schools space is welcoming prospective college students from around the world to a virtual college fair, where they can learn about the 30+ colleges and universities setting up exhibit booths there (click here to teleport).
Where else can you learn about schools as diverse at University of the West of Scotland, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the London School of Journalism in one spot? More details about the college fair after the jump...
The actual college fair exhibit area will be open for two weeks, but October 24-25 will be when college hopefuls can hear from and meet representatives of a number of institutions. No word on if there will be recruiters or other representatives available during other times and days. Here's the schedule of speakers during that period (as of press time):
Saturday, Oct 24:
- 5:00 PM* - Claudia Linden, Linden Lab
- 5:45 PM - Teaching International Courses in Second Life, Phil Youngblood / Vic Michalak / University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
- 6:30 PM - P Charles Livermore / Hopalong Oh, St Johns University , New York
- 7:15 PM - Using Second Life For Agriculture, Animal and Poultry Science Instruction, Marcia Kjeller/ Marcia Kloepper, Sloane Mexicola/Jessica Butler and Patti Tigerpaw/Pat Curtis. Auburn University, Alabama, Department of Poultry Science
- 8:00 PM - Using Video in Teaching and Learning - A Molenet project, Julia Dando/ Julala Demina, Cornwall College, UK.
- 6:15 AM - Designing Games and Learning Activities in Second Life, Lyr Lobo, Colorado Technical University
- 7:00 AM - Educational Uses of SL, Dr. Anthony Curtis, Professor, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- 7:45 AM - Convergent Media Literacy for Students, Stacey Fox, Game Art and New Media, University of Kansas, Department of Visual Art
- 8:30 AM - Bridging Realities - Approaches to Hybrid World Education, John Fillwalk, Director, Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts, Ball State University
- 9:15 AM - College Fair Wrap Up, Organizing committee and participants!
* NOTE: all times are Pacific Standard Time
Participating Schools/Colleges/Universities:
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- University of the West of Scotland
- Ohio State
- Auburn University
- University of Kansas
- Alabama A&M University
- Colorado Technical University
- Kirkwood Community College
- University of Alabama Huntsville
- University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Ball State University
- The University of Texas at Arlington
- University of Kentucky
- Cornwall College
- St John's University, New York
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Towson University
- Coastline Community College
- University of San Francisco
- Florida State University
- Texas Woman's University School of Library and Information Studies
- Kennesaw State University
- University of Michigan - Dearborn
- San Jose State University
- London School of Journalism
- Saint Leo University
- College of DuPage
- East Carolina University
- Rockcliffe University Consortium
- H2onE2 University
