On Thursday, September 27th, Loyalist College was pleased to announce the opening of its new campus island in Second Life. The festivities began at 3 p.m. with Second Life guests touring Loyalist’s virtual facilities and culminated with a dance in the virtual Shark Tank Pub.
“This is designed as a social and learning space for the upwards of 300 students that Loyalist anticipates will utilize our facilities in Second Life this year,” explained Ken Hudson, e-Learning Facilitator at the College. “The Loyalist campus has something for everyone. Come and hang glide, windsurf, scuba dive, check out Loyalist Village with freebies, an art gallery, and a podcast cinema. Head up to the Shark Tank or down to the ice-skating cave. Loyalist College in Second Life is a place of learning and discovery.”
“As an Animation student, Second Life appealed to me, especially as I want to break into the gaming industry,” said Patrick Edwards, a third-year Animation student who helped develop Loyalist’s Second Life facility. “The work with the e-Learning department has helped me to greatly refine my skills. Second Life offers the student body a free atmosphere. They have no need to be inhibited and can learn without barriers. The time I spent this summer developing the Loyalist College Island with the team was the most rewarding I’ve ever had. I was able to use the skills I had learned in the Animation program and create a universe for the world to see.”
“As I take in our virtual space, I am continually amazed at how well our team has integrated so many elements. By introducing items such as Reid’s Dairy milkshakes and the Sandbanks beach area, our sense of community has become part of our new innovative learning spaces that showcase some of the amazing things our students are doing. All this is wrapped together in a cohesive social setting,” said Mark Kirkpatrick, Director of Information Technology Services. “I have seen many Second Life campuses and the Loyalist College island has to be the most unique and innovative space I have come across. It is a testament to the innovation and quality of our staff and students.”
Loyalist College is the first Canadian college to conduct classes in Second Life and will continue to expand its leading presence in virtual worlds through its new island facility. In addition to the ongoing classroom activities, including curriculum delivery in Human, and Justice Studies, special events are planned throughout the year to make Loyalist’s Second Life island everyone’s destination of choice.
– 30 –
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332, e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca, or Ken Hudson at (613) 969-1913, ext. 2435