Ken Hudson, Managing Director of the Loyalist College Infinite Spaces Virtual World Design Centre, delivered the opening address at the third annual Different Worlds Conference held in Lahti, Finland on October 7th and 8th. The conference was organized by Salpaus, a community college in Finland, and the University of Eastern Finland with approximately 150 in-person participants and an equal number attending virtually through either Second Life or Adobe Connect. The conference gave participants the opportunity to explore the use of cutting-edge technology, including virtual worlds, and how it can be applied within an educational context.
Mr. Hudson was invited to speak and to organize a series of panels and forums by Georges Segura of Salpaus Continuing Education. The invitation recognizes Loyalist’s success with a Canadian border simulation created in Second Life that has become a well-respected case study worldwide.
“In organizing the business track forum, the expectation was that I would connect with speakers from Finland using Second Life and project on the screen in the conference facility,” said Ken Hudson. “I also invited several experts to attend in person, which helped make this year’s event a great success for the organizers. Those who attended were William E. May, US Department of State, Washington DC; Karl M. Kapp, Professor, Bloomsburg University, PA and co-author of Learning in 3D, a book which includes the case study of the border simulation; and, Ian Hughes, Metaverse Consultant, London, UK. It was an amazing experience both personally and professionally. The feedback I received was overwhelming, and I was again reminded of the international reach of Loyalist’s work in virtual worlds.”
Loyalist President Maureen Piercy praised Ken Hudson and his team at Loyalist’s Virtual World Design Centre. “The successes of the Centre have placed Loyalist in the forefront on an international level. While in Finland, Ken had discussions with Hannu Heinonen, the Vice-Principal of Salpaus and conference chair, regarding potential collaborations using virtual world technologies that could be used for educational enhancement. Virtual worlds are proving to be valuable platforms in the expansion of learning opportunities and Loyalist is proud to be viewed as a respected leader within the field.”
For more information regarding Second Life applications at Loyalist College contact Ken Hudson kenhudson@infinitespaces.ca.
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332 or Ken Hudson, Managing Director, Infinite Spaces, Virtual World Design Centre, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2435