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Using Second Life to Support the Professional Development of Chicago Public School Teachers and Librarians. Initial Activities and Lessons Learned Craig A. Cunningham National-Louis University Chicago April 10, 2007. Agenda. My Second Life From Skeptic to Enthusiast Teaching in SL CPS DLIS
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Using Second Life to Support the Professional Development of Chicago Public School Teachers and Librarians Initial Activities and Lessons Learned Craig A. CunninghamNational-Louis UniversityChicago April 10, 2007
Agenda • My Second Life • From Skeptic to Enthusiast • Teaching in SL • CPS DLIS • Alliance Library System • ELVEN Institute • Mission • Partners • Initiatives • Next Steps
From Skeptic to Enthusiast • Colleague: “loopy doopy” • First SL “class” • authentic • hands-on • communicative • social • effective • Beginning to network
Alliance Library System • System of 215 libraries in Western Illinois • Owner of the “Informational Islands Archipelago • Main group working for libraries in Second Life • Also interested in supporting educational institutions and activities
ELVEN Institute • Partnership between National-Louis University and Alliance Library System • ELVEN = Educators and Librarians in Virtual Environments • Land donated by ALS • Directed by Dewey Jung
Mission • The ELVEN Institute's mission is to assist preK-12 educators and librarians to envision, construct, and use engaging virtual learning environments in order to demonstrate and document their value in increasing student achievement and growth. Toward this end, the Institute seeks to collaborate with other institutions, to conduct professional development and research, and to collect and disseminate best practices and useful tools related to prek-12 learning enviroments.
Partners • National-Louis University • One of the largest providers of masters degrees to teachers in the US • Five campuses in Chicagoland, plus campuses in Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida, Poland • Newly revitalized program for school librarians • Alliance Library System • Interested in supporting school libraries in system
Affiliates • Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries and Information Services • Bradley University College of Education • Gaming and Learning in Second Life • Literature Alive • Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project (CUIP)
Projects • CPS:TLC (NLU program for school librarians on technology) • Architecture/Charter Schools: Chicago and East St. Louis • Bradley University work in Peoria-area schools • Golden Apple Foundation Chicagoland Teaching Excellence Center
Initiatives • Advisory board meetings • Professional development seminars • Best practice seminars • Bibliography on use of MUVEs in preK-12 • Tools database • Manual for use of SL for preK-12 • Involvement in Teen Grid
Next Steps • Continue projects and initiatives • Build advisory board, organize subcommittees • Develop web site: http://elveninstitute.org • Continue to bring together preK-12 teachers and librarians • Raise funds to continue work
Contact Me • In Second Life: Dewey Jung • Email: Craig.Cunningham@nl.edu • Web: http://CraigCunningham.Com