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Welcome to the Introductory Multi-media kit for learners!

Overall summary

This kit can be used as a resource by an individual learner or as part of the teaching materials in the initial stages of a course. In addition to this, the kit can be used as a refresher course, if a learner needs to revise or upgrade her skills with some technical aspect of the use of Second Life. Below, you will find useful links and short video clips that go through some of the essential basic skills you need in order to get started, move and communicate in Second Life. Instructions also include more complex skills such as adding friends, using search functions etc. Some of these resources were generated by the Avalon team while others were done by Linden Lab's Torley Linden, licensed under Creative Commons, and Graham Davies (also licensed under Creative Commons). We will add additional videos as needed or requested. 

Contents

1. Signing up for Second Life
 

• Joining SL: https://join.secondlife.com/  

Introducing students to Second Life takes some planning. First, you must consider hardware, networking and software requirements as well as a suitable location where the introduction will take place. Adequate time should be allotted to allow not only introduction and exploration/orientation to the controls but also for a bit of fun.

If only a small group is being introduced to Second Life (3-5 students/teachers) then they may sign up for accounts usingt he link above, otherwise, another entry point must be selected. Linden Lab prevents more than a small number of avatar accounts to be created from their Web Site, therefore, if the group consists of more than three or four members, then we suggest using one of the following "Whitelisted" entry points:

• http://sl.nmc.org/join/ (does not require joining the New Media Consortium)
• http://virtualability.org/signup.aspx
• http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual+Ability/128/127/22/ (their orientation island to which residents can return as often as they choose)
• http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Community_Gateway (where you will find a number of "whitelisted" group avatar creation gateways)

2. Downloading the client

• http://secondlife.com/support/downloads/ (for the official Linden Lab Client)
• Download Viewer 2: http://secondlife.com/support/downloads   
• http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Third_Party_Viewer_Directory (a comprehensive list of third-party clients)
• A handbook on the SL One viewer by Graham Davies 
• Viewer 2 QuickStart Guide (Wiki): http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Viewer_2_Quick_Start_Guide   

Once your account has been created you must download the most recent client. There are several choices available. The official Linden Lab client is currently at Version 2.3 (as of 22 Nov 2010) and includes a host of new features, some of which are not mentioned in the videos below. There are, however, several third party clients available with a slightly different interface and feature set than the Linden Lab Client. Links to download your client of choice are below:

We have assembled a number of videos and tips below to assist you with introducing and orienting a class to Second life. Some were generated by our team and others were done by Linden Lab's Torley Linden, licensed under Creative Commons. We will add additional videos as needed or requested.

3. Getting Started
 

 Once your account is created and you have downloaded and installed your Second Life client of choice, it is time to log in and begin your virtual life. The link below explains the new log in procedures using the most recent Second Life client:

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Usernames#How_do_I_log_in_with_my_username_if_I.E2.80.99m_using_Viewer_1.23_or_a_third-party_viewer.3F

4. Using Second Life - Skills

Once logged in, there are a number of skills that you will need to master. Below you will find instructional videos and links covering some of these. While many of the skills elements are still very relevant, the viewer (the way that you access Second Life) that Linden Lab uses is now different and you will need to locate the particular tools within this new tool (28 Feb 2012).

Teleporting to Avalon and moving around

This video starts with a SLURL and shows the learner how the SL program opens up and takes the avatar directly to the Welcome Area on Avalon Learning Island. The instructor's avatar then takes the learner through the basic functions of moving forwards, backwards and sideways, both with the arrow keys on the keyboard and with the detachable icon-based controls in Second Life. It ends with a demonstration of taking off, flying and landing.

Switching on Voice and text chat

This video starts at the Welcome Area on Avalon. David and Bryan meet up, but only Bryan has his Voice Chat working. Bryan takes David through the steps involved in activating Voice Chat and choosing a 'Set Key' to switch the mike on and off. The Text Chat box is shown as a way of communicating with each other before Voice Chat is working.

Production status: recorded and in the process of being edited (6th October, 2009)

Using search functions

This video introduces the learner to all the buttons at the bottom of the screen, systematically going through the functions of each of them (though without going into the detail covered in videos 4 and 5).

Production status: recorded and in the process of being edited (11th November, 2009)

Groups, friends + appearances

This video covers the processes of editing your avatar's appearance, joining groups and offering friendship to people. In particular, we cover the process of changing membership of groups, so that the label your avatar displays is the one you want it to.

Finding, landmarking, teleporting and inviting people to teleport

This video deals with moving around in world (i.e. outside Avalon), landmarking places so that you can find them again, teleporting to other sites and sending invitations to your friends to join you. 

Production status: recorded and in the process of being edited  (11th November, 2009)

Escaping from Help Island

This video shows how to exit form Help Island if you are new of SL and you are stuck in that location. Don't worry, just some simple steps and you will be able to teleport where you want. 

Production status: recorded and in the process of being edited  (6th May, 2010)

Creating a Slurl in viewer 2

Videos in other languages:

Swedish: sound settings

Other Useful links related to  Second Life:

• Educational uses of Second Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOFU9oUF2HA

         (Some students cannot relate virtual worlds to learning and it may be an idea to introduce them to this fact prior to a course)  

• A mini course package on getting started: http://dooku.miun.se/mats.deutschmann/Avalon/getting%20started%201/index.htm 

          (This is a suggestion for a course structure which can be run as an introductory part of a bigger project) 

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The material throughout this wiki is available under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share Alike agreement established between the project partners.