Scheduled to take place between Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 and Saturday, March 12th, 2016 inclusive, VWBPE is a global grass-roots community event focusing on education in immersive virtual environments which attracts 2200-3500 educational professionals from around the world each year.
In the context of the conference, a “virtual world” is an on-line community through which users can interact with one another and use and create ideas irrespective of time and space. As such, typical examples include Second Life, OpenSimulator, Unity, World of Warcraft, Eve Online, and so on, as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest or any virtual environments characterised by an open social presence and in which the direction of the platform’s evolution is manifest in the community.
The call for proposals invites educators and those involved in the education sector or offering support to that sector are asked to reflect on work and their accomplishments within the context of the conference, and consider submitting a proposal and sharing their work with the wider education community:
Educators and communities of practice who use virtual worlds are trend setters–pioneers in a virtual landscape of possibilities. To you, the next horizon is the next opportunity for change, for innovation, and for exploration. It is the next opportunity to offer a paradigm shift, and to chart unexplored lands for the newcomers, the intrepid following in your footsteps, and the curious seeking to find new opportunities and new ways of thinking.
This year there will only be one call, and only one call, for proposals, so get them in by no later than January 17, 2016. This is a hard, no-extensions, deadline. Don’t get left out!
The full Call for Proposals guidelines can be found on the VWBPE website, and as noted above, the deadline for submissions is Sunday, January 17th, 2016.
In addition, on Saturday, November 7th the VWBPE organisers announced the opening of nominations for the 2016 Thinkerer Award.
The award is for lifetime achievement rather than for a single contribution, and is presented to an individual whose deeds and actions have shown consistent selfless service towards the promotion of learning, community, and educational practices, and who exemplifies the spirit of cooperative development within immersive environments.
Those wishing to nominate someone they believe deserves to be recognised for their contribution to the field of education and immersive environments should review and complete the nomination criteria and submission form.
All nominations should be received by Sunday, February 7th, 2016. The final selection of the award recipient will be conducted by the VWBPE Organizational Committee by Sunday February 21st, 2016 and will be announced publicly during the conference closing ceremonies on Saturday, March 12th, 2016.
Running from November 4th through until the 14th included, the events sees Emma Portilo, taking over from Quan Lavender with the latter’s blessing, take the reins, ably supported by Chloe Seljan and Johannes1977 Resident, who will be coordinating entertainment throughout the event, and Jessii2009 Warrhol managing the PR. The event itself will take place in stylish region designed by Kimmera Madison.
Over 70 designers are taking place in this year’s activities, and all of the hats will be available for purchase by visitors, with 100% of proceeds from sales going to the ADA, as will money raised through a special Charity Auction which will close the event on Saturday, November 14th.
Art in Hats will open to the public on Wednesday, November 4th at 06:00 SLT, and there will be featured DJ sessions every day through to Friday November 6th.
The Grand Opening for the event will take place on Saturday November 7th, at 12:00 noon SLT, and will be followed at 16:00 SLT by the Grand Opening Fashion Show and then at 20:00 SLT by the Art In Hats 2015 Event Gala.
Highlights for Sunday, November 8th include Josie Anderton singing live at 14:00 SLT, followed by the Bring it On! Styling Contest at 15:00 SLT, in which the public is invited to show off the hats they have created on the Art in Hats stage, with random gifts will be given during the show. Sunday’s activities will round-out with the Style it Party: dance and wear your own hat to the music of DJ John, with the best in style prize awarded by popular vote during the event.
Music events will then continue through until Saturday, November 14th, and the close of Art in Hats. This will feature a final fashion show at 16:00 SLT, with the Public Hat Contest winners announced and prizes for the top two designs awarded at 18:00 SLT, followed by the Charity Auction in support of The American Diabetes Association featuring unique hats donated by creators. The event will then draw to a close with the Final Chance Shopping Party at 22:00 SLT, offering attendees a final opportunity to buy the hats they like, raise more money for ADA, and dance.
For a full line-up of activities and entertainment, be sure to check-out the Art in Hats 2015 schedule.
About Arts in Hats and Team Diabetes of Second Life
Founded in 2013 by Quan Lavender, the initial event offered a means for SL couture designers and artists to present images of hats as statement of art, each with a story to tell. In 2014, over 100 hats and their paired images displayed by designers and photographers, with Art in Hats supporting the work of Feed A Smile.
Some 387 million people globally live with diabetes, and the World Health Organisation estimates that diabetes could be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030.
Founded by Jessi2009 Warrhol and Johannes1977 Resident, Team Diabetes is the official and authorised team of the American Diabetes Association in Second Life. Functioning as an advisory board, Team Diabetes of Second Life comprises members Jessii2009 Warrhol, Johannes1977 Resident, Emma Portilo, Veruca Tammas, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch and Earth Nirvana, with Saiyge Lotus serving as special advisor to the board.
Team Diabetes of Second Life’s mission is to raise awareness of diabetes, promote greater understanding of the issues those suffering from diabetes face, and to raise funds to further research into cures for diabetes.
SLurl Details
Art in Hats, Crestwood Acres (Rated: Moderate) – note this SLurl will not be generally available until Art in Hats opens on Wednesday, November 4th
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday, November 1st 13:30: Tea time at Baker Street
The Valley of Fear, The Strand Magazine, 1915. Illustration by Frank Wiles
It was the fourth of February in the year 1875. It had been a severe winter, and the snow lay deep in the gorges of the Gilmerton Mountains. The steam ploughs had, however, kept the railroad open, and the evening train which connects the long line of coal-mining and iron-working settlements was slowly groaning its way up the steep gradients which lead from Stagville on the plain to Vermissa, the central township which lies at the head of Vermissa Valley. From this point the track sweeps downward to Bartons Crossing, Helmdale, and the purely agricultural county of Merton. It was a single-track railroad; but at every siding—and they were numerous—long lines of trucks piled with coal and iron ore told of the hidden wealth which had brought a rude population and a bustling life to this most desolate corner of the United States of America.
For desolate it was! Little could the first pioneer who had traversed it have ever imagined that the fairest prairies and the most lush water pastures were valueless compared to this gloomy land of black crag and tangled forest. Above the dark and often scarcely penetrable woods upon their flanks, the high, bare crowns of the mountains, white snow, and jagged rock towered upon each flank, leaving a long, winding, tortuous valley in the centre. Up this the little train was slowly crawling.
The oil lamps had just been lit in the leading passenger car, a long, bare carriage in which some twenty or thirty people were seated. The greater number of these were workmen returning from their day’s toil in the lower part of the valley. At least a dozen, by their grimed faces and the safety lanterns which they carried, proclaimed themselves miners. These sat smoking in a group and conversed in low voices, glancing occasionally at two men on the opposite side of the car, whose uniforms and badges showed them to be policemen.
Several women of the labouring class and one or two travellers who might have been small local storekeepers made up the rest of the company, with the exception of one young man in a corner by himself. It is with this man that we are concerned. Take a good look at him, for he is worth it.
Thus opens the second part of The Valley of Fear, and with it we are transported to the United States in the year 1875, and introduced to a man by the name of Jack McMurdo. But where, in all of this, might sit the hand of Moriarty?
Join Caledonia Skytower, Kayden Oconnell and John Morland as they continue to read the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel.
Monday November 2nd, 19:00: One Step From Earth
What would happen if, by setting up a screen in one place and another somewhere else – the same planet, another planet in the same star system or even halfway across the galaxy – you could step into one and instantly step out of the other? What happens if one of the screens is one-way, and once you’ve passed through, your cannot return?
What are the social and political ramifications of such a system, for individuals and humanity as a whole when the entire galaxy is potential one step away from Earth?
Join Gyro Muggins as he explores the ramifications of instant teleportation through One Step from Earth, a collection of short stories on the theme by Harry Harrison.
Tuesday November 3rd 19:00: Serafina and the Black Cloak – Concludes
Caledonia Skytower continues reading of Robert Beatty’s spooky mystery thriller.
Serafina lives a life of total secrecy. While her father may be the maintenance man for the great house of the Biltmore Estate, the wealthy owners of the estate have no idea that he lives in the basement of the house – and much less that his daughter lives there with him.
Not that this is a problem for Serafina; she is quite at home exploring the great house and its grounds whilst avoiding being seen. There’s certainly no need for her to venture into the great forest beyond the estate, and with which, he father has said, lie many dangers.
But when the children on the estate start vanishing, Serafina is forced to join forces with the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners, and discover the identity of the one they believe to be behind the disappearances: the Man in the Black Cloak. But in order to do so, Serafina must enter the forest her father has warned her against; and within that forest lies a deeper secret Serafina must confront – that of her own identity.
Wednesday, November 4th 19:00 The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl
Join Faerie Maven-Pralou as she reads The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and more.
Thursday, November 5th 19:00: Banfennid – The Women of Celtic Myth & Legend
Weaving fragments of ancient epic texts and the richness of oral tradition, Jennifer Heath brings alive 15 tales from pre-Christian Ireland featuring the powerful, wild, and wise women of Celtic mythology.
From the sea goddess Fand to Cerridwen, who can change her shape at will, to the avenging warrior queen Criedne, the women of Celtic literature are here celebrated for their ingenuity, spirit, physical courage, and deep instinctual natures.
Retold for the modern reader, in earthy, poetic language, these haunting, deeply moving tales exert all the primal pull of great storytelling, awakening ancient memories buried deep within our collective unconscious.
Saturday, November 7th, 12:00 Noon PDT at Seanchai Kitely
“So, where were you in 1977? Do you remember the first time you saw the first film? The first 25 times you saw the first film? Maybe you have never seen it at all.”
Join Caledonia and Shandon at Seanchai Kitely’s space world as they inform you, “these are the stories you’ve been looking for,” while opening a volume penned by the grand master Jedi himself, George Lucas.
(grid.kitely.com:8002/Spaceworld)
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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.
Caledonia and John resume their tea-time assignation with the writings of Neil Gaiman at the Seanchai fireside room.
Continuing from last week, when Mr. Giaman’s tales shared the spotlight with those by Mr. Ray Bradbury, Cale and John this week focus solely on Neil’s writings. Given the time of year, the stories in question are suitably spooky in nature and tone.
So get yourself ready for some delightful tales to go with the dark October skies and the time when ghosts, witches and other strange beings flit at the edge of our thoughts, and maybe a hint of horror as well.
The fires will be stoked and warm, but the shivers may come, nonetheless!
18:00 Magicland Storytime
Caledonia reads more from Serafina and the Black Cloak (see fruther below for story details) at Magicland’s Golden Horseshoe.
Monday October 26th, 19:00: A Night in the Lonesome October Concludes
The Seanchai staff are marking the arrival and passage of the Halloween month with readings of Roger Zelazy’s A Night in the Lonesome October. The latter is the last of Zelazy’s published works, and 31 of its 32 chapters (the first being an introductory chapter) each take place on a night in October.
The book is satirical in nature, and is written in the first person – the narrator being Snuff the dog, the companion to none other than Jack the Ripper.
Once every few decades, when the moon is full on the night of Halloween, the fabric of reality thins, and doors may be opened between this world and the realm of the Great Old Ones.
At this time, men and women with occult knowledge gather at a certain location to engage in The Game – an attempt by some to open the doors, and others to hold them closed. Should the Openers ever win the game, the Great Old Ones will come to Earth, remake it in their own images and enslave or slaughter the human race in the process.
Thus, through the month of October, the Players in The Game – all archetypal characters from Victorian Era Gothic fiction – form alliances, make deals, oppose one another, and even resort to murder in their attempts to make sure the doors are ready to be opened or can be held fast when, on the night of October 31st, the final ritual takes place and the fate of the world is decided.
And now that night is upon us! Which way will the fate of the world play out?
Tuesday October 27th,19:00 Corwyn’s Bag
Join Corwyn Allen as he settles down to read stores pulled from his bag of seasonal tales.
Wednesday October 28th 19:00: Serafina and the Black Cloak
Caledonia Skytower continues reading of Robert Beatty’s spooky mystery thriller.
Serafina lives a life of total secrecy. While her father may be the maintenance man for the great house of the Biltmore Estate, the wealthy owners of the estate have no idea that he lives in the basement of the house – and much less that his daughter lives there with him.
Not that this is a problem for Serafina; she is quite at home exploring the great house and its grounds whilst avoiding being seen. There’s certainly no need for her to venture into the great forest beyond the estate, and with which, he father has said, lie many dangers.
But when the children on the estate start vanishing, Serafina is forced to join forces with the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners, and discover the identity of the one they believe to be behind the disappearances: the Man in the Black Cloak. But in order to do so, Serafina must enter the forest her father has warned her against; and within that forest lies a deeper secret Serafina must confront – that of her own identity.
Thursday, October 29th
19:00: Ultimate Halloween Stories
With Shandon Loring.
21:00 Seanchai Late Night
More tales with Shandon!
Friday, October 30th, 16:00: The Goblin Market & More
Seanchai Library is participating in the Good Reads Hunt. To get started, visit the Good Reads starting point at Literature Alive!/Desi’s Gifts and Prints
Don’t forget to visit the Five Irish Haunts panels at Seanchai Library to discover something about ghosts and haunting!
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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.
It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to our virtual lives by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library. As always, all times SLT, and events are held at the Library’s Second Life home at Bradley University, unless otherwise indicated.
Sunday, October 18th 13:30: Tea-time with Neil and Friend
Caledonia and John play a little game of “what if” as a short break is taken in the saga of Sherlock Holmes and The Valley of Fear. What if Neil Gaiman decided to offer Rad Bradbury a little afternoon tea? And what if Mr. Bradbury had accepted? Which of their own stories might they have shared with one another and the October afternoon outside drew close and the night slowly fell, the fire burning brightly in the hearth before them?
Perhaps Rad Bradbury might have chosen The October Game and Heavy Set, while Neil Gaiman settled for October in the Chair, and if time allowed, perhaps even Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire. And what if you were there to listen to these stories as well?
Monday October 19th, 19:00: A Night in the Lonesome October
The Seanchai staff are marking the arrival and passage of the Halloween month with readings of Roger Zelazy’s A Night in the Lonesome October. The latter is the last of Zelazy’s published works, and 31 of its 32 chapters (the first being an introductory chapter) each take place on a night in October.
The book is satirical in nature, and is written in the first person – the narrator being Snuff the dog, the companion to none other than Jack the Ripper.
Once every few decades, when the moon is full on the night of Halloween, the fabric of reality thins, and doors may be opened between this world and the realm of the Great Old Ones.
At this time, men and women with occult knowledge gather at a certain location to engage in The Game – an attempt by some to open the doors, and others to hold them closed. Should the Openers ever win the game, the Great Old Ones will come to Earth, remake it in their own images and enslave or slaughter the human race in the process.
Thus, through the month of October, the Players in The Game – all archetypal characters from Victorian Era Gothic fiction – form alliances, make deals, oppose one another, and even resort to murder in their attempts to make sure the doors are ready to be opened or can be held fast when, on the night of October 31st, the final ritual takes place and the fate of the world is decided.
Tuesday October 20th,19:00 The Upper Berth
“It is a very singular thing,” said Brisbane. “that thing about ghosts. People are always asking whether anybody has seen a ghost. I have…
“I am an old sailor, and as I have to cross the Atlantic pretty often, I have my favourites … The Kamtschatka was one of my favourite ships. I say was, because she emphatically no longer is. I cannot conceive of any inducement which could entice me to make another voyage in her.
“I got on board. I hailed a steward … ‘One hundred and five, lower berth,’ said I, in the businesslike tone peculiar to men who think no more of crossing the Atlantic than taking a whisky cocktail at down-town Delmonico’s. The steward took my portmanteau, greatcoat, and rug. I shall never forget the expression on his face … ‘Well, I’m d——d!’ said he in a low voice, and led the way.”
So opens F. Marion Crawford’s 19th century ghost story, The Upper Berth, in which Brisbane and the Captain of the Kamtschatka confront the mystery of the titular berth within cabin 105 aboard the ship. A berth that had caused a number of passengers to run screaming through the ship to throw themselves over the stern. Join Trolley Trollop to discover more!
Wednesday October 21st 19:00: Serafina and the Black Cloak
Caledonia Skytower continues reading of Robert Beatty’s spooky mystery thriller.
Serafina lives a life of total secrecy. While her father may be the maintenance man for the great house of the Biltmore Estate, the wealthy owners of the estate have no idea that he lives in the basement of the house – and much less that his daughter lives there with him.
Not that this is a problem for Serafina; she is quite at home exploring the great house and its grounds whilst avoiding being seen. There’s certainly no need for her to venture into the great forest beyond the estate, and with which, he father has said, lie many dangers.
But when the children on the estate start vanishing, Serafina is forced to join forces with the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners, and discover the identity of the one they believe to be behind the disappearances: the Man in the Black Cloak. But in order to do so, Serafina must enter the forest her father has warned her against; and within that forest lies a deeper secret Serafina must confront – that of her own identity.
Thursday, October 22nd
19:00: Ghost Stories
With Shandon Loring.
21:00 Seanchai Late Night Special
Caledonia at the SL Goth Festival with a selection from “The Graveyard Book”.
Also This Month
Seanchai Library is participating in the Good Reads Hunt. To get started, visit the Good Reads starting point at Literature Alive!/Desi’s Gifts and Prints
Don’t forget to visit the Five Irish Haunts panels at Seanchai Library to discover something about ghosts and hauntings!
—–
Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule.
The featured charity for October – December is Reach Out and Read, one of the most highly rated literacy charities in the USA which reaches 4.4 million children annually and distributes 1.6 million books.
Please note that all SLurls given in this preview will not be generally open until approximately 12:00 noon SLT on Saturday, October 17th, 2015.
BURN2 2015 opens its gates on Saturday, October 17th and will run through until Sunday October 25th.
As with previous years, the festival is spread across six regions, all in the familiar desert look, surrounded by sandy hills that add to the atmosphere and give more of a feel that the event is connected with the real life Burning Man festival.
The theme for this year is “carnival of mirrors”, with the announcement of the theme noting:
This year’s theme is about mirrors and masks, mazes and merger. It will be a kind of magic show that takes the form of an old-fashioned carnival. This Carnival of Mirrors asks three essential questions: within our media saturated world, where products and people, consumption and communion morph into an endlessly diverting spectacle, who is the trickster, who is being tricked, and how might we discover who we really are?
Classic carnivals, as theatres of illusion, upheld a very strict dividing line that separated carnies, cast as showmen, from members of a naïve public who were labelled chumps and suckers, marks and rubes. Our carnival, however, will perform an even more subversive trick — its motto is Include the Rube. The wall dividing the observer from observed will disappear, as by an act of magic; through the alchemy of interaction, everyone at once can be the carny and the fool.
The Man (by Danger Lytton) overlooks the carnival theme of the playa
The Festival will commence with a Lamplighters procession, which will set out at 12:00 noon SLT on Saturday, October 17th, with a further procession taking place at 19:00 SLT. There will be similar daily processions at 12:00 noon and 19:00 each day of the event through until Friday, October 23rd.
Saturday, October 24th will feature three burnings of The Man, at 06:00 12:00 noon and 18:00 SLT. On Sunday, October 25th, the Temple will likewise burn at 06:00, 12:00 non and 18:00 SLT, but each of these burnings will be preceded at 05:00, 11:00 and 17:00 respectively by Lamplighter processions, which will each include a Fire Dance performance at the Centre Camp. Note that different LMs will be in operation for The Man and the Temple during the burnings, and that you can keep track of all BURN2 activities through the event schedule on Google Calendar.
To ease your explorations of the regions, don’t forget you can pick up a ride at the Department of Mutant Vehicles. This is also the place where visitors can join a guided tour of the event, which will take place twice daily throughout the week, at 14:00 and 22:00 SLT respectively. The tour will include descriptions of Juried plots, invited artists, theme camps and more. Hot air balloons also offer tours of the regions at any time.
As with previous years, participants have fully entered into the spirit of the BURN2 theme, and the six regions offer a tremendous carnival atmosphere, with Today Nakamura’s Temple build beautifully and brilliantly capturing the essence of the theme and the playa as a whole.
The Temple, Toady Nakamura’s theme-capturing build
About BURN2
BURN2 is an extension of the Burning Man festival and community into the world of Second Life. It is an officially sanctioned Burning Man regional event, and the only virtual world event out of more than 100 real world Regional groups and the only regional event allowed to burn the man.
The BURN2 Team operates events year around, culminating in an annual major festival of community, art and fire in the fall – a virtual echo of Burning Man itself.
Related Links
All SLurls will be open to the public from approx: 12:00 noon SLT on Saturday, October 17th, 2015.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 