VCARA Blog
VCARA Blog
This is an archive of older VCARA posts. The current website and blog location is https://ischoolblogs.sjsu.edu/vcara/, but the best way to connect is by joining the SJSU iSchool VCARA Discord channel.
The iSchool has hosted educational and social virtual world events as part of our Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration (VCARA) since 2009. VCARA began in our MARA Program, but is open to any interested iSchool students, faculty, or staff. Managed by Bethany Winslow (Director of Online Learning) with participation by current students, alumni, and other virtual world colleagues, the VCARA website, blog, and Discord channel highlights the activities on our region in Second Life and other locations. We also collaborate with other educators and information professionals in-world, and we explore different social virtual reality platforms with our VR Exploders Club monthly outings. Join us!
VCARA New Website & Blog Location
Published: October 31, 2023 by Bethany Winslow
From being part of Second Life’s 20th birthday celebration, to exploring new virtual worlds with the VR Exploders, keep up with all the latest happenings with the Virtual Center for Archives & Records Administration (VCARA).
Learn more about what we do, how to get started, and follow our social media by visiting our new website and blog - https://ischoolblogs.sjsu.edu/vcara/blog/
VR Exploders Visit EngageVR
Published: June 18, 2021 by Bethany Winslow
The Exploders gang met June 18, 2021, for another adventure! This time we went back to EngageVR. (The last time we had been there was March of 2020.)
VR Headset and VR Desktop: Make Room for Both
UniVirtual Experience 2021
Published: May 9, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join in Altspace VR on Saturday, May 15, 2021, from 12 to 1 p.m. (EST) to talk about the future of virtual reality on both desktop computers and VR headsets to understand the benefits of each. Currently, the consensus shows they have unique advantages depending on the purpose of communities and individual learners.
Join us April 25 at the Fantasy Faire in Second Life
Literary Festival with Storytelling and Dramatic Performances, Discussions, and more
Published: April 23, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join the members of the Community Virtual Library (CVL) and SJSU iSchool’s Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration (VCARA) on Sunday, April 25, for a reading of two of our favorite fairy tales:
- The Ugly Duckling, a literary fairy tale written by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Anderson;
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses, a German fairy tale collected and published by the Brothers Grimm.
A Sherlock Holmes Experience in Second Life
Sat., April 3, 9-11 a.m. Pacific Time
Published: March 30, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join us in Second Life for a Sherlock Holmes Celebration!
XR Women and the iLRN Conference
Enjoying Events on the iLRN Virbela Campus
Published: March 27, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
The Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) is an international organization of developers, educators, and research professionals collaborating to develop the scientific, technical, and applied potential of immersive learning.
14 Reasons Why VW is Better than VR
Presented at VWBPE Conference by Marie Vans
Published: March 26, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
On March 19, Marie Van’s presentation, 14 Reasons why Virtual Worlds are Still Better than Social Virtual Reality Worlds was streamed live as part of the VWBPE 2021: Reconnaissance Conference.
iLRN Virtual Campus Celebrates XR Women
Virtual Worlds Women--don't be left out of the Virtual Reality Conversation!
Published: March 10, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
XR Women is a global collective of women and allies in XR. XR Women is committed to educating, connecting, uplifting, and inspiring women working in XR and those who have yet to join the industry. XR Women connects women with each other, shares opportunities, provides resources, and guides with insight.
The Game is Afoot! Calling all Sherlockians and Friends
Published: February 13, 2021 by Dr. Pat Franks
Plan now to join us Saturday, April 3, for a celebration of Sherlock Holmes in our Victorian Village on iSchool Island in Second Life.
Charles Dickens’ Christmas Reading
Listen to the audio recording
Published: December 17, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
The Community Virtual Library is a “real” library with branches in multiple virtual worlds–include virtual reality environments.
Recap of Dickens’ Reading, Parts 3-4, Dec. 9
and Invitation to attend Dickens Events held on CVL Research Row
Published: December 10, 2020 by Dr. Patricia C. Franks
Fun was had by all last night! Especially by the readers!! Thanks to the following whom each read multiple parts of two fun readings:
Recap of Dickens’ Reading, Parts 1-2, Dec. 8
And Reminder to Join Us for Parts 3-4, Dec. 9
Published: December 9, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
A festive audience gathered last night to enjoy a reading if Charles Dickens’ Holiday Story: Holiday Romance in Four Parts. Enjoy some photos from yesterday’s reading.
Holiday Romance in Four Parts
A Charles Dickens Holiday Story
Published: December 1, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join the Friends of VCARA for the 3rd Annual Dickens Holiday Reading on December 8 and 9, 2020, from 9 to 5 p.m. SLT (Pacific Time).
Recap of VR Exploders Group Visit to AltSpace
Published: November 25, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Members of the VR Exploders group entered AltSpace VR on Friday, November 20, 2020, and met at the CVL build and then enjoyed the psychedelic Shiva experience. If you haven’t tried AltSpace yet–visit https://altvr.com/
XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium Recap
Published: October 25, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
The first annual research symposium was held October 24, 2020, in the XR Research Center, a part of the Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration on SJSU’s iSchool island in Second Life.
Keynote presenter, Dr. Donna Z. Davis, shared her thoughts on the promise and challenges ahead for those seeking to use virtual reality in a way that promotes equity and inclusion (figure 1).
XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium – 10/24/20
Birds of a Feather Sessions: Accessibility, Environments, Networking
Published: October 19, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium, 10/24/20, 9 a.m. – 12 noon SLT (Pacific)
XR Bridging the Gap Research Symposium 10/24/20
Meet the Keynotes
Published: October 17, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Symposium 9 a.m. – 12 noon SLT (Pacific) | Keynotes 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Donna Z. Davis, PhD, APR / Tredi Felisimo in
SL
Associate Professor and Director
Strategic Communication Master’s Program
Oregon Reality (OR) Lab
University of Oregon
School of Journalism * Communication | Portland
XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium
Join us October 24, 2020
Published: October 14, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/217/128/33
Recap of VR Exploders Meeting in VRChat
Published: September 22, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
On the third Friday of each month, members of the VR Exploders Group (no, that’s not a typo) explore a different virtual reality platform. Last week, on September 18, 2020, they met up in VRChat to compare notes on the experience.
Since a 2019 survey of users of both Virtual Reality and Virtual Worlds revealed that 64% of respondents want a platform to encourage educational purposes (not predominantly social/gaming), the group keep the education use of the platform foremost in their minds.
XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium
Hosted by the VCARA, iSchool Island, Second Life
Published: September 9, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Plan now to attend the XR: Bridging the Gap Research Symposium on October 24, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon SLT (Pacific Time).
Venue: VCARA’s XR Research Center in SL
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/216/96/37
The goal of this symposium is to provide a venue for members of Virtual Worlds, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality communities to share accomplishments and challenges and to learn from one another.