VCARA Blog
VCARA Blog
Our school hosts virtual world events as part of our Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration. Managed by Dr. Pat Franks and written by current students and alumni, this blog highlights lectures and events held on iSchool Island in Second Life, including the annual VCARA Conference. This blog also reports relevant events hosted by other education and information groups in virtual worlds. For more information about VCARA and its members, visit our website: https://sjsuvcara.weebly.com/
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 who 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.
Virtual Worlds Sept. 5 MOOC Event Recap
Published: September 6, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Marie Vans (iSchool alumna), Bethany Winslow (SJSU eCampus instructional designer), and Dr. Pat Franks (MARA program coordinator) hosted a tour of VCARA and an overview of the upcoming XR Symposium on Saturday, September 5.
Virtual Worlds MOOC Event – Sat., Sept. 5, 2020
Published: September 4, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
You are invited to attend two SJSU events on Saturday, September 5, 2020.
The first event takes place in ZOOM. Details follow:
Saturday September 5
8:30 a.m. SLT; 11:30 a.m. Eastern
BethanyTheVirtualVersion
Newbies in Second Life Meetup
Planning Meeting for VCARA’s XR Symposium
Published: August 2, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
If you’re interested in becoming involved, please join us.
When: Tuesday, August 4, 5 p.m. SLT
(pacific)
Where: VCARA’s XR Research Center
SURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/216/96/37
Linden Lab Acquired by Investors
The Promise is: Second Life will Continue to Expand
Published: July 14, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
No one knows for sure but the overall message is don’t worry–Second Life will continue to grow.
Read more here. We’ll keep you informed as we learn more.
iRLN 2020 intro to VCARA & CVL
Published: June 27, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Bethany Winslow welcomed visitors to the VCARA/CVL Showcase at the iRLN Conference with a video greeting.
She is speaking from the VCARA XR Research Lab on the iSchool island. If you’d like to visit in Second Life, contact Dr. Pat Franks for an appointment and/or instructions.
iRLN 2020 Conference
All this week!
Published: June 22, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
The Immersive Learning Research Network is hosting its first conference totally “virtually” this week. Most events take place on the Virbela VR Campus. Visit the iRLN website for details.
VR Hangout at Virbela
Friday, June 19, 2020 at 5 p.m. Pacific
Published: June 18, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
The VCARA XR Interest Group is meeting tomorrow in VR.
XR Research Center Announced
A VCARA iSchool Initiative
Published: May 19, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Dr. Marie Vans and Dr. Pat Franks conducted a tour of the new XR Research Center added to the VCARA build on SJSU’s iSchool Island.