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/
Planning Meeting for VCARA’s XR Symposium
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
Purpose: Plan the XR Symposium: XR: Bridging the Gap, to be held October 24 on the iSchool’s Second Life Island.
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.
Recap: Reading of 1001 Nites March 29, 2020
Fantasy Faire LitFest in Second Life
Published: May 2, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Those who attend the March 29, 2020 reading of The Tale of the Trader and the Jinni (as translated by Richard F. Burton) as part of the Fantasy Faire LitFest in Second Life were transformed back in time not only through words but also their surroundings.
Tale of the Trader & the Jinni from ‘The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night’
A CVL/VCARA Live Storytelling Event in Second Life
Published: April 23, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 @ 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. SLT (pacific)
Where: Fantasy Faire LitFest 2020 in Second Life, Drifts of Anamnesis (SLURL to general area: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Drifts%20of%20Anamnesis/115/192/61)
Are you VR ready? If so… Be there Together 4/17/20
This is a 'group' event in Altspace and you must be invited.
Published: April 15, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Not all Virtual Reality Platforms are alike. This year has been one of exploration for the “Friends of VCARA.”
AltSpace is one of the platforms high on our list for a number of reasons:
Recap VCARA Spring 2020 VR Field Trip
Published: April 4, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Time travel in Virtual Worlds is so much easier and faster than in real life–and thankfully we don’t have to worry about social distancing!
Friday, April 3–in only one hour–the “Friends of VCARA” visited:
Survey Says! Developing Criteria for VR Courses
Recap of Panel Presentation 3/27/20 @ VWBPE Conference
Published: March 28, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
The panel presentation, “Survey Says! Developing Criteria for VR Courses,” drew a large crowd and was a huge success! While the results of the Survey conducted in Fall 2019 have not yet been published, preliminary findings were shared through this panel presentation.
VWBPE Conference–Panel on Criteria for VR/VW
Published: March 26, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
This past year the VCARA team has turned their attention to comparing the capabilities of Virtual Worlds (e.g., VCARA and CVL) to social Virtual Reality (e.g., Sansar and VR Chat).
Attend the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference session, Survey Says! Developing Criteria for VR Courses, to learn of the results of our preliminary research.
VW vs VR “Smackdown” — Round 2 — YouTube
Enjoy the show!
Published: March 7, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Last October, VCARA hosted a Virtual Worlds vs Virtual Reality Smackdown event that was so popular, it was taken on the road–presented as part of the OpenSimulator Community Conference (OSCC).
If you missed the events on VCARA and OSCC, you can still learn from the presenters by viewing the YouTube Video. Enjoy!
Virtual Pioneers Tour in SL
February 23 at 5 p.m. SLT - Tour of Museum Island
Published: February 16, 2020 by Dr. Pat Franks
Please join the Virtual Pioneers and John Noone (JohnNoone Resident) and Morgan Darkrose for a Tour of Museum Island.
Museum Island is an archaeological site, an artistic idea of Carlolello Zapatero an Italian artist & graphic designer. His passion for cultures and civilizations of all world, led to this creation of 3D historical and architectural art.
VW vs VR “Smackdown” — Round 2
Published: December 18, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
On December 14, 2019, eager spectators gathered to watch “Round 2″ of the VR vs VW Smackdown as part of the OpenSim Community Conference.
VCARA Storytelling Event: 3 Dickens Holiday Stories
Saturday, December 7, 2019; 11 a.m. - 12 noon (Pacific)
Published: November 28, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join the VCARA players for a reading of Three Charles Dickens Holiday Stories:
- The Child’s Story
- The Schoolboy’s Story
- What Christmas is as We Grow Older
This Storytelling Event will be presented in Live Voice. Feel free to get into the Victorian Spirit by dressing accordingly.
Tour of Nonprofit Commons Library–Fun was had by all!
Published: November 19, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
The Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration (VCARA) and the Community Virtual Library hosted a tour of the Nonprofit Commons Resource Library in Second Life on Sunday, November 17.
ACRL & VCARA Tour of Nonprofit Commons Library
Published: October 22, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
Title: Thankful for our
Communities
When: November 17, 2019 from 12:00
p.m. to 1:30 p.m. SLT (Pacific)
Where: Nonprofit Commons Resource Library in
Second Life
SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cookie/103/107/21
VR vs VW in Education Smackdown
A Recap of the October 15th Main Event
Published: October 16, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
If you missed the VR / VW Smackdown, you missed not only an informative session—but quite an entertaining one. The two sparring partners—Alyse Dunavant-Jones enthusiastic about the current efforts in and possibilities for Virtual Reality in education and Bethany Winslow defending the track-record and value of experience in Virtual Worlds—did justice to their positions. By all account, the bout ended in a draw!
Virtual Reality vs Virtual Worlds “Smackdown”
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. SLT (Pacific)
Published: October 14, 2019 by Dr. Pat Franks
Join us for a lively debate on the merits of virtual worlds and virtual reality! Our first presenter, Alyse Dunavant-Jones, argues that “VR is the future, and the future is now!” Our second presenter, Bethany Winslow, cautions that “Regardless of what VR platforms are used in the future, designers of effective immersive learning with VR must know the history of virtual worlds in education as well as have some hands-on experience in using them.” The sparing partners will be moderated by Dr. Valerie Hill, the director of the Community Virtual Library in Second Life, Avacon, and Kitely.