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 Meeting 8/28/17 – Fall 2017
Published: August 15, 2017
VCARA’s first meeting of Fall 2017 will be August 28, 2017 @ 6pm SLT (Pacific) in Second Life!
ACRL Tour of Virtual Museums of Archaeology
Published: July 19, 2017
ALA’s ACRL Virtual World Interest Group hosted a Virtual Museums of Archaeology Tour by SeverusAlexander, the owner of the Archaeology Museums and Ancient History project in Second Life.
VCARA Orientations – Fall 2017
Published: June 16, 2017
Join VCARA members Alyse Dunavant-Jones and Marie Vans on August 4 and August 13 to learn Second Life basics and explore VCARA’s offerings!
VCARA SCREAM Quest: Archival Nightmare in Colonial Boston
Published: June 7, 2017
On May 8, 2017, VCARA launched and hosted a tour of its first SCREAM (Students Creating REal Archival Memories) Quest: Archival Nightmare in Colonial Boston.
INFO 298 Special Studies: Join VCARA, Get Credit!
Published: May 17, 2017
Join the fall 2017 VCARA team to help plan and participate in the events to take place during the 2017-2018 academic year.
8th Annual VCARA Conference: Recap
Published: April 28, 2017
The 8th Annual VCARA Conference’s theme was Virtual Worlds: Through Space and Time. A huge thanks for an excellent turnout! Presentation recordings are available.
8th Annual VCARA Conference – April 19, 2017: Schedule
Published: April 13, 2017
The conference will begin at the Ampitheatre on iSchool Island in Second Life. SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/9/51/44
8th Annual VCARA Conference – April 19, 2017
Published: April 3, 2017
The conference will begin at the Ampitheatre on iSchool Island in Second Life. SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/45/123/33
Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education 3/29/17-4/1/17
Published: March 29, 2017
Join VCARA March 29 – April 1, 2017 as we attend, exhibit, and present at the 10th Annual Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) virtual conference in Second Life. The 2017 theme is Legacy, and the conference is located at the SL URL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VWBPE%20Gateway/178/128/38.
8th Annual VCARA Conference 2017: Call for Poster Presentations
Published: March 10, 2017
The 8th annual VCARA Conference will be held on April 19, 2017. Students and alumni are highly encouraged to submit their work related to current and past courses.
VCARA Webcast: RIM & TRIM – 3/22/17
Published: March 9, 2017
Join VCARA on iSchool Island in Second Life on Wednesday 3/22/17 @ 6pm (Pacific) as Jennifer Crummey draws on over 20 years of records management experience at three different companies to share helpful steps and resources that can be used when building a Records Information Management Program for a company.
VCARA Webcast: Metaverse Libraries – 2/28/17
Published: February 7, 2017
Join Dr. Valerie Hill, Dr. Marie Vans, and Alyse Dunavant-Jones on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 @ 6pm (Pacific) as they discuss Metaverse Libraries, an initiative the three founded through their mutual interest in connecting virtual world communities.
Renaissance Island Celebrates 10 Years in Second Life
Published: January 29, 2017
Second Life offers many historical simulations, and the folks at Renaissance Island are especially committed to remaining true to history. Help them celebrate their 10 year milestone by exploring the island, scheduling a guided tour, or attending their special anniversary events.
VCARA Meeting – 1/30/17
Published: January 23, 2017
VCARA is kicking off for spring 2017!
Join us for the first meeting of the semester on January 30, 2017 @ 6pm (Pacific) as we discuss virtual worlds, information science, and plan events for the semester. You’ll find good company, networking and learning opportunities, and more!
VCARA’s SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SJSU%20SLIS/43/73/33
VCARA Orientations – Spring 2017
Published: January 3, 2017
New to Second Life or VCARA?
Join VCARA members Alyse Dunavant-Jones (alysedunavantjones) and Marie Vans (amvans Lapis) to learn Second Life basics and explore VCARA’s offerings:
INFO 298 Special Studies: Join VCARA, Get Credit!
Published: November 17, 2016
INFO 298: Special Studies Immersive Environment Project (2-3 credit opportunity), Spring 2017
The VCARA team is looking for 3-5 MLIS and MARA students to develop and implement a plan to increase and improve activities taking place on iSchool Island in Second Life during the Spring 2017 term.
Book Launch & Holiday Party December 6th: Let’s Celebrate!
Published: November 8, 2016
Join VCARA on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 6-7 p.m. SLT (Pacific), as we celebrate the launch of the recently released book, Teaching and Learning in Virtual Environments.
Spotlight: The Prince of Whales – Traveling Exhibit
Published: November 2, 2016
Immerse yourself in Tiamat Windstorm’s study of politics, public engagement, censorship, and criticism surrounding late Georgian political humor!
Visit VCARA’s U-See-Em Building and check out the traveling exhibit “The Prince of Whales: Flawed Royalty and the Joy of Political Cartooning in the Mis-United Kingdom of George IV 1785-1830”.
VCARA Training: Creating a Virtual Quest – 11/7/16
Published: October 10, 2016
The speakers will share ways to create a quest with tips on promoting, troubleshooting, and interacting on a global scale.
Join Brant Knutzen (Blended Learning Consultant for the Education University of Hong Kong) and Dr. Valerie Hill (President of the Community Virtual Library) as they discuss how to create and host a virtual quest.
VCARA Panel Discussion – 10/18/16
Published: September 29, 2016
VCARA presents Real World Advantages Through Virtual World Experiences: Learning, Networking, e-Portfolio Building, and Interviewing.
Join Lori Bell, Alyse Dunavant-Jones, Jeni Crummey, and Marie Vans as they discuss how SJSU iSchool instructors and students have used virtual worlds to learn, teach, make connections, and even find a job!