ALG Learning Set 5 Meeting 2007-07-19

We managed to bring together 4 of the 5 original members of our group tonight at Gypsy Point on Terra Incognita. In attendance were:

• Majella Merlin,
• Cephas Innis
• Ryja Oh
• 2Ring Binder (chair)
• Decka Mah (observing)

We all introduced our project topics and implemented the Learning Set methodology of discussing obstacles and asking questions. We were unable to test audio and Speakeasy was a bit tricky for some of the members so we just used normal text chat. Consequently our meeting went for quite a long time (over 2 hours).

I'll add more detail about the meeting later, but here are some pics.


One thing I noticed in organising this meeting was how tricky it is getting even a small group together. Particularly so if some attendees are having technology issues and are unfamiliar with virtual presences like Second Life. What I thought would be a 45 minute meeting stretched to over 2 hours.

Some attendees expressed the feeling that the keyboard chat method in SL was perhaps no better than any normal Internet chat tool, so questioning the value of SL as a simple communication tool. The notion of the simulated realism in SL, and its worth
in activities like meeting or learning is an interesting one. My background in aviation simulation suggests that even the most rudimentary environ simulation can add a significant amount of perceived realism. That realism, although limited by the model implemented, does very much affect the value of learning activities such as role-play. For meetings in SL, certainly communication can be very effective without avatars being within site. In fact IM is often used to secretly communicate while within a group meeting. However even just sitting together can generate a feeling of belonging. I have noticed this myself when meeting with a new group of friends. The phenomenon of 'lurking' in an Internet chatroom is much less likely in a SL virtual meeting, with the group tending to invite quiet people to contribute. Being 'seen' is a significant factor in group dynamics and relationships.