Yesterday I decided to explore two of the educational islands suggested on the Second Life Wiki (http://www.simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Life_Education_Wiki#Teaching_Resources)
The first was called Svarga (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Svarga/128.0/128.0) and provided a virtual ecosystem tour. In order to take the tour one jumps on the back of a huge wasp and it takes you throughout the environment while information streams on the local chat. It was more on the fantasy side but I saw immense potential as one could use this same approach to allow a student to tour varying geological areas or historical sites.
The second island I visited was beyond stunning (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Genome/130/130/48). Called Genome Island, it offers learning opportunities for students studying all aspects of genetics from molecular to large organismal. There is an Abbey and Garden in honor of Mendel, a Tower with molecular, human, bacterial and drosophila genetics. There is a garden of prokaryotic genetics (including the Plasmid Patio)! For those with interests in larger animals, there is a cattery and a bunny hutch. If, however, you are in search of more molecular methods, you will not be disappointed as there is a DNA analysis room, complete with virtual lab procedures (PCR, DNA sequencing and electrophoresis). Or, for a slightly different “flavor” of molecular, there is a bioinformatics kitchen. I will be spending more time in this location and already have plans to show students in my current microbiology class.
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