Archived, Page 3 Category

Inside The Avatar’s Studio

In Conversation with Joel Foner: The Lost Art of Quality

Tuesday, December 14, 2pm PDT
Rockcliffe Rotunda (Second Life)
Rockcliffe University Consortium
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/243/12/29

Host: Kevin Feenan (Phelan Corrimal), CEO of Rockcliffe University
Filmed Live by Metaverse Television: www.metaversetv.com/live

Joel is a technical project manager, innovative problem solver, communicator and coach with an uncommon array of business, technology and consultative skills, as well as years of experience with software development and technical sales. Joel has managed complex, public-facing projects for a number of the heavy hitters in virtual environments including Linden Lab and Remedy Communications. His track record of successful rescue of troubled projects extends over more than 15 years, accomplished through a mix of organizational change facilitation, management, technical and customer engagement skills.

This month Kevin Feenan (SL: Phelan Corrimal) will be discussing with Joel the nature of change, process improvement, and the social ramifications of virtual worlds used by businesses, educators and governments, and whether they can generate sustainable long-term benefits.

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

Join us at Rockcliffe University, a Metanomics Event Partner, to watch this week’s show streaming live at
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/150/220/69

Metanomics host Robert Bloomfield interviews Michael Chorost: Author of “Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human”

The following is from www.michaelchorost.com:

“Dr. Michael Chorost (pronounced “kor-ist”) was born with a severe hearing loss due to an epidemic of rubella. He didn’t learn to talk until he got hearing aids at age 3½. Those enabled him to grow up speaking English more or less normally, and he got a B.A. in English from Brown and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. His dissertation was on how online environments are transforming classroom teaching. As a basis for his research, he created an online “collaboratory” in ColdFusion and used it in his English classes for four years. In 1998, this application won First Prize in the university’s annual contest for innovative educational software.

“On July 7, 2001, he lost the remaining hearing in his one usable ear and got a cochlear implant shortly afterward. This experience was chronicled in his book, Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human (Houghton Mifflin, 2005). It has garnered over 20 strong reviews from publications such as the L.A. Times, the Times of London, the Village Voice, the Chronicle for Higher Education, and Business Week. It was named as an Editor’s Choice in Reader’s Digest’s August 2005 issue. It won the PEN/USA Book Award for Creative Nonfiction in 2006, and has been optioned for the screen. It has also been published in the UK and translated into Japanese.

“Since his book came out he has written for The Washington Post, Wired, The Futurist, The Scientist, Technology Review, Sky, the Stanford Medical Report, and The Best American Science Writing 2006. He screenwrote a TV special on brain implants titled The 22nd Century, which aired on PBS in January 2007.

“Along with Chris DiGiano of SRI International (now at Google) and Shelley Goldman of Stanford, he co-edited the book Educating Learning Technology Designers: Guiding and Inspiring Creators of Innovative Educational Tools, which was published by Routledge in November 2008.

“In July 2008, he contracted with The Free Press (Simon & Schuster) to write his second book, “World Wide Mind: The Coming Integration of Humans and Machines.” This is forthcoming in February 2011.

Feel free to contact me with any issues you may experience. And remember, you can also view the show on the web at http://www.metanomics.net/show/

Virtual Ability provides the V2T transcription so that the audio from the show can be accessed in text format in real-time. If you would like to view the V2T transcript during the show, which is meaning-for-meaning not word-for-word, please join the SL group:
Metanomics V2T Voice to Text

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

Inside The Avatar’s Studio

In Conversation with Chris Collins (Fleep Tuque) and Andrew Hughes – University of Cincinnati
November 3, 2010 @ 4pm PDT
RUC Rotunda
Rockcliffe University Consortium
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/243/12/29

Host: Kevin Feenan (Phelan Corrimal)

This month’s guests are Chris Collins and Andrew Hughes from the University of Cincinnati. This month we discuss the the current state of education and the social dynamic surrounding emerging trends in technology, active learning, simulation, their challenges and the benefits that working within a virtual environment adds to the learning experience.

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

The Rockcliffe Faculty is excited to host a special Open House on Saturday, October 30th. So much has happened in the last few months and we have so many amazing things planned for the coming semester.

11:00 AM – Keynote address by Kevin Feenan (Phelan Corrimal), CEO of Rockcliffe
Phelan will be welcoming everyone to Rockcliffe University and will discuss upcoming plans for Rockcliffe including the new sim layout, introduction of new course, forums, conferences, and virtual environments.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/254/21/31

12:00 PM – The Changing Face of Education with Nissa Rewell, Purdue University
Nissa discusses what educators are currently facing, how virtual technology can change the focus in education, and whether educators are prepared for the direction education is headed.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/254/21/31

12:00 PM – Project Management Forum with AgileBill
Do your projects and meetings drag on? Do you deliver work to your client only to find it’s not what they wanted? Do you find it difficult to plan and hold dates? Join AgileBill Firehawk with Pamala Clift for a tour of new tools for collaboration and planning.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Agile%203D/104/192/1501

12:00 PM – RUC Law Forum: Issues on a Serial Killer with Randi Hooker
What is the source of this evil? How does one get that way? Have we become insensitive to this..
Should we profile these people?
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20X/35/58/22

12:00 PM – Prim101: Introduction to Building with Physicist Oh
This free class will introduce you to the basics of building in SL. No experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Conservatory/129/155/602

12:00 PM – Journal of Virtual Studies: What’s in it for you? with Linda Sautereau
Peggy D. Lee, Ph.D. Indiana University Kelley School of Business, will present an overview of the Journal of Virtual Studies, covering it’s scope, focus and purpose. The next Call for Papers will be discussed with the purpose being to encourage potential authors to submit their work.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/78/212/75

1:30 PM – 3D Virtual Worlds for Learning and Training with Phelan Corrimal
Even after four years, educators are still asking the question: Why Virtual Worlds for Education? This presentation helps answer that question by discussing the value proposition of virtual worlds and the ways in which learning in which virtual environments should be used to achieve the greatest level of instructional proficiency.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/254/21/31

1:30 PM : So Many Worlds-So Little Time: Virtual Worlds Exploration with Kavon Zenovka and Abacus Capalini
How many avatars do you have and in how many worlds? Business, education and entertainment organization have more options than ever before. Kavon and Abacus will share their experiences in the Metaverse of social virtual worlds and MMORPGS. All virtual world explorers are invited to share their own adventures and an opportunity for new travelers and explorers to learn more.

The session will also include the discussion of the upcoming World of Teachcraft: The Learning Quest at Rockcliffe University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUwF7n_SZAA (video)
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Library/174/35/24

1:30 PM – Learning Archetypes – the Building Blocks for Effective Enterprise Learning with Johnathan2007 Whitfield
Although not specifically designed as a learning environment or learning tool, Second Life has proven to be a rich resource for delivering learning not only to businesses, but also to academic and government sectors. Learning Archetypes provide learning benefits and affordances that are unique to virtual world environments. This introductory workshop will describe the 11 Learning Archetypes, and identify how they align to different types of learning.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20Sandbox/129/127/3502

1:30 PM – Making Machinima for the Classroom with Lowe Runo and Dr. Sonicity Fitzroy
Machinima filmmakers are storytellers for the virtual generation and game culture. Documentary, music videos, drama and tutorials can be easily and inexpensively produced through machinima. Learn the basic mechanics, concepts, and aesthetics in transforming an idea into a machinima. Lowe Runo is the founder of the Machinima Guild. Co-authoring the book Machinima: Aesthetics and Practice with Dr. Fitzroy.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/190/190/59

1:30 PM – Court Trial – Serial Shrimp Shoplifting with Drug Smuggling
Join Hawc Decosta, Randi Hooker and the other players for a reader’s theater role play of the trial of a serial shrimp shoplifter who is also accused of drug smuggling. The audience will vote on guilt or innocence of the defendant. After the trial, a new homicide scene will be unveiled, with a contest to see which open house attendees can find the most pieces of crime scene evidence. Certificates will be awarded.
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20X/35/58/22

To end this amazing Open House, we are please to host the amazing concert:

3:00 PM – Beyonce – The Experience Tour

An amazing tribute to the American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and model. The top certified and best-selling overall artist of the decade. Spectacular lighting, pyrotechnics, stages and top quality sound with experienced SL performers. This is as close as SL can get to a real life concert. If you only go to one concert this holiday season, this is the one you want to be at!
Location: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20X/128/132/43

Virtual Goods: Opportunities, Challenges and Acquisitions. Robert Bloomfield interviews Michael Bobroff, Ernst & Young

Join us at Rockcliffe University, a Metanomics Event Partner, to watch the show being streamed live
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/150/220/69

When Metanomics started, virtual goods economies were just starting to be taken seriously. Now, the virtual goods industry has moved well beyond Silicon Valley and has the interest of Wall Street. From Facebook to Zynga to Second Life, the virtual goods industry has seen rapid growth over the past few years. They have redefined games where subscription-based models have been replaced by free-to-play games that sell virtual goods to a thin sliver of their player base: what are often called the ‘whales’.

Michael (Mick) Bobroff is no stranger to emerging markets. In the early 1990s, Mick was deeply involved in another new frontier which opened up in unpredictable ways: Russia. Now, a Partner at Ernst & Young, Bobroff is examining the challenges and opportunities of the virtual goods market.

The embrace of social gaming platforms and virtual goods will, he believes, lead to continued opportunities for venture capitalists and we’ll soon see large firms making acquisitions in the virtual goods arena.

Mick is an audit partner in Ernst & Young’s Northern California Technology practice who specializes in the software, digital media and on-line games industries with over 20 years of experience.

Mick serves a portfolio of SEC registrants and non-public companies. His portfolio of clients are involved in enterprise and consumer software, social games, multi-player on-line role playing games, mobile applications, online media services, wireless networking and firewall technologies. Mick is very experienced with complex revenue recognition models and is leading the firm’s efforts in providing its views and guidance on revenue recognition on the sale of virtual goods.

Mick spent 6 years at the Ernst & Young offices in Moscow, Russia and Singapore from 1992- 1998 where he served U.S. multinational companies in the former Soviet Union and in Southeast Asia.

Mick graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley

Feel free to contact me with any issues you may experience. And remember, you can also view the show on the web at http://www.metanomics.net/show/

You may submit questions beforehand here:
http://bit.ly/M-Questions – Google Moderator takes questions and votes on most popular!

Virtual Ability provides the V2T transcription so that the audio from the show can be accessed in text format in real-time. If you would like to view the V2T transcript during the show, which is meaning-for-meaning not word-for-word, please join the SL group:
Metanomics V2T Voice to Text

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

Robert Bloomfield interviews Noam Chomsky

Join us at Rockcliffe University in Classroom B to watch the show being streamed live
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/150/220/69

Metanomics welcomes Professor Noam Chomsky for a very special episode on Tuesday October 12th at 12:00 p.m. PST.

Professor Chomsky needs little introduction. Professor of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he has written and lectured widely on linguistics, philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary issues, international affairs and U.S. foreign policy.

His work has been at times provocative, always insightful, and has influenced generations. His appearance on Metanomics brings Professor Chomsky into a virtual world where a global community can join in the discussion and represents a highlight event for the Metanomics community.

Join us as Robert Bloomfield hosts this special episode of Metanomics and a wide-ranging conversation with Noam Chomsky.

Feel free to contact me with any issues you may experience. And remember, you can also view the show on the web at www.Metanomics.com/live

You may submit questions beforehand here:
http://bit.ly/M-Questions – Google Moderator takes questions and votes on most popular!

Virtual Ability provides the V2T transcription so that the audio from the show can be accessed in text format in real-time. If you would like to view the V2T transcript during the show, which is meaning-for-meaning not word-for-word, please join the SL group:
Metanomics V2T Voice to Text

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

Dusan Writer interviews Robert Bloomfield: Virtual World Economies

You can watch the show live at Rockcliffe University in Classroom B
SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockcliffe%20I/150/220/69.

In a special treat for Metanomics’ viewers, this episode will feature Robert Bloomfield himself as the guest. Robert has played host to business leaders, technologists, educators and authors, but on this episode he’ll share his thoughts on virtual world economies, games and simulations.

Can virtual worlds provide insight into economic behavior? Does playing a game equate with how we interact in the physical world? What would a system look like that would let us test assumptions about how governments, companies and individuals act?

In discussion with guest host Dusan Writer (Doug Thompson), this episode will take a look back and a look forward:
– What has Robert learned from virtual economies such as Second Life?
– How has Metanomics informed his research and efforts?
– Is it possible to model aspects of the “real” world in a virtual one?
– If virtual worlds can be used to study real economies, is the opposite true? Can virtual economies be adapted based on economic research and insight?
– As virtual and real economies increasingly impact each other, what are the broader implications for policy, culture and enterprise?
Join us for a provocative discussion with Robert Bloomfield as we learn about his experience, research and new initiatives to use virtual worlds as an important site of study and insight.

Feel free to contact me with any issues you may experience. And remember, you can also view the show on the web at www.Metanomics.com/live

Tuesday, 12 October, Noam Chomsky comes to Metanomics! Save the Date!

Virtual Ability provides the V2T transcription so that the audio from the show can be accessed in text format in real-time. If you would like to view the V2T transcript during the show, which is meaning-for-meaning not word-for-word, please join the SL group:
Metanomics V2T Voice to Text

Facebook Group: Rockcliffe University http://bit.ly/facebookRUC
Twitter: URockcliffe http://twitter.com/urockcliffe

Rockcliffe is currently in discussions with the IRS in order to complete the process for our 501(c)(3) applications. We are down to one outstanding issue that we are hopefully going to come to an agreement on before the end of July. In the meantime you will likely have noticed several updates to our web site as we prepare for eventual success in this matter.

As you may or may not be aware, Rockcliffe is unique in that we are one of the first organizations to be applying for 501(c)(3) status as a virtual organization that is attempting to develop a viable education model that will take us from a group of volunteers, to a recognized member of the education community, to eventual accreditation as an institution of higher learning much later down the road. It has never been done before and we are looking forward to being the first such organization to do so.

The IRS has been instrumental in helping us narrow our focus down to those elements that meet the intention of the tax code for such organizations, our user community, and our organization. Looking forward to great things ahead and hopefully reporting next month of our success in reaching an agreement which has been the biggest obstancle for Rockcliffe over the past 18 months that our application has been in progess.

With thanks to all that have been helping make this possible

Kevin Feenan (SL: Phelan Corrimal)
President, Rockcliffe University Consortium

The Rockcliffe website is under going a massive overhaul over the next couple of weeks. Be on the lookout for a ton of new features, updated classes, video and audio blogs, moodle classes, certificates of completion, and technical, business, and legal continuing education credits.