Symposium on Creativity in Second Life
In August 2007, the NMC held a very special, one-of-a-kind event -- a week-long online symposium on the topic of creativity called the Symposium on Creativity in Second Life. The first in a series of conferences and events exploring virtual worlds of all kinds, the symposium was intended to redefine the way we think about online conferences.
About The Symposium
In August 2007, the NMC held a very special, one-of-a-kind event -- a week-long online symposium on the topic of creativity called the Symposium on Creativity in Second Life. The first in a series of conferences and events exploring virtual worlds of all kinds, the symposium was intended to redefine the way we think about online conferences.
As such, the Symposium on Creativity was held entirely inside the virtual world of Second Life, and made full use of the wide range of affordances offered within this virtual world.
The week-long symposium, which ran August 12-18, 2007, took place at the new NMC Conference Center sim in Second Life that adjoins the original NMC Campus. 
It featured self-paced, hands-on studio sessions in machinima, fashion, sculpture/modeling, and virtual photography, including access to expert instructors; breakout sessions on topics like basic and advanced building concepts, avatar design, scripting, machinima, and photography; discussions of educational aspects of virtual worlds; creative teaching techniques; and much more.
The week-long symposium included six major components:
- Studio Sessions — self-paced, hands-on studio sessions in machinima, fashion, sculpture/modeling, and virtual photography with access to expert instructors;
- Breakout Sessions — highly interactive 90-minute sessions on topics like basic and advanced building concepts, avatar design, scripting, machinima, photography, creative teaching techniques, and more;
- Featured Sessions — keynotes, panel discussions, tours;
- Learning Exposition — a showcase of easy-to-learn techniques, links to educational sites, and video learning;
- Parade of Sims — a set of tours led by the people who built and created some of the most sophisticated islands in Second Life;
- Social and Arts Events — a special series of exhibitions and performances intended to be both fun and to stimulate your own creativity.
The symposium was planned for a global audience, and as such, breakout and other conference events were scheduled at a variety of times, including times friendly to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Participants benefited from in-world instruction and interaction, resources on the flat web, and plenty of practice time. Featured keynote sessions opened and closed the symposium, and the week included social and arts events, tours, and a showcase where participants demonstrated their new skills and show off their projects.
This symposium was informed by the NMC's Educational Gaming Initiative, an effort launched in the fall of 2005. The initiative supports research and projects that focus on ways the engagement of games and virtual spaces can be applied to learning and online interactions, and on activities that stimulate the use and experimentation of these technologies. As more organizations and institutions develop a presence in the 3-D web, and as more visitors venture into virtual worlds, these spaces are already having an impact teaching, learning, and creative expression.
The focus of the Symposium on Creativity in Second Life therefore was to provide a forum to explore how creativity can be applied in the educational use of Second Life.
The symposium provided a place where beginners could practice basic skills, more advanced builders could refine their techniques, and practices centered on the educational use of virtual worlds could be shared. The symposium was designed as a blend of hands-on instruction, self-paced practice time, demonstrations, performances, discussions, and peer review.
Symposium Components
The Symposium on Creativity will offer a variety of session formats as detailed below.
Studio Sessions
Studio sessions – special hands-on workshops led by master craftspeople in Second Life – offer an opportunity to develop your skills in a particular area under the guidance of an expert mentor. Choose from Machinima, Fashion, Sculpture and Modeling, Virtual Photography, or Teaching Environments. As in a traditional studio class, you will receive a long-term assignment to be completed during the course of the Symposium. During each of five class meetings, you will learn a new skill or technique that may be applied to your final project, and you will have a chance to work on your project with your mentor there to answer questions as they arise. Each Studio course includes ten hours of instruction and supervised work time; additional time may be needed to complete your assignment.
Enrollment in Studio classes is limited to 20 people per topic and requires pre-registration. Those who register early for the Symposium will have the first opportunity to sign up for a Studio session.
Breakout Sessions
Breakout sessions are presented by your colleagues in Second Life-- each last for 90 minutes. Popular topics will be offered more than once so that people from around the world can all participate. Some 30 sessions will be offered within tracks devoted to Hands-On Creative Experiences, Scripting, Demonstrations, and Notions of Creativity.
Learning Exposition
The Learning Exposition sits at the center of the NMC Conference Center, and is intended to be the centerpiece of the island. This is the spot where receptions and other social events will be held, and attendees are encouraged to gather, browse the exhibits, and visit with the exhibitors.
"Parade of Sims" Showcase
These tours, led by the NMC Virtual Worlds builders who created the sims featured, will provide a "behind-the-scenes" perspective on how to approach large-scale design in Second Life. Meet highly-regarded Second Life builders and artists like CJ Carnot, Stella Costello, Shukran Fahid, and Ravenelle Zugzwang!
Social and Arts Events
Learning with a twist! What would Second Life be without the social aspects! Included as central parts of the Symposium are a Gala Opening Reception, performances by Chronic Skronski and the ZeroG Skydancers -- and two special art exhibtions, an installation by DanCoyote Antonelli, and an exhibition of interactive art, each filling and entire sim!
Studio Sessions
Studio sessions – special hands-on workshops led by master craftspeople in Second Life – offer an opportunity to develop your skills in a particular area under the guidance of an expert mentor. Choose from Machinima, Fashion, Sculpture and Modeling, Virtual Photography, or Teaching Environments. As in a traditional studio class, you will receive a long-term assignment to be completed during the course of the Symposium. During each of five class meetings, you will learn a new skill or technique that may be applied to your final project, and you will have a chance to work on your project with your mentor there to answer questions as they arise. Each Studio course includes ten hours of instruction and supervised work time; additional time may be needed to complete your assignment.
Enrollment in Studio classes is limited to 20 people per topic and requires pre-registration. Those who register early for the Symposium will have the first opportunity to sign up for a Studio session.
Machinima: The Art of Video in Second Life
Mentors:
- Stella Costello
- Kirk Kirkorian
Participants should have basic Second Life skills, including a solid understanding of camera movement in SL, and should have a story idea in mind before the first session.
Fashion: Virtual Haute Couture
Mentors:
- CJ Carnot
- Solivar Scarbourough
Participants should have a working knowledge of graphics software like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, basic Second Life skills, and should have a clothing or fashion design idea in mind before the first session.
Sculpture and Modeling: Expressing Yourself in Prims
Mentors:
- Ravenelle Zugzwang
- Stella Costello
- Shukran Fahid
This is not a class for beginners, but rather people who already have a working knowledge of how to build in Second Life and which to move to the next level. Participants should have a working knowledge of graphics software like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, good basic Second Life building skills, and should have a project idea in mind before the first session.
Virtual Photography: Capturing the Wonder of Virtual Reality
Mentors:
- Torley Olmstead
- Ravenelle Zugzwang
Participants should have basic Second Life photography skills and should have a shooting plan in mind before the first session.
Teaching: Thinking Beyond Prim and Mortar -- Building Creative and Immersive Classroom Environments in Second Life
Mentors:
- Beth Ritter-Guth, aka Desideria Stockton, Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Eloise Pasteur, Eloise Pasteur Educational Designs
How does a teacher create an immersive environment while maintaining course objectives? How does one create a classroom that is not like the real life deal? This workshop will provide 20 educators with the opportunity to build immersive learning environments by working with Content Designer, Desideria Stockton, and Educational Builder/Scripter, Eloise Pasteur. This is a hands-on, week-long workshop and will allow participants to build content effectively, ethically, and immersively in Second Life.
Participants should have basic building and scripting skills and should have a lesson plan in mind before the first session.
Creating Pandorar's Box wiki http://nmcpandora.wikispaces.com/
Creating Pandora's Box Blog http://nmcpandora.blogspot.com/
Learning Exposition
The Learning Exposition sits at the center of the NMC Conference Center, and is intended to be the centerpiece of the island. This is the spot where receptions and other social events will be held, and attendees are encouraged to gather, browse the exhibits, and visit with the exhibitors. The Expo will be open the entire week of the Symposium.
Video Learning Plaza
Enjoy eight informative videos on how to make the most of your second life from the acclaimed series by Torley Linden.
Exhibits
Browse fourteen diverse exhibits on significant projects and locations in SL, work educators are doing there, and a variety of useful “Learning Snippets.”
- Zen and the Art of Learning in Second Life
Selby Evans, Texas Christian University - The Info Isles: A community of virtual libraries
Lori Bell, aka Lorelei Juno, Alliance Library System - Colorado Tech’s SL Campus
Cynthia Colongne, aka Lyr Lobo, Colorado Technical University - Basic Scripting Tips
Cynthia Colongne, aka Lyr Lobo, Colorado Technical University - Ivory Tower of Primitives
Vince Frost, aka Lumiere Noir, Ivory Tower of Primitives - SL Vocabulary: You can learn to speak Second Life!
Jennifer Olmstead and Beth Sachtjen, aka Ravenelle Zugzwang and Stella Costello, NMC Virtual Worlds - Interesting Places to Explore in SL
Nick Noakes, aka Corwin Carillon, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - How to Make a T-Shirt
Solivar Scarborough, NMC Virtual Worlds - The New Media Consortium
Jennifer Olmstead, aka Ravenelle Zugzwang, NMC Virtual Worlds - How to Use your Camera
Robin Winter, aka Shukran Fahid, NMC Virtual Worlds - Commencement 2007: Simultaneous In-World and Real-World Graduation
Teshia Roby, April McKettrick, Kevin Hutori, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - The Art Of Mod: Making a Pick Up Bed Room.
Robert Szesnat, Jr. - Blending Realities @ the Centre for Digital Media
Joanna Robinson, Great Northern Way Campus - Innovative Pedagogical Techniques for Fashion Education in Second Life
Elaine Polvinen, Buffalo State College
Technology Set Up
For help during the Symposium:
The NMC wants to ensure you have a great experience at the Symposium on Creativity, and so has set up several avenues you can use if you find you need help. If you have any sort of a problem that affects getting ready for the symposium this week, or any part of your experience at the event, please contact the Symposium Help Desk at help@nmc.org (anytime) or 1-866-588-7680 (US business hours). Outside the US dial 512-445-4200 or Skype drljohnson.
When you arrive at the NMC Conference Center during the Symposium, our staff will, of course, always be on hand to assist you with any hurdles.
Here are our suggestions for helping you have the best experience possible during the Symposium.
- Your Computer. If you are brand new to Second Life, you will want to make sure you have access to a relatively new computer (less than 2 years old), with a fast graphics card (see the detailed software requirements from the Second Life site.). Second Life eats RAM for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you should try and avoid having other programs open at the same time, if possible,
Your Pipe to the Net. We strongly recommend that you are connect to the Internet by a wired connection -- wireless connections are notorious for poor performance (known in SL as lag); you may not be able to access audio and/or video on a wireless connection.- Using Voice Chat. The capability for voice communications built into Second Life is rather new, and the NMC Conference Center is equipped to allow voice chat. While we are not relying on it for our main sessions, we encourage you to try it out informally and while engaged in Symposium activities. If you have not done so already, this feature is enabled in the Second Life software via the Edit -> Preferences menu, and then the Voice Chat tab. It can be set up to be an open mike, or to only allow your voice to be heard when you press the "talk" button in the bottom right of the SL viewer. See the Voice FAQ for more information.
Get Your Headsets. During the symposium we will make use of the music channel for audio for the plenary sessions (the music channel requires speakers, but not a headset), but almost the other sessions plan make use of the new voice chat features. We strongly encourage you to include a headset/microphone with your computer set up, and to set your setting to "push to talk" so that your keyboard clicks and other background noises are not conveyed into the virtual setting.. Do not plan to use your computer or laptop's built-in microphone as it will cause unbearable feedback (bouncing echo) for your colleagues.- Turn on the Audio and Video. The presenters at the Symposium on Creativity plan to use all that Second Life has to offer in their sessions, so you will want to make sure you have all your settings configured properly for multimedia. This is simple and takes only a few seconds. In the Second Life software, under the Edit menu at the top of your screen, select Preferences, then the Audio/Video tab, and make sure you have the options checked to play streaming video and music.
- Ask for Help. The NMC want to ensure you have a great experience at the Symposium on Creativity, and so has set up several avenues you can use if you find you need help.If you have any sort of a problem that affects getting ready for the symposium this week, or any part of your experience at the event next week, please contact the Symposium Help Desk at help@nmc.org (anytime) or 1-866-588-7680 (US business hours). Outside the US dial 512-445-4200 or Skype drljohnson. When you arrive at the NMC Conference Center next week, our staff will, of course, always be on hand to assist you with any hurdles.
Schedule of Events
The official symposium schedule is available by clicking the image above (in pdf format), and contains information on the symposium, times, presenters, and session information. See below for the "schedule at a glance.".
The program has been constructed to offer popular sessions at a variety of times, including times friendly to attendees in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. All dates and times are Second Life Time (Pacific time zone). For reference, we have prepared a chart for the major time zones we expect to be represented:
Schedule at a Glance
PLEASE NOTE: Sessions marked "Studio" or "Limited Seating" are planned for a small audience -- only those who preregistered may attend. All other sessions are open to all attendees.
Sunday, August 12
- 2:00 pm Exhibition of Interactive Art opens on Ars Simulacra
- 3:00 pm Studio Sessions begin on Research 4 (about Studio Sessions...)
- 3:00 pm Learning Exposition opens on NMC Conference Center at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center (about the Learning Expo...)
- 4:00 pm Opening Reception opens and continues to 5:30pm at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
Monday, August 13
All sessions are at the Muriel Cooper Coliseum unless otherwise noted
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- Studio Sessions continues on Research 4
- 9:00 am Taking the Mystery Out of Scripting – A Hands-on Workshop (Limited Seating)
- 11:00 am Extreme Interoperability! Crossing the line from Web 2.0 to 3.0: SL Scripting To Web Databases (Limited Seating)
- Noon Expeditious Fashion Basics with a Creative Twist
- 1:00 pm Parade of Sims Tour 1
Second Health — Tour Guide: CJ Carnot - 4:00 pm Keynote Address — Dr. Larry Johnson (aka Larry Pixel)
Why Creativity Matters - 5:00 pm Second Life Educator's Skills Series: How to Make a T-Shirt and Gift Bag
- 6:00 pm Dancin' with Wolves: Lyr Lobo's Guide to Creating a Custom Dance Device
- 6:00 pm DanCoyote Exhibition Opening — Arts and Letters
- 7:00 pm Be a Rock Star in Second Life
Tuesday, August 14
All sessions are at the Muriel Cooper Coliseum unless otherwise noted
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- DanCoyote Exhibition continues on Arts and Letters
- Studio Sessions continue on Research 4
- 10:00 am The Magician's Cookbook: Scripted Solutions for Non-Programmers (Limited Seating)
- 11:00 am Advance Planning: Building Efficiently is Key to Long-Term Usage of your Land
- Noon Poetry and Theatre Performance in SL
- 1:00 pm Parade of Sims Tour 2
IBM Business Center — Tour Guide: Shukran Fahid - 2:00 pm Keynote Address (Reprise) — Dr. Larry Johnson (aka Larry Pixel)
- 4:00 pm Gaming Second Life
- 5:00 pm Effective Communication Design with Scripted Objects
- 6:00 pm Web2.0 In Second Life - There's More than You Think
- 7:00 pm Intro to Machinima (Limited Seating)
Wednesday, August 15
SL Update Day
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- DanCoyote Exhibition continues on Arts and Letters
- Studio Sessions continue on Research 4, but mentors are on hiatus today
- 6:00 pm Live Music & Tutorial
Featured Artist: Chronic Skronski see highlights
Thursday, August 16
All sessions are at the Muriel Cooper Coliseum unless otherwise noted
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- DanCoyote Exhibition continues on Arts and Letters
- Studio Sessions continue on Research 4
- 9:00 am Intro to Machinima (Limited Seating)
- 10:00 am Dancin' with Wolves: Lyr Lobo's Guide to Creating a Custom Dance Device
- Noon Improvisation and Second Life
- 1:00 pm Parade of Sims Tour 3
Colorado Tech — Tour Guide: Stella Costello - 4:00 pm Be a Rock Star in Second Life
- 6:00 pm Taking the Mystery Out of Scripting – A Hands-on Workshop (Limited Seating)
- 7:00 pm The Magician's Cookbook: Scripted Solutions for Non-Programmers (Limited Seating)
Friday, August 17
All sessions are at the Muriel Cooper Coliseum unless otherwise noted
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- DanCoyote Exhibition continues on Arts and Letters
- Studio Sessions continue on Research 4
- 9:00 am Synectics, Everywhere and a Virtual Museum of the Future: Educreation in Second Life
- 10:00 am SecondLife/RealLife: Creatively Teaching Project Management in SL
- 11:00 am Parade of Sims Tour 4
One Cleveland — Tour Guide: Ravenelle Zugzwang - Noon Studio Session Showcase — Teaching Environments
- 1:00 pm Studio Session Showcase — Virtual Photography
- 2:00 pm Studio Session Showcase — Sculpture and Modeling
- 3:00 pm Studio Session Showcase — Fashion
- 4:00 pm Studio Session Showcase — Machinima
- 5:00 pm Social Creativity and the Second Life Elf Culture
- 6:00 pm Shifting the Power from Teachers to Learners
- 7:00 pm Teaching On the Second Life Stage: Playful Educational Strategies for Serious Purposes
- 7:00 pm Live Performance — The ZeroG SkyDancers
- 8:00 pm Live Performance — The ZeroG SkyDancers
- 9:00 pm Live Performance — The ZeroG SkyDancers
Saturday, August 18
All sessions are at the Muriel Cooper Coliseum unless otherwise noted
- Learning Exposition continues at the Grace Hopper Exposition Center
- Exhibition of Interactive Art continues on Ars Simulacra
- DanCoyote Exhibition continues on Arts and Letters
- 9:00 am Introduction to Scripting in Second Life
- 10:00 am Improvisation and Second Life
- 3:00 pm Effective Communication Design with Scripted Objects
- 4:00 pm No More Business Suits Please: Creative Identity Play in SL
- 5:00 pm Panel Session: Reflections on Creativity in Second Life
- 6:00 pm Closing Comments
Dr. Larry Johnson (aka Larry Pixel), The New Media Consortium - 6:30 pm Conference Adjourns
Registration
Registration is now open and can be completed entirely online in just moments. The symposium schedule has been designed to offer sessions at a variety of times, including times friendly to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Note: All conference activities take place in Second Life and you will need a broadband internet connection and a relatively new computer to have an optimal experience (see system requirements). If you do not have a Second Life account, you should create one before the conference and spend some time in world (link coming soon for NMC's own account creation web site).
| Registration Category | Regular (ends August 5, 2007) |
Late (begins August 6, 2007) |
| NMC Member | $125 | $149 |
| Non-members | $149 | $195 |
| Student | $49 | $75 |
Call for Proposals
Note: The Call for Proposals closed on July 20, 2007.
Thanks for your interest and to all who submitted ideas for the symposium.
Proposals for Breakout Sessions for the Symposium on Creativity in Second Life, the first in a series of conferences and events exploring virtual worlds of all kinds, were solicited through Friday, July 20, 2007. The live online event will be held August 12-18, 2007, entirely in the virtual world of Second Life.
The symposium has been planned for a global audience, and as such, breakouts and other conference events are scheduled at a variety of times, including times friendly to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Proposals for breakout sessions were encouraged in any of the following areas, but this list is not exhaustive and selections were not limited to these categories:
- Creative tools — Using educational tools and techniques especially suited to virtual worlds
- Creative teaching — blurring the lines between teacher and student
- Photography — using the in-world photo tools
- Fashion — jewelry, and clothing design
- Sculpture and modeling — the organic side of building in SL
- Architectural building — the technical side of building in SL
- Avatars — design and animation
- Scripting — how to make objects interactive and responsive
- Machinima — the art of video within Second Life
- Be creative! Add your own category! …
Breakout Sessions will be 90 minutes long and are intended to make full use of the interactive features of Second Life. Hands-on activities and audience involvement are strongly encouraged.
Submit Your Proposal
Note: The Call for Proposals has closed as of July 20, 2007. We received many great submissions, as you can tell from the Preliminary Program.