Stories from Second Life: How Languagelab gave language learning a new lease on life

sure Robin, everyone deserves it or none do. I basically dislike popularity contests Everyone contributes what they can, no need to place a few above all others.

It truly amazes me how you folks at LL seem to just brush aside the really important things going on in SL right now and instead focus on the dream of "theres a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" . It seems whenever any of us want to express our feelings on what is REALLY going on here in SL you delete our comments and only keep the ones that make you all look like your real winners. It wouldnt surprise me Kat if I come in here in another day and find my post "gone" like you have with so many before. There are many of us in here that have worked very very hard to change the look of SL and the experince from our side, but you all at LL dont seem to want to take a look at that,instead you think it is going to be some huge company or school that changes everything in here when in fact it is your current residents that do all the work. I think you guys need to pay more attention to the REAL world in SL and not the one you all seem to think that is going on in here. Can you honestly tell me how many people you know in SL that actually log in here to sit in a class room??? I have been here several years and I have yet to meet someone who does that. I do belive the world you all seem to think what SL is all about is a very very very small part of SL. Also..why would we need to learn a differnt language here in SL? all you need is a translator hud and you can talk to anyone..anywhere..anytime...just my 2 cents that I am sure is going to get deleted

I'm not going to recommend anyone, it might be beneficial for you to explore your own world, maybe then you won't make so many harebrained customer relations decisions to alienate your residents.

There are a shed load of blogs to read to find out what's going on, if you want to take a shortcut spend twenty minutes reading SLCN.

Your residents are already giving you tons of free publicity, your recent attitude to them doesn't warrant leading you by the hand to find innovation.

ooo, yay...

I want to recommend what's been my favorite project for the last several months, Brooklyn Is Watching... it's the brainchild of avatar Jay Newt, and although not a huge endeavor like Language Labs, I think it's a success on a several levels.

It's a real-life arts crossover installed at Jack the Pelican Gallery in Williamsburg, NY- and free to participate for all SL residents.

rather than take up a lot of space here, I'll refer you to their blog-

www.brooklyniswatching.com

and inworld

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Popcha/86/164/40

I'd also suggest Bettina Tizzy- few have done more for the artworld in SL- but she won't be available until mid-December.

I see from a few responses that some can't see the forest for the trees. Languagelab.com is a new innovation in teaching. David Kaskel has brought teaching to a new level. Instead of the students going to school, through SL the school comes to the students, in real time all over the world. The best teachers from around the globe, now have the ability to teach in one location. Languagelab.com students and teachers are only limited by their imagination.
I for one, was fortunate to come into contact with languagelab.com. I have progressive MS and was placed on disability. I was bedridden and only had my computer. I was taking classes in Second Life. One of the first in SL for college credit at TSTC.
I felt I was worthless, just a blob on the bed. Then I met David Kaskel. He needed actors for his "City". I had a BFA in theatre, and my voice was one thing that still worked. He took a chance on me. Now I have been working with languagelab.com for almost a year.
This has helped me so much, that I no longer feel worthless and a blob. I talk with students all over the world every day and am paid for it as I did when I worked before outside my home. But now all I have to do is pick up my laptop and I am working.
This has boosted me so much, that since starting work, I received new medication and because of my meds and positive outlook, due to working and being productive, I am now out of my bed in Texas, walking around (slowly..lol). This could never have happened without David Kaskel, languagelab.com and second life (ok, my neuro as well).
The other amazing thing is that the students who speak very little English when they first arrive are discussing current events with me as we fish. sail, or take a balloon rideover English city in one months time.
It is amazing!!! All because David Kaskel assembled some of the best teachers, professional actors, etc around the world and put them in one location. Now that is inspiring and amazing!!!
There are many more amazing stories in SL, and David's story deserves to be on that list!!!

I have some suggestions too - following up on Leah's idea

(a) Hotel Dare, I work on their stuff and it's a non profit sim that basically gives artists space who can't afford or necessarily obtain access to build space - it merges that with established artists who create space in the Hotel - so a real mix of creators and talent. Some are very well known RL artists, some are just starting out to design in Second Life. Artists include a range from myself (cough lol) Mijn Boa, Gattina Dumpling, Dizzy Banjo, Poid Mahovlich, Meat Carver, Ken Glume, Speedy Horner, Spindle Vlodovic, Four Yip, Rachel Breaker.

They are on the sim Aura and feel free to contact myself or Gattina Dumpling.

(b) my second one is slightly different and more on an eco theme. The Head Conference hosted on Second Life with RL tie in to hubs across the globe from Yahoo in San Fran to Brighton. It was a cost effective conference and showed SL can be used as a networking add on and joined many of the *virtual* attendees together.

Also Flickr - there is a huge community there of people it's how I find many cool places to see by the art people create showing their relationships, travels, and creations in Second Life. Perhaps you can do a LInden Lab submission for a hot place to visit with a prize for the best art or something.....Really recommend taking a look Robin/Kat to see what the amazing creators are doing, and the artists who photograph it add.

And whilst some state popularity contest, I think it's nice to highlight cool stuff. If you prefer everybody is highlighted, come up with a great way to do it! I would love to see more good content (let's hope Search and Event Listings improve).

Katt, I'd suggest NCI (New Citizens Inc.) run by Carl Metropolitan and The Shelter run by Travis Lambert. Both of these are innovative in that they are helpful, welcoming and guiding areas for new residents after they have left the official islands which despite the best efforts of us mentors have their shortcomings and from personal experience they are a great help to residents not only learn the basics but learn valuable skills for SL.

Some points, after I indicate that it's ironic that you want to "focus on the individual" but have deleted several of my posts about inviduals and the way they exercise their responsibilites withing LL and SL. Individual responsibility is relevant, as is the way individuals exercise those responsibilites.

That said, SL is a great platform for education and training, and I'd like to nominate Judi Newall, a librarian, for recognition withing SL for her contributions for spreading knowledge and helping make SL a better educational tool.

nice sig gordon. why not include a download link for copybot too?

For more information regarding Working Worlds, please contact Gaxdirector Weston (Managing Director) of Gax Technologies and organizer of the Career Fair, or Annette Wilder (inworld) of Wilder Public Relations Firm.

As far as Relay for life is concerned Belle Loll is a great person to talk to, as is Synergy Devonshire or Nevar Lobo all inworld.

Huh, I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you want feel good from the users, please allow Torley to post his awesome tutorials back on the blog. I've never seen a negative thing from him AND he's helping both new and old users alike. You'll improve how the blog is received and give us that sense of actual Linden involvement in the community.

And for a player based, I'll add my vote for NCI. It's a great place for new and old users alike to learn how to deal with the tools of the trade, so to speak.

none that I can think of

maybe explore and find things that jump out at you

I have to agree it does feel like a contest of sorts. why even single out people?

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts.