Scenes From The VWBPE Grounds

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 The Virtual World Best Practices in Education was a great success as it always is. The lectures and discussions were well attended and well received . 

 

Since I spent most of my time there hosting and assisting visitors and participants I only got to a few presentations myself but I knew I could view any lecture I wanted on the website below. 

https://www.vwbpe.org/watch

 These photos were from a wonderful story telling of Mythic Tales of the North Atlantic Coast , 

 

This event was not captured on the watch page but was a wonderful presentation by Delia Lake who last year gave a tour of the marvelous Wetlands Region . 

 

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the spooky tale and all the curious things we witnessed on the region as we walked through the fog.

I am already looking forward to next year!

Gemma Cleanslate

The VWBPE Grounds

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

I made a visit to the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education (VWBPE) Monday just to let you get a glimpse of what a visit there will look like. The programs look wonderful with great presenters as usual. The Press  Release contains the information.

The venue is quite different from the past years.  Last year it was in space This year it is solidly on the ground. It is titled’ Uncommon Realities’. You will have a wonderful Hud to guide you to the sites for presentations and social event .When you arrive at the Gateway, grab the Swag Bag that contains the hud and other items that will help you on the vast area.

Various Biomes await you from desert to forest.  I looked up a definition of Biome just to be sure , it is”  a biome is a community made of all the habitats in a given region and climate. Different organisms inhabit different types of biomes. “As you travel from one biome to another you will find an explanation of each.

 I was taken especially by The Wetlands. It is expansive and lovely. The building there contains lots of information about wetlands . There will be a guided tour there one day. Check the program for the time and day.

The auditorium where the Keynote speeches will be held as well as some other large events is delightful and there is plenty of room in different sections.

The place of remembering those who have gone from life is the Lest We Forget. I stopped there. Ebbe Linden’s plaque was prominent at the entry way. Take a walk to see the others remembered. Here is the full program for you to peruse. Some of the presentations may peak your interest. https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe23-program?mc_cid=b72656b04f&mc_eid=aafed12562
 

Scattered among the biomes along the roads  you will find structures such as this . Inside it a wealth of information about The University of New Mexico. There are many in each biome. Walk around and check everything. Look for some nice gifts as you go along. Look through the events clicking on the picture and see what you like. The social events are always fun and all are welcome . Freebies will be found in the social area. I picked up an outfit, some  sneakers and other items. . Here is the gateway. https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe23-program?mc_cid=b72656b04f&mc_eid=aafed12562vw
 

I will be a host Ranger at the event for the 5th year I think .  I found my outfit and this is how to recognize me. Say Hi!

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Mindscape

By Gemma Cleanslate

One of the offshoots from the VWBPE that I finally got to see will still be in the world of Second Life so you will be able to take a look at this marvelous display of the creative mind of artists at work.

Asmita Duranjaya, a well known artist and owner of InterstellART  put out a call to artists to create  for  a collaboration to be called, “ 'MindScape', and it will be related to brain research and to all, what can refer to the human mind, how to develop, inspire and care for or manipulate it. 15 artists will create either a 2D or a 3D work referring to the topic by adding his or her idea, be it more realistic-physical or more mental or philosophical abstract. I provide on my sim the environment for presenting the artwork and am also one of the active artists. The 3D area is a moon landscape, where the 50-prim-installations are presented."

Fifteen artists answered the call with both 3d and 2d displaying their own inner vision of the brain activity and care. At the entrance to the 3d part of the installation one can pick up a notecard that introduces all the artists and their biographies . You can also find a tp to the 2d gallery there and when you arrive tour the 2d exhibit and also take a look at all the past works of Asmita which are on that level .

I toured the entire 3d exhibition at her InterstellART  with Asmita and several other visitors on the day for VWBPE members and friends . It is so eclectic in the expressions represented, but so interesting to see the brain research and care that each could see as necessary to brain health and happiness. 

I had to go back to take a second and third look at each to try to discover what they see. It is like poetry , so individual in thought. These pieces are not static but most of them moving .

Up at the 2d art gallery  on another visit I toured the lovely display of the many artists who participated in that part of the exhibit . Memories , dreams , thoughts, good and perhaps bad are depicted in the portraits there.

 Stories may be congured up  in one’s own mind when viewing all the exhibits . It is definitely worth several visits to experience what each artist may have been thinking when working on their own part of it all. Asmita told me that the exhibit will remain in place for several more months so take your time there. It may be good therapy in these days to meditate on the pieces . I am not an artist, but am an audience of appreciation of  the creativity of those who are. That is why I love to visit installations such as this.  To begin the tour enter here . 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nice%20Atoll/185/142/3685

Gemma Cleanslate

A Look At The VWBPE Grounds

by Gemma Cleanslate

I had my first peek at the new site of the Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education. My mouth is still agape at the build! I don’t know how the participants are going to be able to just sit and listen and react with the lectures, workshops, and discussions. This year it is a wildly different venue than any other year in Second Life. If you are not familiar with the event check it out here and perhaps come visit March 26 through 28. https://www.vwbpe.org/ Look at the program to see what is going on each day.

I have been volunteering as a greeter for several years so I was lucky to get an overview on Saturday on the various sites that will be available to presenters, participants, and the other many visitors to the program. Bluebarker Lowtide escorted us on a tour around the universe of the site. There will be a convenient hud for all  at the Gateway along with a swag bag.

Sponsors and members have some marvelous exhibits all of which seem to have their own floating island . The hud will take you to each. Some are interactive and look for gifts . Loads of information on virtual education is available at the exhibits.

Draxtor Despres had many participants as he filmed Sunday hi-lighting an overview . There was a huge pre-party in the social area which is very popular with attendees and presenters in off times. We also had a videoing of the building activity of some awesome and also basic builders at the social site that was great fun  and demonstrated what Second Life is all about , This video will be on the official Second Life you tube channel Wednesday to wet your appetite for the event .

Make sure you visit the social area and look for the freebies section there . Have a talk with the Emobot too . He needs to tell you his woes.  If you visit once I think you will visit again and if looking for something new to do come along and attend one of the programs that sparks your interest.

Here is the Gateway, say hi if you find me there .

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VWBPE%20Gateway%20Pyxis/100/128/23

Gemma Cleanslate