Kidz Connect — Final Days

I am new to the Second Life Blog and new to even the Second Life program, but today I was able to see first hand what these students have been able to do.  Have you ever played the computer game The Sims?  I’m not talking Sim City or Tycoon, I’m talking about the game where you control the little virtual people in a little virtual world that you create? 

Okay, now, take that image and add to it.  What you’re looking at now is an island full of avatars (the little virtual people from before) who are building their own society on the island (think Swiss Family Robinson without all of the struggling for food).  And then, if that is not enough, add on the fact that each of these avatars have a real life counterpart and that some of these counterparts are from right here in Tampa, FL and some of them are from Amsterdam!  It really is the cross-section of techonology and really awesome internet communities.

These kids have quickly learned how to operate this complex program and have been communicating regularly across the ocean with kids doing the same thing.  And *cool tidbit warning* one of the kids involved in the Amsterdam program is a popular television actor in the Netherlands.  Think the Zac Efron of Amsterdam.

So, today these kids were rehearsing for their part in the Amsterdam show tomorrow and they danced and performed a song together.  It was funny to watch the Amsterdam students dance to the music and then move to talk and interact with them as avatars.  Talk about multiple personalities!

So, their big performance is this weekend and it will be live here at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and also streamed online.  They have rehearsals, more song and dance routines, and a world all of their own.  

What would I do if I had my very own virtual island?  I don’t know, but I’m sure that I would begin with the question: How do I make myself taller?