A Tourist in My Own City?

One of the courses I am taking this summer deals with how technology shapes our very lives through the world around us. Today, our class took a trip to the city (NYC for you out of towners). We took the subway to Brooklyn, toured a few art galleries (unreal stuff btw) and then walked all around the footprint of the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn side). After a fun and filling lunch break, we all walked the bridge itself right across the span. We interviewed people on the bridge for a project that we are working on.

Now here I am for the first time in my life walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. I was born in Brooklyn for cryin out loud! I have lived in NY my whole life and even now I am only a 40 minute train ride from the city itself, but this is the first time I have actually done it. The people that we interviewed were from all over the world. One woman from Austria even told me that the bridge was "one of the things that she had to see." So here I am having almost the same experience as she was having despite the fact that this was my "home turf." Add to that the fact that I have never been to the Statue of Liberty either. Okay, the Empire State Building I have of course been to, but that barely counts. It's funny how you take some things for granted. It's like you think that you have forever to get around to them, but you surely do not. I had fun today, and I would love to share the video with my students next year when we explore the waterways of New York.

Get a (Second) Life already!

Could it virtually be a classroom or is it just a game?


I am looking into virtual worlds and doing some exploration. As I sit here typing, I am wondering what the deal is with this "Second Life" simulation thing that is all the rage nowadays and gaining more and more momentum with teachers. I am exploring more out of intrigue than interest. I am wondering how (if at all) I can use this as a resource in my classroom. I am somewhat predisposed to say that there will be minimal impact to my kids because of the grade level that I teach. Perhaps older students will be more able to utilize this.

I have started reading blogs and it is very interesting how some people (educators more specifically) are so into this 'world'. To me, it still feels like a new version of Dungeons and Dragons, but this time it uses technology instead of odd dice and perhaps it is also a bit more socially acceptable.

In any event, I would LOVE to know what educators are doing. I am beginning to envision virtual field trips to far away lands of different places and times... is that possible? What skills do I need in order to do this? Create this? Am I on the right track? Am I way off here? I'd love to know what you in the blogosphere (real world) are doing with your students in the virtual world.