Saturday, March 1, launched the kickoff event for Strengths Island, a groundbreaking interactive educational Second Life environment created by The Wishfarmers, based on author Jennifer Fox's curriculum.
Saturday's event featured a lively discussion between Jenifer, author of the book "Your Child's Strengths," and the attending teachers and educators.
Here's a clip of the very beginning of the event that will give you a little more information about the Strengths Movement in general.
Next, we'll go over some of Strengths Island's specific features.
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Jenifer Fox (Jeni Voom) Explains The Strengths Movement
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Transcription of Jenifer Fox in this clip: "Virtual Worlds are really something that kids are starting to get turned on to. So if we want to change kids' lives, one of the places to begin is by going where they go, and they go here. Although they're not on this particular island, this is really a test case for their parents, and for educators." "I created the Island so that educators, parents, and anyone else that wants to, can come here and figure out what their strengths are." "So I've been working with The Wishfarmers, and they've done a fabulous job at helping me brainstorm about ways that this island could become interactive." |
"It goes with the Strengths Movement website, where people can join up into the StrengthsNet, which is an IntroNetworks site where you're able to connect with other people, organizations, schools, parents, college students, anyone around the world, who wants to talk about developing strengths."
"Let me say this, that developing strengths really just isn't about feeling good about yourself. It's really about finding the part about you that will help you make the biggest contribution."
"So I think that there's a real political piece to this, in that, there are a lot of options for people, and there are a lot of things people can do and become involved in, and, once you figure out what your strengths are, then you really have a responsibility to contribute. So that's what this movement's about."
Sign up for Second Life. Then come check out "Strengths Island." (Teleport Now) |
I've been hanging out on Strengths Island for a couple days now, and couple nights too I think -- writing up instructions for the Island's activities, so you can pop over there and enjoy them too.
I'll be linking to a few basic tutorials from my Second Life A-Z throughout these explanations. You'll be able to skip those parts if you're already familiar with how to perform those tasks in Second Life.
I decided to take a chance at over explaining this stuff a little, in order to encourage more educators to sign up for Second Life and come check out this Island.
There's a pretty good chance I'm there right now, if you want to come by and say hi. Teleport Now.
Here's a fun way to aquaint yourself with the Island and all of its various educational activities:
a Balloon Ride Tour.
Here's how to take the balloon ride:
- Teleport Here
Right click or apple/click and choose "sit," to sit in the balloon.
Type "start" in your local chat window to start the ride.
Now let's learn some more about the "Strengths Movement in general...
