Well, we have liftoff!  This is the new University of Auckland site, on the sim Long White Cloud.  Interestingly, the names New Zealand and Aotearoa were already taken…one by a commercial land company.   I’m pushing this project like a large boulder uphill, as there is relatively little interest from the rank-n-file teaching staff, and more than a bit of skepticism from administration.  I am getting support from the University, however, so I have to count my blessings.

At present we are working on prototypes for two real projects;  first, a writing ’skytower’ that is being developed by our campus Student Learning Centre, and second a virtual hospital ward that we envision using to develop stronger medical ‘team’ studies (eg. simulate ward emergencies).  These are early days, but I am confident that the folks involved in these projects will be instrumental in helping us understand the utility – or lack thereof – of virtual worlds for higher education.