This is the first of hopefully a series of posts that will cover the creation of a new game in Second Life using the Logic System. Why? Well, several reasons.


I have people continually telling me that I need to blog, and talk about what I'm doing in Second Life and with learning in general. But I've just not gotten into the habit, and find it hard to blog, just for the sake of blogging. So, having something specific to write about will motivate me, get those folks off my back, and maybe have a few words here and there that are of interest to others.

A second reason for doing this is that I've been looking for a good way to explore the potential of the Logic System. I'd like to create something that has some possible learning value, that is fun, and that is in an area that interests me...just in case the whole thing is a major flop...at least the journey was worth it.

So, here we go. The goal is to create a "learning activity" on the Second Life platform that is "game-based", that uses the strengths of the Logic System, and is in an area that has special interest for me.

After some brief thought, here's what I'm thinking tonight.
I am going to create a game-based learning activity that involves the scuba diving simulation activities in Second Life. Yes, I am a scuba diver that is currently land-bound, looking out my Mid-Western US window at snow, ice, grey skys and single-digit temperatures. So it's an idea that hits all of the requirements.

I've got a few specific ideas running around in my head. Perhaps something environmentally-based...though there is already a great in-world trash-collecting simulation-game-activity in SL. There are still some possibilities there, but I'm also thinking about some kind of an activity that is based on marine life recognition...something that requires the player/learner to identify various fish and marine life and then "do" something with that. That could not only meet the criteria, but might make me a smarter diver whenever I DO get back into the water.

Something like a basic scavenger hunt sounds rather boring, but it's too early to rule anything out yet. Treasure hunts, solve the mystery, rescue the whatever...hmmm.

The Logic System adds the ability to easily have the learner/player follow logic paths, and have their follow-up input have impact on the game, or even elements of the environment. I can give them multiple paths to completion, with lots of options, and provide them with any kinds of resources I want to make available...or not. I could actually have their behavior rez (create) different in-world objects...like play with some breeding ideas, or the environmental impact of their actions and decisions.

Lots of possibilities.

What I do know now is that I want the learner/player to have multiple paths to completion, to authentically model elements of scuba diving (not 100% but at least some), to have the learner/player's decisions and actions to have authentic impact on the game/activity's progress, to have real learning involved and have it demonstratable and measurable, and to make it fun.

I will be building the game on my islands in Second Life, somewhere around "VB's Dive Shop" so if you are interested feel free to stop by and check the progress, and share some comments. I am also building new reefs and dive areas for the activity, so feel free to get wet while you are there.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/imagiLEARNING/44/67/21/

If you are interested in knowing more about the Logic System, we are putting more info here on the website, or you can try out the system yourself in Second Life:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/imagiLEARNING/94/18/23/

I will update this blog as I move forward...and we'll see where this little adventure might lead.

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