It's been a busy year!

It's been quite a while since I blogged...not because I haven't been active in the SL community, but rather the contrary--I've been very busy so I want to recap some of my memorable adventures in SL as of late.

Since my last posting, I've participated frequently in the SL Educator's Roundtable Group where educators from K-16 come together from around the world to discuss timely issues [see: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44078263753&ref=share ];





I captained the Relay for Life "Team Texas Aggie" where the Second Life community as a whole raised an astonishing $270,388 for fighting cancer (see: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=19490) ! Go Relay! The most meaningful part was cheering on Cancer Survivors and Caregivers as they Relayed. Many of them commented that it was their only chance to participate in RFL due to their health, time and distance constraints. Relaying in a virtual world like SL just "makes sense".













I've also been busy as well as helping with the Texas A&M University virtual campus due to come online soon!

As time has progressed, my efforts in SL have focused on enhancing learning and making the "real world" a better place.

Value Added

I think that my focus in SL has evolved over the past year and a half to the point that I will continue to explore SL --but have committed to managing the Texas A&M Student Group that has now grown to 60+ members and are very diverse in abilities and interests.

This past weekend, I experienced the thrill of the Relay for Life (RFL) Finale of events. The RFL effort in SL has raised over $200,000 USD for the American Cancer Society to fight cancer. I was changed forever coming virtually face-to-face with Cancer Survivors and Caregivers. They were so very appreciative of all the efforts that the Aggie Team and other teams gave them to support them in their plight. I read many of their stories and how Second Life affords them the opportunity to participate in the Relay--when their health and schedules would have otherwise eliminated that chance.

With rising energy and living costs, a virtual environment like Second Life offers a flexible learning space for collaboration, training, and human resource development. I feel my time is well spent in SL as I research the best ways for virtual learning, research and interventions.
Please stay with me as I continue on my journey in Second Life. Please add comments or email me at: RachelleMunro@gmail.com.

Virtual-Aggie Muster

Softly Call the Muster.....


Tonite was an awesome night to be an Aggie in SL! We had a solemn, but informative "Muster" program for Aggies and guests. We learned about the history of the Aggie Muster and we held our candles high and remembered those who left us this past year.


Following Muster, we had a "Celebrate Life" dance at the new Aggie property...I filled in as DJ. We had lots of great music and dancing....and we raised another 5000+ Lindens tonite for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life (RFL) as the Texas Aggie RFL team.

Click the link above to see the great pictures that the Relay for Life photographer put in Flickr also!

--Rachelle

To blog, or not to blog

Sorry--I haven't spent time blogging lately.....But, these past few weeks have been very exciting in Second Life! I have been conducting research in this medium and it has been such a learning experience as I have interviewed 30+ participants to capture their thoughts around adult learning in a virtual environment.

Last Week, I volunteered to Captain the Virtual Aggie Relay for Life (RFL) team in SL benefiting the American Cancer Society. I was told that over $150,000 was raised for ACS in 2007 by 20+ teams and I'm sure the Aggie Group can do some serious work toward the 2008 goal! Go Aggies! Our first fund raiser is 3/17---with a St. Pat's Day Party at the Aggie Beach House. Come join us! --Rachelle

(RSVP me for access)