Sussex University gets a Second Life

10:44am Wednesday 5th March 2008

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A university has created its own computerised campus where students can study, work and socialise in virtual reality.

The 3D internet island, developed by graduate members of Sussex University's web team, looks like the real campus.

It can be visited by people who are signed up to the internet-based virtual world Second Life.

Every user creates a virtual version of themselves, called an avatar, which they can transport to different locations, including the Sussex campus.

Once they have arrived, they can fly around the university's main square to visit the library, attend online seminars, call into the students' union or the Meeting House or just admire the campus views.

Tom Shaw, a graduate intern with the university's in-house web team, has spent three months developing the project with colleague Beth Granter.

Tom, 25, who graduated in computer science last year, said: "The online campus allows university members and visitors to get more out of being part of a real community.

"It's been a great opportunity for me to learn new skills. It will be interesting to see how it develops as users sign up.

"We'll now be working with academics and the university's creativity zone - part of InQbate, the centre of excellence in teaching and learning in creativity at the university - to improve learning and teaching opportunities online as well as developing the social networking side of things.

"We really wanted to make it look like Sussex so instead of going for some fantasy look, we've recreated the centre of campus, including its distinctive Basil Spence architecture."

But the Second Life campus is not just about meeting and interacting with other students. The university sees it as a platform for developing teaching, learning and communication.

A lot of things are possible in the virtual world which would be too expensive or dangerous to do in real life. The university has taken on projects including helping medical students how to practise dosages on a virtual patient.

Other uses for the virtual campus are still in the developmental stages. They include offering potential students, particularly those abroad, the chance to explore it, virtual open days, keeping students up to date with study information and university news and showcasing student films and exhibitions.

Senior lecturer Dr Judith Good is teaching a course where students create educational experiences in Second Life for other colleges.

She said: "We are still exploring the potential usefulness for teaching and learning but we really want to push the boundaries and get our students doing something innovative."

To join and visit the campus go to secondlife.com/community/downloads.php

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