VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

VE PLN

Help Plan Minecraft Survival Summer II: May 7 at 8 PM

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logo for minecraftThe VSTE VE PLN will once again "Survive the Summer" in Minecraft! This year, the organizer, Kim Harrison, is asking for community input when planning this experience. Anyone interested being part of this now-annual event should meet with the team on Monday, May 7, at 8 PM Eastern time, in Minecraft ( IP address 69.175.17.26:25565) and on Discord (https://discord.gg/ZHbjsv) to discuss it.

Participants may be able to earn points from their division with the VSTE certificate of participation. There will be a list of achievements to accomplish within a certain time period. Participants can complete them in a few weeks or take the entire summer. The idea is to have fun while networking with other educators inside Minecraft, learn why our students love this game, and brainstorm ways to use it for instruction.

Won't you come help organize?

In order to participate, you must have a computer Minecraft account from https://minecraft.net/en/ to join. There is a one time fee of $26.95. Download and install the software. Choose multiplayer and add a server: Name VSTE Place IP 69.175.17.26:25565 Our server is protected. If you want to be whitelisted to enter anytime you want to continue building this, or anything else, email Kim Harrison at K4sons@gmail.com or kvharris@vbschools.com from an educational email address with your real name and minecraft name.

The Virtual Environments Professional Learning Network sponsors events in virtual environments including Minecraft and Second Life. The best way to keep up with their work is to join their Google Plus community.

VE PLN Sponsors Literary Studies Group

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VSTE's Virtual Environments Professional Learning Network (VE PLN) is pleased to announce the formation of the Second Life Literary Studies Group. The purpose of the group will be to discuss literary works, usually short stories, and share better ways to teach literature and English, in general. The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 8 PM, and the group will be discussing the short story "The Star." This short story is available at:

https://sites.uni.edu/morgans/astro/course/TheStar.pdf

Second Life is free to access. You need an account and software to access the virtual world.

We recommend setting up an account at the Rockcliffe University Consortium's Gateway here: https://urockcliffe.com/reg/second-life/ Download and install the software. While your Second Life viewer (software) is open click this link http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VSTE%20Island/61/104/22 and voila! Look for an avatar on VSTE Island and say, "Hey, I'm new!" We will take care of the rest.

The VE PLN shares news, events, and resources at their Google Plus Community. Click here to join.

VE PLN Builds Birdhouses in Second Life

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Let's build a bird house! Norma Underwood is going to lead us through the steps to make this cute little birdhouse Monday, April 23 at 5 PM SLT (8 PM EDT). You will get to practice many building skills that can help you with projects of your own! Please join us!

If you don't have a Second Life account get one, it's free. We recommend setting one up at the Rockcliffe University Consortium's Gateway here: https://urockcliffe.com/reg/second-life/ Download and install the software. While your Second Life viewer (software) is open click this link http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VSTE%20Island/61/104/22 and voila! Look for an avatar on VSTE Island and say, "Hey, I'm new!" We will take care of the rest.

Learn More

Literary Studies Group Meets in Second Life, April 12, 2018

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The NEW Literary Studies group will meet April 12, 2018 at 8 PM ET on VSTE Island In Second Life.  This group is for middle school, high school, and college/university teachers and professors who want to discuss literary works, and improve lesson planning for English classes.The group will meet in Second Life, a virtual environment. 
Want to learn more? Connect with VSTE's Virtual Environments Professional Learning Network through their Google Plus community.
You will need the free Second Life Viewer and a free account. You can get both of those at the Second Life website: http://secondlife.com/. Download and install the software. While your Second Life viewer (software) is open, click this link http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VSTE%20Island/61/104/22 and voila! Look for an avatar on VSTE Island and say, "Hey, I'm new!" We will take care of the rest.

Minecraft Monday, April 9, 2018

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logo for minecraftMinecraft Monday April 9 at 8 PM EDT will be a chance to build and share potential student projects. 

Join the group to see what everyone has been building this week. Learn more here.

Start NOW by creating a 3D model at VSTE Place /warp schoolwork

Display something you'd have your students create. Find a lesson in your curriculum that might normally be done with manipulatives or as a 2D diagram. Create it in one of the spaces provided and we will tour them on the 9th!

Feel free to use more than one space if you have several ideas. Be sure to put out signs as to grade level, subject, builder...

In order to access VSTE Place, you will need a Mojang account and the Minecraft software. Contact Kim Harrison, K4sons@gmail.com, with your Mojang name so she can whitelist you and provide the server access information. You will also want to get involved with the .