Beyond the Web - Jacked into the mesh through virtual worlds

 

Lindy McKeown - Glia Pty Ltd

 

Abstract

Over the last few years an almost overwhelming number of social networking tools and virtual worlds have emerged not merely technically, but socially into the fabric of the communications mesh. So many devices have joined the desktop and laptop as tools to “jack in”. Social networking has become knowledge networking for professionals and students. It is not uncommon to be simultaneously in multiple places and events and conversations across multiple realities. Networks allow members to do more than just link to their other networks; they have tools to allow direct communication between them. You can merge your collections and communities and input data manually or automatically from phones, sensors, Global Positioning Systems, buildings, cameras, home appliances, PDAs as well as computers. The challenge to the institution or organisation is to safely allow access to virtual worlds that are swiftly becoming essential and continuous elements of the social, educational and professional identity, blurring the distinctions between learning, work and play; physical and virtual; local and remote; reality and imagination.

Bio

Lindy McKeown has been developing online learning communities for professional development since 1994 and using computers in education since 1980. Lindy has worked with educational organisations across all the states and territories of Australia, the UK, the USA and New Zealand to integrate technology into professional and corporate learning, academic programs and school education.

In the last 2 years she has specialised in the use of 3D virtual worlds and works extensively in Second Life where she is known as "Decka Mah". She has her own consultancy, Glia Pty. Ltd., specialising in the application of online technologies for professional learning and corporate training and communication. Her current clients include Xerox and the University of Southern Queensland. She is a leader in the use of Action Learning in both face-to-face and online settings.

Lindy is currently completing a Ph.D. conducting ground-breaking research into the design of a purpose-built 3D online virtual world environment for teacher professional development. In recognition of the value of this research to the wider adult learning community, Lindy is the recipient of a Smart State PhD Grant which is helping to support this research. In acknowledgment of her extensive work with educators, Lindy is the 2006 recipient of the state, national and international Outstanding Leader of the Year Award for the use of Information Technology in Education.  She was highly commended in the Queensland Smart State Smart Women Awards in 2007 in the Postgraduate Students - Information and Communication Technology category.