Learn UNIX while in Second Life!!!!!

By: Stefanie McPherson

Avatar - Stefanie Zapatero

CED-594 Spring 2009

Introduction to UNIX
I will be teaching the basics on UNIX programming. You the student will
have a good understanding of how to use UNIX once the 3 lessons are
completed.
I am a very visual person, so it's easier for me to understand something
when I can visualize it. So I will be giving a lot of examples that you can
visualize how to complete the assignments.

Learning Objectives
1> How to create a directory
2> How to create a file
3> How to edit a file using "vi"
4> How to use basic UNIX commands
5> How to do some basic scripting

Technology Required
> Windows XP or Windows Vista
> Putty application
> Access to the internet - able to download an executable file

Unit 6B - Reflections

Best Practices Conference: I enjoyed the conference on "what skills do I really need to teach". It was great learning some of the tools that teachers have learned in SL to use for classes. It's great to use practical tools, like hands-on examples and creation by the students help give a better understanding.

Wiki: I found it difficult to come up with a relevant topic to learning about Second Life. So I chose a topic that I am very familiar with. The website I used to create the Wiki is very user friendly. I really enjoyed creating it.

URL Loader: I used the 3 wood oval shaped seats in my space and linked them to some Police websites that I am very passionate about. These boxes each go to a different website, and are if you click on the boxes it gives you the option to go directly to the website.

AV Tool: I personally like the picture boards we created. They were fairly easy and a really neat addition to the Fontbonne SL site.

Teaching Methods: I find it facinating when we travel different places. You really get a feel for all the options that are in SL. Each site has different unique features that have added to my learning of SL. I like creating the sculptures because it gave me the chance to add something to our SL site. It was harder than I thought, but I liked it. I really like it when other people talk about their frustrations with the site and how they have muddled their way through. I find myself fighting with objects and creations to get them to do what I what.

Final Project: My target audience will be graduate students or business people. I would like to teach about UNIX and my experiences with using it. I have been involved with many, many different environments with UNIX and I think it can be an interesting topic.

Reflections: I have been struggeling a little bit. It's hard for me to find things in SL, but I have been successful so far. I get discouraged when I create something and then find out it isn't right. I guess I am surprised how much this course has focused around SL.

WIKI

http://stefanieteachingunix.wikispaces.com/

My WIKI talks about UNIX and how fun it can be. We will discuss how to create a webpage, do some scripting and learn basic UNIX commands.

SLURL

This is interesting how you can create an automatic "teleport" to a specific destination in SL. This is the only way to get from a non-SL browser site, to a SL site. So going from the outside in without logging in to SL.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/WebHosting/224/179/22

NY Times Article Review

I find it very interesting how an artist can actually sell real paintings on Second Life. It's like having a real business in a "not real" world. Who would have thought that technology would progress to this extent. Harvard is actually using SL to hold virtual classroom discussions. It's interesting on how you can take an online course, but still meet in a classroom setting for discussions and lessons.

Current Adventures in SL

Well, we learned how to edit Terrain in our class on Tuesday night. That was so neat. Now I understand that when I added grass to my site it affects more than just my site. It's so easy to affect someone else's land when you are editing. For example, if you add a hill or a valley, it affects more than just your 4mm square.
I have learned how to add gestures when you are talking. It has been a very neat unit.

Sculpture