Michael F. Shaughnessy

Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, New Mexico

1) Roya, you have just had your first global virtual meeting in second life. What was the meeting about?

First of all I would like to thank you for this interview. On August 28th 2010 the first Global Virtual Meeting for Gifted Education took place in Secondlife. Participants from Australia, USA, Ireland, UK and Germany attended this event with their avatars.

This was not just a meeting it was sharing experiences, information with people around the world from your home. Learning with fun and compared to real world it is cheaper and much easier.

Avatar-based virtual world education is highly interactive, providing the same convenience of not having to travel while providing a richer, more effective and more enjoyable experience.

2) What were some of the topics discussed?

This time I presented my presentation about solution oriented therapy for Gifted Children, which I presented at the ECHA conference in Paris.

After my presentation the audience started to discus and ask questions about underachievers, solution oriented therapy,…

3) Are you planning another one?

Yes, of course.

The purpose of the conference is to cultivate a global virtual meeting, sharing knowledge and experience about gifted education for students, educators, teachers and parents. I am planning our next meeting for Oct.

2.2010 at 9pm CEST.

4) Do you have a web site where people can get more information?

Yes, all information will be on our website of the Bavarian Center for Gifted and Talented Children.

http://www.begabungszentrum-bayern.de/first-ever-global-virtual-meeting-for-gifted-education-in-secondlife-28-08-201/

5) Why do you think this kind of meeting is important?

As I created my avatar at Nov. first 2003 I was thinking about sharing experiences, knowledge in second life with other people and I have done it. But after all these years I still believe that there are a lot of possibilities in this kind of meeting to work globally for all kind of education and why not for gifted education. We live in the 21^st century and we have to work together, solve problems together and share knowledge with each other. Secondlife is a virtual world, where we can do this.

6) Were there key speakers or central individuals?

We are also planning to get some good keynote speaker for our future events, as soon as they are interested to support gifted education, gifted children in this way. Additional lectures by different presenters are planned. This event is actually free of charge.

7) What have I neglected to ask?

What do people need to join this kind of meeting?

All you need is a computer, an avatar in secondlife, a headset and curiosity.

About secondlife:

http://secondlife.com

Quick Start Guide:

http://secondlife.com/support/quickstart/basic/all-in-one