AmericaSpeaks will bring together a unique mix of Americans … including in virtual world of Second Life (SL)! Watch the video:
Yes, we’ll be using the same discussion guide … we’ll be keeping the same schedule … we’ll be taking the same opinion polls. You can register here.
AmericaSpeaks Second Life, however, will gather people in real-time from across the country to create a different type of diversity … a blend of regions rather than a cross-section of a specific community.
Second Life is a highly-interactive setting that allows people to experience the same quality of conversation, just like you were physically in the same room. The difference is that you’ll be sitting at your own computer, and you’ll have access to your own web browsers to search for and share additional information you feel will help with your deliberation … in real-time. It’s unlike any webinar or conference call you’ve participated in because you’re immersed in a realistic online environment. If you can chat/email and have basic computer skills, it’s pretty easy to meet in Second Life.
In Second Life, we’ll be gathering people into small groups, just like in real-life… we’ll be hearing the AmericaSpeaks video feeds, viewing the website, conversing with each other and taking opinion polls via MaestroConference, sharing in local chat, and searching for additional website resources … all at the same time.
AmericaSpeaks Second Life is not for everyone … yet. This kind of multi-tasking experience can be overwhelming for some. But for those who are already familiar with Second Life — or who are willing to learn how to use it at a free orientation prior to the event — this experience will be highly deliberative and totally fun.
AmericaSpeaks Second Life will be a unique experience that adds another dimension to the nationwide conversations of the face-to-face AmericaSpeaks events.
An easy online sign-up process is already in place and registration is free of charge. Orientation sessions will prepare people for SL interactions and for AmericaSpeaks deliberation.
Co-hosted by ■ California NIF Network ■ Deliberative IDEAS, a Deliberative Practice group in Second Life ■ World Café ■ Center for Voter Deliberation of Northern Virginia ■ PublicDecisions ■ Texas Forums.
Contact us for more information: Craig Paterson, Deliberative IDEAS at craig_paterson [at] yahoo.com / 707 864 0419 or Beth Offenbacker, PublicDecisions, at beth [at] publicdecisions.com / 571 303 9208. Or … contact Craig … aka “Giarc Glenwalker” in Second Life.
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M.E. Lee
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