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With a click of the mouse, you can have a second life

Jake Fray
The Advocate

When MHCC Chemistry teacher Mike Russell went to the Oregon Community College Distance Learning Association (OCCDLA) conference as the distance-learning liaison for MHCC, he never thought it would open his eyes up to a “second life.”

“Second Life is a website that is built on the same concept as World of Warcraft where you create a picture of yourself and build your very own second life,” said Russell who has now been connected to the website for the past two years.

Within Second Life you can create your own world — according to the website, you can fly, run, surf, build, sit, relax and much more all free in this virtual world of second life.

“I am (in Second Life) known as Regulus Darkstone,” said Russell, “I love my whole island that I created and really it’s just everything about this website that makes it so great!”

It is very easy to join the world of Second Life, according to Russell.

“It is very easy, all you need is to just have personal information such as an e-mail address. The only problem is that you need to have some updated software to run the program,” said Russell.

The website was officially launched in 2003, according to the home website. Russell said the site has over 100 times more people than Manhattan.

“One of the coolest features on the website is that it basically has its own google search engine,” said Russell, “In the game you can search for anything and then it will teleport you to that area to go check it out.”

Through the game, one deals with basic everyday life situations — except for one big one.

“You never die,” said Russell. “You can fly and fall but you will never die and the best part is you will not feel the pain of dying.”

One of the big appeals of the website is that you can build your own world.

According to Russell, you can make your area of the game anything you want.

“If you like sports, you can build a football stadium for your area and the best part is others can come and look at your area you built,” said Russell.

Russell has started using Second Life as a teaching tool, which he hopes to use one day in class.

“With blackboard or web-CT (online course programs), you don’t really get to be involved in the learning process by watching something. With Second Life, it is a virtual world where my students can go to other science related areas and learn things while (they are) there,” said Russell.

Russell uses the website as an extra credit opportunity. Within a couple of years, he hopes to be able to teach a class in this virtual world.

“I hope to have some online courses where I can lecture to the students in this virtual world.”

To join, all you need to do is go to secondlife.com and download the program.

“It is free but you need money to have things built for you such as buildings,” said Russell.

“I would, in the next couple years, love to teach a chemistry class in Second Life. It is a great escape from your first world if needed,” he added.