Immersive environments are opening up a new universe of possibilities for students and lifelong learners. Our static two-dimensional web pages are moving to an era of three dimensions, rich in texture, sound, and interaction. In this introductory course, we will explore three-dimensional immersive environments such as Second Life, Wonderland, and massive multi-user gaming worlds. Students will learn how to enter the worlds, travel through the environments, communicate, host a meeting and, in some cases, create objects. Students must be 18 years or older to register for this course.

Instructor-Jackie Lindquist

This course focuses on using current technology tools for collaboration, entertainment, professional development, system security, and networking on the Internet. Innovative technologies that will be explored include many of the following: social networking sites (MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, LinkedIn), virtual technologies (virtual environments, 3D chat, avatars, and online meetings), social network integration tools (RSS feeds, wikis, blogs, mashups, podcasts), voice and video collaboration tools and file sharing services (VoIP, TokBox, Skype, Twitter, Windows Live Mesh, Live Meeting, Animoto), security and personal safety (firewall technology, anti-spyware, anti-virus, anti-spam, phishing and identity theft, netiquette and ethnics), marketing and business tools (Flickr and E-bay), Web 2.0 application design strategies, and career opportunities on today’s Web.

Instructor-Ron Houle