Biggest class ever?

I think my SL animations class today was possibly the largest class I have ever had...until the server's collapsed and most people couldn't get back.  
Expect a post about this soon.  In the meantime, have some pictures.


 

The Meeting

 So.  The meeting.  It was supposed to determine the future of education within Second Life.  Did it?  Probably not.  Frankly though, it was needed, and I think its definitly a great start in, what I hope is a new era of inter school cooperation.  Lets be frank here: now the instructors are no longer under the banner of LL, they are going to have to organise themselves somehow, and in my opinion, meeting up like this once in a while is going to be completely essential.

Here is the transcript, although I doubt anybody will read it.

[16:59] You: Bah, gonna wait a few more minutes and then were going to start. Shame we didnt get a bigger turnup.
[16:59] Andy Evans is Online
[17:00] Andy Evans: I am very interested, but the timing is bad for me; scheudle conflict
[17:00] Nana Matsukaze: Saturdays are unpredicatble
[17:00] You: Bah its ok
[17:00] Googs Boram is Online
[17:00] You: as long as we get some discussion done and post the transcript on the forums and too the lindens I will be happy.
[17:00] Andy Evans: I am a consultant to companies interested in SL
[17:01] Andy Evans: May I contact you later for a transcript?
[17:01] You: Of course.
[17:01] You: OK....were going to start in a minute or so.
[17:02] You: OK
[17:03] Conover's SuperSmooth Flight-Helper 3.0a whispers: Conover's Ultra-Smooth Flight-Helper activated...
[17:04] You: OK
[17:04] You: I reckon we can start
[17:04] Shirley Marquez: Hello, Tyranor
[17:04] You: Let me just point out I'm not actually going to be doing much here...This is an open meeting. Anybody who will want to say anything, can. Just not everybody at once:p
[17:05] You: Ok. Thanks all for coming. The main point of this meeting is to get out different opinions about how SL teaching will continue in the future, and make sure both the residents of second life, and the Lidens know about whats happening now that Linden support has ended
[17:05] You: The transcript will be out on the forums, and Jesse Linden has already asked for a copy
[17:05] You: I'm going to let people know the state of things for anybody who missed out, and then anybody who wants to talk will be able to make their point.
[17:06] You: Right. As you all know, as of today, LL is discontinuing the stipend
[17:06] You: A variety of options has poped up, from corporate sponsorship to simply tipping.
[17:07] You: Yesterday was a meeting I know a few of you attended, where NetG made their proposal to sponsor classes as long as they were hosted under the banner of ASL.
[17:07] You: Persoannly, Although I found the offer very interesting, the perspective of only sponsoring classes in one specific area, by teachers approved by one organisation
[17:07] You: really worries me
[17:08] You: I find teaching independance one of the biggest advantages SL teaching had, and it is already looking like polarisation of teaching organisations may be the way its going.
[17:09] You: Thats about all I have to say, so now if any of you want to make your point of view known, just come forward really...
[17:09] Shirley Marquez: in the past, we also had teachers approved by one organization -- LL
[17:09] Carl Metropolitan: We approve our own instructors
[17:09] Carl Metropolitan: That is not the only option. We are still free to work out sponsorship arrangements on our own. NCI has done just that, and has signed up ten different sponsors to help pay for classes.
[17:10] Carl Metropolitan: With more to come
[17:10] Carl Metropolitan: Any group could do that.
[17:10] You: The main reason to have that meeting was to let people know that stuff like that is going on.
[17:10] You: What are other schools doing does anybody know?
[17:11] Carl Metropolitan: I love the deal ASL has put together. It is not the way we've gone, but it will do a great deal of good for all instructors
[17:11] Selaras Partridge: Thank you, Carl.
[17:11] You: I can agree with that. Its definitly an enticing deal for ASL instructors.
[17:11] Shirley Marquez: on the other hand, the new scheme does squeeze out the independent teacher who chose not to work through an organization
[17:11] Nana Matsukaze: Well, I was ejected and banned from that meeting for asking questions
[17:11] Carl Metropolitan: Unlikethe Linden system it's not the only option. It is an option.
[17:11] Nana Matsukaze: so I'm not sure if it's such a good deal
[17:12] Selaras Partridge: We're interested in everyone's concerns. I'm not really sure how I see how this affects anyone who does not wish to be affected.
[17:12] Selaras Partridge: Independent instructors can continue to teach independently.
[17:12] Selaras Partridge: Other fine educational establishments such as NCI will continue.
[17:12] You: But independant instructors and smaller establishments may not.
[17:13] You: Although that is not necessarily a bad thing
[17:13] Shirley Marquez: they can continue to teach, but they will probably have to do it without financial support
[17:13] Selaras Partridge: As you pointed out, Tyranor, a good teacher who accepts tips can easily make more than the LL stipend that was offered. Other teachers may prefer not to solicit tips... There's room for everyone (:
[17:14] You: Does anybody know what TUI has planned on doing out of interest?
[17:14] You: Guess not then:p
[17:14] You: So are NCI and ASL so far the only organisations with SL organisations offering sponsoring?
[17:15] Selaras Partridge: What organization are you with, Tyranor?
[17:15] Carl Metropolitan: I know they have made plans
[17:16] You: I have been working with SL Library and Info Island, but I don't represent them here...I'm simply an instructor who thought we needed a meeting so we could let instructors and instructors know what the alternatives are.
[17:16] Selaras Partridge: What do you plan to do? What is the nature of your concern?
[17:16] Something Something: TUI is holding some event tomorrow at 1:00 - 6:00 pm at Beyond the Prim 30,120,109, as a party for their instructors and "an opportunity to collaborate on the future of education in SL". So they may unveil or make their plans then. I'm not affiliated with them, don't know much about what they're up to
[17:17] You: yes I saw that
[17:17] You: I have the event brochure here actually I t hink...
[17:17] Selaras Partridge: Cool
[17:17] You: right
[17:17] Carl Metropolitan: I am sure TUi has made plans.
[17:17] You: buy this for the TuI brochure for tomorrows event
[17:18] You: We have been on a tipping model at the moment...
[17:18] Selaras Partridge: I hope no matter what happens, that quality education in SL continues for the good of the community... We have a lot of dedicated teachers in SL
[17:18] Carl Metropolitan: Crap. Nothing I type is coming out.
[17:18] You: but have been looking at a sponsorship model.
[17:18] Dagmar Kojishi: Carl, I'm seeing what you're typing, if that helps.
[17:18] Carl Metropolitan: Thanks
[17:18] Selaras Partridge: I hope that nobody is too discouraged by LL discontinuing the funding :\
[17:18] Carl Metropolitan: Sponsorship is good if you can offer the eyeballs
[17:19] You: well said carl.
[17:19] You: I think most instructors are interested in finding sponsors as long as they dont ask for too much.
[17:19] Shirley Marquez: I also wonder if WHICH eyeballs you offer will start to matter...
[17:19] Carl Metropolitan: I'm not sure it will work well for all instructors.
[17:19] Carl Metropolitan: It works for NCI because of our traffic
[17:20] You: Thats true. So it is probably likely that if instructors want corporate sponsorhip, they are going to have to join one of the bigger schools.
[17:20] Selaras Partridge: NCI deserves it, Carl... NCI has been a great organization helping newbies in SL for as long as I can remember
[17:20] Carl Metropolitan: Also--the Foundation for Rich Content is starting up again. They might be willing to sponsor individual classes since LL no longer does.
[17:21] You: Indeed. I have a random question I hope people can answer. What will happen to the instructor channel? Now its no longer LL approved...
[17:21] Carl Metropolitan: Persephone Phoneix is the director of the FFRC
[17:21] Carl Metropolitan: No--wait... it is already
[17:22] Shirley Marquez: I don't think there are immediate plans to kill the group
[17:22] Carl Metropolitan: It will become a cesspool of spam and useless IMs?
[17:22] Selaras Partridge: I think I read on the LL blog somewhere that it will be rolled into the Mentors group.
[17:22] Shirley Marquez: though they have talked about merging us with the Mentors in the future
[17:22] Shirley Marquez: alas, that will probably mean even MORE messages
[17:23] You: yes..Am I the only one who thinks we still need an instructor channeL? It can come in use at times.
[17:23] Carl Metropolitan: If I can stay in the Instructor email group
[17:23] Carl Metropolitan: I think I may "opt out" then
[17:23] Selaras Partridge: True
[17:23] Shirley Marquez: if LL kills this one or merges it with another group, we can certainly restart it
[17:23] You: But moderating who gets into it may be hard...
[17:24] Selaras Partridge: If it was Open to all, it wouldn't need much moderating.
[17:24] Selaras Partridge: People could leave the group when they're busy and don't want spam, and rejoin when they're available, freely.
[17:24] You: Although that still means its hard to get messages out. Another alternative is having establishmetns sending out invites, but again that makes indipendant instructors all the more redundant.
[17:25] Bendak Namanari is Offline
[17:25] Selaras Partridge: Is anyone here an independent instructor? I'd like to hear about your plans.
[17:26] Carl Metropolitan: Pehaps there should be an Association of Independent Instructors? You guys could negotiate as a group for sponsorships, etc?
[17:26] Morice Hofmann: why does my char not sit down <.<
[17:26] You: Indeed. If we can find any. I may have been completely wrong in thinking there was a significant number of indenpendant instructors...
[17:26] You: but yes that is an alternative.
[17:26] Dagmar Kojishi: Morice, try a different spot. I had trouble too.
[17:27] Selaras Partridge: There's an idea... then again, independent instructors may be independent because they don't want to associate...
[17:27] Carl Metropolitan: Did my message about checking with the Foundation For Rich Content (FFRC) come through?
[17:27] Selaras Partridge: Yes, I think so Carl. Perse, right?
[17:27] Carl Metropolitan: Right
[17:27] Shirley Marquez: I saw it, Carl
[17:27] Carl Metropolitan: I'm no longer actively involved, but they have money and want to fund good stuff
[17:27] Areyn Laurasia: Yes, Carl
[17:27] You: so did i
[17:27] Carl Metropolitan: Does anyone know what TeaZers plans are?
[17:28] You: well, its an idea, but we should definitly contact them about it.
[17:28] Morice Hofmann: I tried sitting down since I registered. lol. ._.
[17:28] You: Not the foggiest what teazers plans are, but they have an event tomorrow where they might announce something
[17:28] Carl Metropolitan: No
[17:28] Carl Metropolitan: That's TUi
[17:28] You: you can get the brochure from here.
[17:28] You: Oh yes
[17:28] Carl Metropolitan: Different organizations
[17:28] You: damn
[17:28] You: my bad
[17:29] You: Dont know about Teazers either.
[17:29] Benson Larsen: ?
[17:29] Areyn Laurasia: Whatever you decide, TUi is actively recruiting students.
[17:29] Carl Metropolitan: TUi and TeaZers are mortal enemies :)
[17:29] You: Yeah I keep forgetting that;P
[17:30] You: Well, I don't really have any other points to make. Does anybody else have a point to make?
[17:30] Benson Larsen: u look silly
[17:30] Selaras Partridge: Does anyone have any questions or ideas?
[17:30] Selaras Partridge: Maybe with all of us here, we can figure stuff out.
[17:30] Benson Larsen: twat
[17:31] You: That it then?
[17:31] Selaras Partridge: Thank you for organizing the meeting, Tyranor!
[17:31] Shirley Marquez: Thank you, Tyranor
[17:31] You: Bah, had to be done. The transcript will be online.
[17:32] Selaras Partridge: I commend your initiative to encourage good communication between everyone who cares about education (:
[17:32] You: And will be forwarded to jesse linden
[17:32] You: Thanks for coming
[17:32] Selaras Partridge: Sweet, thanks!
[17:32] Nana Matsukaze: TY Tyranus, great meeting
[17:32] You: I think we needed this done at some point:P
[17:32] Something Something: I guess I have a question about why the L$500 is psychologically so valuable to instructors, when it's really less than $US 2... in effect, instructors are already teaching for the love of it
[17:32] Bangorang Zeta: What do you instruct? :-)
[17:33] Nana Matsukaze: many teachers forfeit the payment already because of the paperwork involved
[17:33] Areyn Laurasia: It helps with the uploads...
[17:33] You: Lol yes, you have a point there. I guess a) to compensate for uploading textures and slides 2) its the principle
[17:33] Carl Metropolitan: It is not much for me, but--it does hit some people hard not having it.
[17:33] Morice Hofmann:
[17:33] Something Something: Me personally? I don't :) I'm just an observer here...
[17:33] Carl Metropolitan: Well--for some, it is the only money they make in SL
[17:33] You: Those are the mai nreasons really.
[17:34] Something Something: So people take the purist approach of never buying L$ on LindeX, I suppose, and not doing the mental conversion to US$... hmmmm...
[17:34] Morice Hofmann: I'm sitting. I'm satisfied.
[17:34] Nana Matsukaze: no
[17:34] M&S Advertising Vendor v5: manager Dynamo just took a copy of your advertising information from M&SLave.
[17:34] Carl Metropolitan: If you are on a basic account and don't have a lot of extra money, it makes a difference
[17:34] You: right. Any other questions?
[17:35] You: Right. Well I guess were done here. Thanks again for coming, and I hope all the instructors here keep teaching, stipend or no
[17:35] Shirley Marquez: it may be a bigger deal as SL becomes more international -- users in some countries have trouble buying L$
[17:35] Shirley Marquez: because they don't have any method of paying that LL will accept
[17:36] Carl Metropolitan: Thanks for the meeting.
[17:36] Carl Metropolitan: See you all later
[17:36] You: I need to leave and go post this. See you all around!
[17:36] Nana Matsukaze: Cheers, TY Tyranor
[17:36] Areyn Laurasia: Thank you.
[17:36] Nana Matsukaze: Bye everyone :)
[17:36] Something Something: Well, in summary, it seems that all the large education organizations have things figured out, and the independent instructors maybe don't, but they're not represented here so nobody knows :)



So, what does it mean you ask?  Hell, I don't know.  Frankly, it looks like removing the stipend has strengthened the instructor community instead of weakening it.  I doubt LL had anticipated it, but if they had, then my hat is off to them.

The Beginning

Hi there. Horrible way to start a blog, but there you go. I'm a horrible man. For those of you who don't know me, my Second Life name is Tyranor Horus, and like to teach within Second Life. I was lucky enough to be allowed to teach on Info Island, amongst such brilliant people as Eiseldora Reiseman, so got an amazing introduction to teaching in SL, whilst still being allowed far more independance than most Linden approved instructors got back in the day.
The reason I decided to create this blog is because, with a meeting on corporate sponsorship of classes today, I feel like that independance may be threated.
As of tomorrow, LL (Linden Labs) is abolishing the instructor stipend. So what? I hear you cry! Instructors will keep teaching, and band together in schools, as they always have. SL will go on.
After the meeting today, I'm not so sure. You see, NetG along with ASL is offering all instructors a rather tempting offer: teach your classes under the ASL banner, and you get paid. Apparently pretty damn good money at that. What the offer really is though, is this: teach ASL approved classes, as an ASL approved instructor, on ASL/NetG land, with NetG support, and we can pay you. Can an ASL instructor teach elsewhere and still receive his money? No, fraid not. Can he teach his own classes? Not if we don't approve them. Can other schools become NetG affiliates? Again, no. Sorry lad, but if were going to pay you to do things, your just going to have to do things OUR WAY.

Now frankly, in normal circumstances, I wouldn't mind. This is SL after all, haven and heaven for capitalism, and competition will of probably render this offer all but useless. Or will it? Its rather different this time around. It's not this offer which is scaring me, but the fact that its likely all sponsor offers in the future may be very much similar. And teaching without independant thought is all but pointless in my opinion.
I have managed to organise a meeting for instructors tomorrow at 5. Will let you people know how it goes.