WSU introduces virtual world

At a press conference held last Monday, Brett D. Atwood, an Assistant Professor of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication announced that Washington State University has launched their very own virtual world, also known as Second Life.


The three-dimensional replica of the WSU campus was designed by staff and students who work for The Center for Distance and Professional Education (CDPE). The replica of the campus contains recognizable features such as Bryan Hall Clock Tower, the CUB, and Glen Terrell Mall.

WSU is one of many universities across the country to expand their educational horizon. Other universities that have welcomed Second Life are Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford.
Atwood is one of the professors who plans on using the Second Life program for two classes in the fall.


At Wednesday's press conference Atwood talked about opportunities that Second Life will open for WSU.

“This first entry into virtual world space has an offering to expand our global audience and world,” said Atwood.


Second Life will allow professors to conduct lectures online using voice interaction, just like they would in a normal classroom setting. CDPE encourages the use of Second Life for professors at WSU.

“CDPE will be encouraging this program and trying to get other professors to implement it into their curriculum,” said Atwood.

Second Life will not only allow teachers to conduct lectures, but also for architecture students to create three-dimensional environments for projects. This program will be used by certain engineering and architecture programs at WSU.

A WSU graduate student, Heather L. McGeachy has already used the Second Life program to transform her real-life art into digital picture. Her art is part of the Master of Fine Art Thesis Exhibit, which can be viewed in the Second Life program. McGeachy’s art is called real existence.

Aside from the many perks, there have been two common criticisms of the Second Life program.
“This program next year will be very telling. It is very advanced so it may be hard for some to use it because it is so advanced. In fact one of the limitations of the Second Life program is that it will not run on student’s computers if they’re discount notebooks or older version laptops,“ said Atwood.


Atwood said the second criticism to the virtual world is there are elements within Second Life that involve adult role playing and sexual experiences. The sexual content has nothing to do with education, however it is available on Second Life and it has posed as somewhat of a concern.

Even though the criticisms pose threats to the success of WSU’s virtual environment, students show interest for the new way of learning.

Malia K. Suzui, a junior communication major said she hopes to see Second Life in the communication courses she will be taking in the fall.

“Second Life seems like a great educational opportunity, I am very interested to see how it works,” said Suzui.

Suzui’s focus in communication is public relations. She said she feels the Second Life program would be a vital asset for public relations.


“Launching Second Life was just another way of opening access to Washington State University,“ said CDPE Assistant Dean David Cillay.

Second Life will open doors for educational experiences as well as business opportunities for students at WSU.