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	<title>Nanoi School</title>
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	<link>http://www.nanoischool.net</link>
	<description>School, College, Education News</description>
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		<title>Continuing Adult Education is a Great way to Further Your Career</title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/continuing-adult-education-is-a-great-way-to-further-your-career/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/continuing-adult-education-is-a-great-way-to-further-your-career/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:02:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adult Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adult]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Continuing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Further]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Great]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/continuing-adult-education-is-a-great-way-to-further-your-career/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After high school, it often happens that people have to take a pass on attending college for a number of reasons. However, this does not mean that you cannot go back to college later &#8211; this is where Adult Education comes into play. Adult education is a boon for all those people who had dreams [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Adult-Education2.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-672" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Adult-Education2.jpeg" alt="" width="140" height="139" /></a>After high school, it often happens that people have to take a pass on attending college for a number of reasons. However, this does not mean that you cannot go back to college later &#8211; this is where Adult Education comes into play. Adult education is a boon for all those people who had dreams of studying in college, but did not get the chance to do so when they graduated from high school.</p>
<p>Adult education is available almost all around the world, so it&#8217;s no surprise you can find adult education courses in Washington DC. There is a number of adult education schools in Washington DC that will offer you innumerable and extremely flexible courses.</p>
<p>In adult education program in DC, you can take up a field in which you may already be working, or you can also start from scratch and take up a completely new alternate career field.Choosing your courseMake sure that you choose an adult education program in DC that suits your requirements.</p>
<p><span id="more-626"></span>You should carry out a thorough self-assessment and also consider your long range planning, before you commit your time and money on a course. Some Universities offer interest tests, self-analysis programs, career counseling, and the life management courses to help students decide which path is best for them.</p>
<p>Credit or Non-credit courseAdult education programs in DC usually come in two varieties, credit and non-credit. While in case of a credit course, you will be working towards an official degree. In the case of a non-credit course, you will not get a degree.</p>
<p>Decide upon what you want and check that the course that you are taking will provide what you&#8217;re looking for. The various kinds of adult education program in DCIn case of Adult Education, you are free to pursue any kind of course &#8211; be it Associate, Bachelor&#8217;s degree, a Masters, or Doctorate degrees.</p>
<p>Since adult educations programs are designed to be flexible, chances are you&#8217;ll have a number of choices. Courses are offered on nights, as well as in weekends. Often, workshops and seminars can be attended through the internet, thus making the whole process smoother for you.</p>
<p>Requirements for adult education coursesIf you are planning to join a non-credit seminar or workshop, you will only need to fulfill a few criteria. However, if you are trying to matriculate for a degree course, you should be able to fulfill a number of obligations beforehand.</p>
<p>A number of adult education schools in Washington DC require the student to have a high school diploma before they take any college level course-work. You should also be able to pay a non-refundable college course.</p>
<p>You will also have to prove that you are a citizen of the US and provide a copy of your birth certificate, before the enrollment can be completed. If you can meet these requirements then you&#8217;re ready to go!</p>
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		<title>How To Use Book Reviews To Market Your Business  </title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/how-to-use-book-reviews-to-market-your-business/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/how-to-use-book-reviews-to-market-your-business/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:53:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[market  ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/how-to-use-book-reviews-to-market-your-business/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Would you like to earn more money in your business? I guess that?s kind of a rhetorical question, but it?s something that I just had to ask you. You see most business owners want to make more money in their business, but they have no idea as to how to go about making it happen. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Book-Review.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-592" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Book-Review.jpeg" alt="" width="140" height="130" /></a>Would you like to earn more money in your business? I guess that?s kind of a rhetorical question, but it?s something that I just had to ask you. You see most business owners want to make more money in their business, but they have no idea as to how to go about making it happen.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that any business can be made more profitable. All it takes is some hard work and dedication, and profitable days are soon ahead. If you?ve been working hard in your business and aren?t seeing the sales that you had hoped for, then more than likely you?re wasting your time on ineffective marketing techniques &#8211; or are either doing the technique completely wrong.</p>
<p>Today, I want to show you a technique that can get you more repeat sales, and will get your customers to follow your recommendations. This technique is powerful in the world of internet marketing (particularly in the field of affiliate marketing), but it can also be used in the offline world also.</p>
<p><span id="more-571"></span>Let?s take a look at this marketing strategy:</p>
<p>- Book reviews</p>
<p>Book reviews are a great way to get a customer to learn something new. It doesn?t matter if you wrote the book, or if you?re simply recommending another book for them to read. You can get customers to really take your advice seriously &#8211; assuming of course, if the book is good.</p>
<p>Before recommending a book to your customer list, make sure you?ve bought and read the book also. You want to do this because when a customer asks you about a topic in the book, you know exactly what they?re talking about. And honestly? it?s best if you can offer the book review about a book that you wrote.</p>
<p>This will make you seem like the obvious person to do business with. You see there?s a concept called the ?obvious expert in your niche? that not alot of business owners know about. All this means is that prospects come to you, instead of you coming to them &#8211; because they feel like you?re the obvious person that they should be doing business with.</p>
<p>In your book review, make it seem like an honest review. Point out any flaws that the book has and be sure to highlight its attributes. If you have problems writing a book review, simply follow the templates of affiliate marketers online.</p>
<p>For example, to find someone doing a book review online, just go to google.com and type in ?affiliate marketing review?. You will see alot of review-pages showing up in google, and you will want to study the style of these reviews. After you have gotten the gist of how you should create your review, it?s time to start putting what you learned into action.</p>
<p>Get started writing your book review and when you?re doing, put it up on your website and also mail it out to your customers &#8211; with an included package insert that sells more of your services.</p>
<p>Book reviews are a great way to get a customer to trust you. Just make sure that the book is worthwhile, and that your customers will get the most out of it.</p>
<p><strong>Good luck with using book reviews to make more money in your business.</strong></p>
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		<title>Selecting the Best Online Degree Programs  </title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/selecting-the-best-online-degree-programs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/selecting-the-best-online-degree-programs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:55:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Degree Program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Best]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Degree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Programs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Selecting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/selecting-the-best-online-degree-programs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The growth of the World Wide Web has brought about a revolution by the name of online education, by which students can earn their degrees online. There are thousands of colleges offering online degree programs at various online degree levels and subject from master&#8217;s degree in mathematics to advanced degrees in business administration. For selecting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree-Programs.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-597" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree-Programs.jpeg" alt="" width="140" height="140" /></a>The growth of the World Wide Web has brought about a revolution by the name of online education, by which students can earn their degrees online. There are thousands of colleges offering online degree programs at various online degree levels and subject from master&#8217;s degree in mathematics to advanced degrees in business administration.</p>
<p>For selecting the best online degree program you first need to locate the best institute for yourself that guarantees to provide you with a rigorous course as well as an accredited degree. It is not easy to select the right kind of online degree program for your online education because of the vast number of online colleges and universities offering online degree programs.</p>
<p>Acquiring an Online DegreeIn general, there are two kinds of institutions from where you can earn an online degree. First and foremost are the colleges and universities with physical campuses. Colleges and universities that offer on-campus education have a separate department for online studies. The best part about these colleges and universities is that they normally possess highly qualified faculty members. In addition, they are particularly good in terms of infrastructure.</p>
<p><span id="more-569"></span>You can also earn an online degree from institutions that only offer online education. The most important thing to note about these institutions is that they tend to focus more on providing single courses rather than degree programs. As compared to colleges and universities with physical campuses, fees structure in online-only institutions is quite low. So, if you are struggling financially, online-only institutions are the way to go.</p>
<p>In both of these cases, may you pick a college or university that offers on-campus studies or a solely online institution; you need to make sure that the chosen institution is accredited. If your chosen online college or university is not accredited than the degree you acquire would be nothing but a piece of paper as it would not be accepted by employers or even other institutions if you plan on studying further on.</p>
<p>What to Look Out For When Selecting Best Online Degree Programs</p>
<p>Once again, the acquisition of the best online degree program comes down to the issues of your chosen institute being accredited or not. When you attain an online degree from an accredited university, your chances of getting a good job in a well-reputed organization increase. In addition, you can also use this online degree in earning an advanced degree.</p>
<p>When selecting the best online degree programs, it is of paramount importance that you check the reputation of the program in the market. When the program is well received in the market, your chances of getting a well-paid job increase. However, if that is not the case you will struggle in finding a job after earning your degree.</p>
<p>Another important thing that you must take note of is the kind of study material you are going to acquire from your university. As you are not going to attend classroom lectures, study material is going to play a very important part in your studies. If the study material is not up to the mark, your study is going to suffer.</p>
<p>Before enrolling in any online degree program, make sure that you check the quality of study material in advance. Most of the reputed universities acquire assistance from experts in preparing the study material rather than faculty members of the university.</p>
<p>Fee structure is also quite an important factor in the selection of the best online degree program in any online degree subject. It does not by anyway mean that they are providing the best online degree programs if the university is charging you a huge amount of fees. You may be surprised to know that universities offering the best online degree programs normally charge less fees as compared to universities charging high tuition rates.</p>
<p>Several factors need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the online degree program you choose is the best for you and meets all of your academic as well as professional needs. In any of these needs are left ignored, then the acquisition of such an online degree would be nothing but a waste of time and money.</p>
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		<title>Obtaining an Online Degree in Education  </title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/obtaining-an-online-degree-in-education/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/obtaining-an-online-degree-in-education/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:22:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Degree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Degree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obtaining]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/obtaining-an-online-degree-in-education/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It really is never far too late to live out your dreams of learning to be a teacher, and the simplest way to do this is by taking your education bachelors degree online. Today with engineering provided by the internet now it is possible for anyone to get back to school and enhance their skills [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-601" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree.jpeg" alt="" width="140" height="134" /></a>It really is never far too late to live out your dreams of learning to be a teacher, and the simplest way to do this is by taking your education bachelors degree online. Today with engineering provided by the internet now it is possible for anyone to get back to school and enhance their skills and profession options.</p>
<p>Many people dream about becoming a teacher as well as whatever reason weren&#8217;t able to do so. However, today you&#8217;ll be able to study part time and also earn different types of training degrees including a good elementary education degree online.</p>
<p>Studying for an education degree online is starting to become increasingly popular for a number of motives. Convenience just has to be at at the top of the list. Affordability&#8211;Getting any teaching degree online is so much cheaper than looking to attend a university in person.</p>
<p><span id="more-568"></span> Plus of course there is no need to relocate and discover a new place to live.You can actually keep your current job and study part time.Nearly all degrees can be obtained in around two years while using possibility of taking accelerated courses if you want to speed up the progress of your learning experience.</p>
<p>When you choose to take a training degree online you still have the opportunity to interact with other students within your electronic classroom. Many online teacher training programs still have group conversations as well as individual conversations with your teachers.</p>
<p>There are numerous types of degrees that one could take online and for example getting an education pros degree online as well as your education bachelors degree online. Your opportunities and choices endless!</p>
<p>A master&#8217;s degree provides the student which has a more in depth training than the usual bachelor&#8217;s degree, which you need to hold first anyhow. You will then have to commit to at least 3 or 4 years of studying in one selected field. If you did this at a regular university you would be investing up to 6 years in school!All of this researching will eventually pay off as statistics show that those that have a master&#8217;s degree earn at least 00 more every year than someone having a bachelor&#8217;s degree does. Who doesn&#8217;t want to end up getting more money?</p>
<p>You can still submit an application for financial aid when researching for your education degree online. You may even be capable of getting your tuition reimbursed from your current workplace. There are also many State and federal loans that you can submit an application for. Because financial aid is a bit more available both men and women are discovering it possible for you to earn their Master&#8217;s degree in education online.</p>
<p>One thing you need to be mindful of when looking for where to get the teaching degree online is that many schools or even universities have not been certified to hand out education and learning degrees. This means that all of your hard work will result in you having a worthless diploma! So take the time to study not just the program but also about the accreditation of the university itself.</p>
<p>Completing an Education Degree Online Takes Homework. Long distance or on-line education is now recognized by large businesses and having them by studying on the internet may stand out on your cv.Having gained the education bachelor degree online will make you jump out amongst other possible candidates for any new job. The prospective employer provides you with merit for your determination and effort for taking an online degree course within your spare time.</p>
<p>Many people make the mistake of believing that an online course is actually easier than likely to school in person. Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth! Any type of teaching degree on-line has stringent guidelines and expectations. Your own workload is exactly the just like the traditional student&#8217;s and you still get homework assignments and also exams to take.</p>
<p>A few education degrees on-line require that you take the actual exams at a local college to be proctored by someone with authority. Your educational institution will provide you with a list of approved colleges in your area to take your exam at.Then you just visit one and also take your examination on the required morning.</p>
<p>Ensure That You Have Completed Precondition Courses Before Signing up. Online colleges and universities have prerequisites that you must complete before one can even apply for virtually any degree program. When there are several courses that you are missing, you must decide if you are prepared to do this extra work first. The long term benefits will be huge but of course, this will put several months to your learning schedule.</p>
<p>A great starting point looking for degree courses is to use the internet and also do a search for certified schools and educational institutions. Remember you can study with any school all over the world, as long as your diploma will be recognized in your neighborhood that you will be looking for career.When doing your search, thin the field down to this type of degree that you want to to pursue. This could be an elementary education degree online or even your secondary or special education bachelors degree online.</p>
<p>If you are planning on taking more than one course it could be a great idea if you can take t all from the exact same school or college so that you don&#8217;t have any issues with transferring credits. When looking at school expenses remember that these price ranges normally don&#8217;t include additional like text textbooks or even certain software programs.</p>
<p>You will want to take most of these costs into consideration just before committing to any course.When there is a time component to consider, you must be certain that you&#8217;ve got enough time to complete the education degree online. There is no point starting something where immediately you discover that you can&#8217;t handle the work.</p>
<p>Even though obtaining a teaching degree online} can be finished in two years, 2 years is still quite a while and many unexpected items can come up. Take the time to really consider every one of the possible scenarios that could creep into your lifestyle. Then once you have the plans in place it truly is time to take the plunge and initiate studying online.</p>
<p>Just remember that it is really never too late to get your education degree online. Yes, it will even take you more than you had hoped, but you&#8217;re preparing yourself for a much better future. The initiatives you put in today in obtaining your education degree online will return as rewards more often than not over.</p>
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		<title>Education &#8211; The Future of an Online Degree  </title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/education-the-future-of-an-online-degree/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/education-the-future-of-an-online-degree/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:43:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Degree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Degree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Future]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/02/education-the-future-of-an-online-degree/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[No one in this world can predict the future of an individual although hard work and sheer focus on the target wonders wonders many. Many students have this query in their mind that what is the Future of an Degree Online? Well many students have doubt on this. It has been noticed that many students [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree2.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-604" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Online-Degree2.jpeg" alt="" width="130" height="149" /></a>No one in this world can predict the future of an individual although hard work and sheer focus on the target wonders wonders many. Many students have this query in their mind that what is the Future of an Degree Online? Well many students have doubt on this. It has been noticed that many students have doubts about the credibility of online college degree. Some of the common queries about online degree courses:</p>
<p><strong>Recognization in the organizations -</strong> These online degrees are recognized by the noted corporate and industries. As far as these online degrees are accredited by the recognized bodies these online education degree has a huge demand in the industry.<strong>Specialization offered -</strong> Specialization in various major are offered under this program.</p>
<p>Although any Degree or Diploma that deals with the human anatomy is not offered by any online body because it requires a core practical skill. Apart from it almost every degree, diploma, masters and PhD degrees online are offered in various specializations.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><span id="more-567"></span>Regular admission -</strong> It is often asked by the students if they can take a regular admission in a renowned college if the have completed their education via online mode. The answer is &#8220;YES&#8221;. If you have completed your university online degree from an accredited institute that is affiliated from the recognized body you can opt for a regular admission in any of the college.<strong>Career Boast via Online Education -</strong>If you are a working employee and want tremendous growth in your career online degree promises you an excellent opportunity to do so.</p>
<p>If you are working in any relevant field and your organization hierarchy offers the higher position to some one having an advance degree. Online provides you an excellent opportunity to earn your degree.</p>
<p>Different Educational programs and their future prospects</p>
<p><strong>Bachelor&#8217;s in Criminal Justice -</strong> It is one of the few careers that promise an instant career growth. It is usually pursued by the legal professionals, police persons or social science graduates. This degree is primarily focuses on the criminal psychology and the new mode of investigation methodology at the crime scene. It includes forensic technology and legal procedures against the unwanted elements.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Bachelors in Computers and ITs -</strong> It offers a wide range of topics such as software technology, network system and IT infrastructure. It is exceptionally designed for an IT companies.<strong>Bachelors in Business Management -</strong> It provide a basic knowledge of management studies. It covers a wide range of subjects such as accounting, finance, project management, industrial alliance and administration. Almost every finance institutions are looking for the management graduates.<strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Masters Degree in Arts and Humanities -</strong> This degree focuses primarily on majors as history, civics, geography, economics and literature. It is opted by those having an urge of doing creative work.<strong>Masters in Paralegal Profession -</strong> These professionals work under the legal professionals. Their main function is to help the legal professionals in their judicial work.<strong>PhD in Science -</strong>This research program in Science gives a great career opportunity to the professional who wants to make a career in research and development. It has a huge demand in organizations dealing with technology.</p>
<p>So, it is clear that the Future of an Online Degree is bright for the aspiring students who want to join the band wagon. It provides them a great opportunity to grow.</p>
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		<title>Virtual Reality Medical Education in Second Life  </title>
		<link>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/01/virtual-reality-medical-education-in-second-life/</link>
		<comments>http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/01/virtual-reality-medical-education-in-second-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:21:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>writer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education World]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Life  ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Second]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Virtual]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.nanoischool.net/2012/01/virtual-reality-medical-education-in-second-life/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Increasing numbers of people are using the Internet for the provision of all sorts of health services, from prescribing, through consulting to setting up automated self-treatment programs. But what about using it for education and therapy? After all, in theory, the ultimate form of cognitive behavioral therapy should be &#8220;virtual reality therapy.&#8221; By simply wearing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Medical-Education.jpeg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-608" src="http://www.nanoischool.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Medical-Education.jpeg" alt="" width="130" height="158" /></a>Increasing numbers of people are using the Internet for the provision of all sorts of health services, from prescribing, through consulting to setting up automated self-treatment programs. But what about using it for education and therapy? After all, in theory, the ultimate form of cognitive behavioral therapy should be &#8220;virtual reality therapy.&#8221;</p>
<p>By simply wearing your wrap-around sound and vision multimedia headset you can be instantly transported to a cliff edge, soar in a plane thousands of feet above the ground or be surrounded by a gathering of thousands of spiders &#8211; depending on your phobia. And the ultimate form of online education should be fully interactive, case based and student driven, all of which I now use in my teaching in Second Life.</p>
<p>The phrase &#8220;virtual reality&#8221; was coined by Jaron Lanier in 1989 to describe computer simulations of physical environments. Since the mid-1990s, the video game industry and 3D graphics card manufacturers have driven forward the state of personal computer graphics, advancing it far beyond the needs of most business users.</p>
<p><span id="more-565"></span>These systems range in capability from simple displays of 3D objects to entire virtual cities. Virtual reality systems are now being routinely implemented on personal computers for a variety of activities. One of the most popular virtual reality programs is Second Life, produced by Linden Lab, Inc. Second Life is a general-purpose virtual world accessible through any Internet-connected personal computer.</p>
<p>In order to interact in Second Life, users create &#8220;avatars&#8221;, or animated characters, to represent themselves. Individuals use these avatars to maneuver through various &#8220;worlds&#8221;, complete with buildings, geographical features, and other avatars.</p>
<p>While the system borrows heavily from video game technology, it is not a game &#8211; there are no points, no levels, no missions, and nothing to win. It is simply a platform by which people can create virtual communities, model geological, meteorological, or behavioral phenomena, or rehearse events. I have been working in Second Life for several years now.</p>
<p>Users of Second Life include a variety of education organizations, from Harvard Law School to the American Cancer Society. There are currently areas of the virtual world that provide such disparate services as teaching heart sounds and auscultation technique, providing social support for individuals with Asperger&#8217;s Syndrome, and modeling the effects of tsunami on coastal towns.</p>
<p>The system has over 10 million account holders from all over the world, most of them with free basic accounts. Approximately 800,000 of those users are active, with over 80,000 of them connected to the system at any time. Virtual reality programs such as Second Life are increasingly being used for educational purposes in a variety of fields, including medical training and disaster preparedness.</p>
<p>Linden Lab currently operates the Second Life Education Wiki which functions as a source of information for educators and trainers in a variety of fields who wish to use Second Life for distance learning or large-scale training purposes.</p>
<p>A number of government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation, have begun using Second Life to hold meetings, conduct training sessions, and explore ways to make access to information more readily available around the world.</p>
<p>A recent comprehensive survey intended to gather information on the activities, attitudes, and interests of educators active in Second Life conducted by New Media Consortium reported that the majority used it for educational purposes such as teaching and taking classes as well as for faculty training and development.</p>
<p>I have been using Second Life as a teaching and learning environment for several years now. With colleagues I have created a &#8220;virtual hallucinations&#8221; environment, which demonstrates the lived experience of psychosis and allows participants who travel through the environment to experience both visual and auditory hallucinations; visions and voices.</p>
<p>We used this environment to teach this experience to our medical and psychology students. With the California Department of Health and other colleagues I have created a virtual bioterrorism crisis clinic to train health workers, and more recently, as part of our Health Informatics Certificate Program, with University of California Davis Extension, we have taught informatics students in a virtual conference center on our own private island; Davis Island.</p>
<p>Students find the environment straightforward to learn to navigate, and within a week of our informatics students being introduced to the environment they were able to travel and tour around Second Life with the rest of us with ease.</p>
<p>Second Life and similar multi-user environments offer enormous possibilities in the medical educational world, where such applications are now called &#8220;serious games&#8221; rather than social or fun software. Students of the future will adapt to them very easily, and it is clear that applications such as Second Life have a great educational future before them. I look forward to continuing to teach classes of medical and graduate students &#8220;inworld&#8221;.</p>
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