VWBPE 2024 Conference MYTHIC ORIGINS 14 - 16 March 2024 in Second Life®

The 17th annual Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference, beginning on Thursday, March 14th, 2024, will be an online distributed conference happening in multiple virtual spaces. This conference focuses on the use of immersive virtual environments for educational purposes including virtual and augmented reality. 

This year we are returning to our Earth build. Each region represents a different terrestrial biome, including wetlands, desert, badlands, grasslands, and forests. Conference attendees will be among the first to be able to explore!

To the best ability possible, VWBPE provides educational and networking opportunities that are relevant to educational curriculum development utilizing virtual environments and “best practices”. These include

helping to build community through extension of learning best practices to practical application of those ideas and techniques;

providing networking opportunities for educators and the communities that help support education; and

providing access to current innovations, trends, ideas, case studies, and other best practices for educators and the communities that help support education

One of the key challenges faced by the educational community is how to make the best use of new immersive technologies in a way that is sustainable and accessible based on limited budgets available to both instructors and students. Platforms that are free or open source, or that can be shared across a broad audience are showcased, including methods and research around best practices in their use and applicability.

Our theme for this year is Mythic Origins.

Mythic stories can provide a way to engage students in critical thinking and analysis, as well as developing their creativity and imagination. Mythic origins can provide students with a deeper understanding of their own cultural heritage and how it has evolved over time. It allows us to explore the origins of our socially constructed myths and legends that have inspired educators and their various works.

Join us as we all share experiences and successes in how virtual technologies used in the classroom have helped shape education for the better.

This year's keynote speakers are Wagner James Au and Dr. Nellie Deutsch. Invited speakers include representatives from Linden Lab, and the 2020 Thinkerer - Renne Emiko Brock. 

The VWBPE conference keynote speakers and their respective presentations are featured on the conference website (http://vwbpe.org), along with a program of exciting presentations, social activities, and networking events that will set extraordinary discussions in motion.  

The VWBPE Immersive Experiences showcase unique and interesting work being conducted across the metaverse. We invite you to join us as we explore eleven interactive and engaging locations across five virtual environments. The Immersive Experiences are scheduled from March 9th through 31st (exclusive of the conference dates). Details and access instructions for the experiences are found at https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe24-program.   

Additionally, this open and free conference would not be possible without the generous contributions of our VWBPE sponsors. https://www.vwbpe.org/vwbpe-2024-sponsors  

The Rockcliffe Registration Portal is open for people to register new Second Life® avatars and find out more about the VWBPE conference in-world. Go to https://www.enroll.onl/secondlife.php . The instructions are there to get you and your friends started at this educator-friendly newcomers’ region in Second Life®.

The full conference program is online here: https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe24-program. 

You can also view presentations live on YouTube at http://vwbpe.org/watch. 

All of the conference events will be in Second Life® this year, and the locations are included in the listings. When you click on a conference event and click Add to Calendar, you can add the event to your own calendar (Google and more).

NOTE: Daylight Savings Time

In most of the United States and Canada, Daylight Savings Time is in effect as of 10 March 2024. In Europe, Great Britain, and many other locations, DST is in effect as of 31 March, 2024, after the conference ends. Check this page to find out when (and if) a time change is in effect for you: https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2024.html.

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**VWBPE 2024 GATEWAY**

SLurl: 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VWBPE%20Grasslands%20Gateway/128/123/23 

**VWBPE 2024 SOCIAL VISITOR CENTER** http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VWBPE%20Wetlands%20Marsh/175/158/21 

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**KEYNOTES**

https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe-2024-keynotes-invited-speakers  

KEYNOTE: “Mythic Origins of Metaverse Myths”

Wagner James Au / Hamlet Au

Author

Thursday 14 March 2024 

4:00 pm SLT @ VWBPE Auditorium

KEYNOTE: "The Hero's Journey of Learning Transformation in the Digital Age"

Nellie Deutsch (Ed.D) / Nellie Homewood

Co-Chair of TESOL CALL-IS and Instructor, International Hellenic University

Friday 15 March 2024

9:00 am SLT @ VWBPE Auditorium

**INVITED SPEAKERS**

https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe-2024-keynotes-invited-speakers 

ABOVE THE BOOK: What's up at the Lab?

Host: Kevin Feenan / Phelan Corrimal

Guests: Grumpity Linden, VP of Product 

Thursday 14 March 2024

12 noon SLT @ VWBPE Auditorium

ABOVE THE BOOK: Catching up with the Thinkerers

Renne Emiko Brock / Zinnia Zauber

VWBPE 2020 Thinkerer

Saturday 16 March 2024

3:00 pm SLT @ VWBPE Auditorium

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**WEB PAGES**

Conference Information: http://vwbpe.org  

Program: https://www.vwbpe.org/conference/vwbpe24-program  

Registration: http://vwb.pe/register   

Sponsors: https://www.vwbpe.org/vwbpe-2024-sponsors  

Rockcliffe Gateway to Second Life®: https://www.enroll.onl/secondlife.php   

Watch VWBPE Livestream: https://www.vwbpe.org/watch

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**SOCIAL MEDIA**

Second Life® Group

secondlife:///app/group/8b03480a-793d-ba5b-5b6b-dd10afb5d38e/about

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/vwbpe 

Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vwbpe_org/ 

LinkedIn

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/3754644/ 

Twitter

http://twitter.com/vwbpe 

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/VWBPE 

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**MAJOR SPONSORS**

Linden Lab

https://www.lindenlab.com/  

Rockcliffe University Consortium

https://urockcliffe.com/  

Hire A Helper

https://www.hireahelper.com 

Porch.com

https://porch.com 

Knomaze Corporation

https://knomaze.com/ 

Virtual Ability

https://virtualability.org/  

Agile Dimensions

https://www.agiledimensions.com/blog/ 

Journal of Virtual Studies

https://jovs.urockcliffe.press/  

Whole Brain Health

https://www.agelessmindproject.org/  

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**CONTACT**

Beth Ghostraven

VWBPE Communications Chair

marketing@vwbpe.com 

 

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Starting Your Own Retail Business

 If you are thinking of trying to start up a new business, and you are unsure of which kind you might want to go for, you do of course have a lot of options available to you. One which can be especially worthwhile is to start up a retail business, which can be an incredibly effective way to make some money and grow your career. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the things that you will need to bear in mind when it comes to starting your own retail business, so let’s take a look at these right now.

Image Credit - CCO License

Figure Out Your Angle

First things first, you will need to figure out what angle you are going to be using when it comes to starting up your retail business. This is important, because it means that you are going to actually have a much better time at knowing what you are doing, and you can probably get a lot more excited for the whole process too. All in all, this is something that you are going to want to think about, so it’s vital that you are aware of what angle is probably best for you to follow along with.

Online Or Offline?

You can of course do both, but most people will find that it’s best to first decide on either running an online store or having an offline, physical branch of a shop. In either way, there are going to be things you can do to help ensure its success, but it is something that will make a huge difference to how you are going to run the business, so that is really going to help you a lot here. Make sure that you are doing all you can to run your business well whether you do it online or offline.

Image Credit  - CCO License

Set Up Essentials

There are also a lot of essential things that you are going to need to set up in order to be able to run your business effectively. Many of these will have to be researched quite thoroughly so that you can then ensure you have the best option overall. As long as you do that, you should find that you are going to have a much better chance of enjoying the process too. From merchandising to your point of sale system, it’s vital that you have set all this up as early as possible.

Be Careful With Location

You have to think very carefully about the location of your store, and make sure that you are choosing well, as this is going to make a huge difference to how you run your retail business, and a lot of other factors that you will need to be aware of in general too. As long as you find the right location, you’ll be a lot more likely to actually enjoy it for what it is and to make a success of it too.

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Kinetics Dance - Beware the Ides of March!

 

Hey you, Brutus! Mark your calendars and brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience as Kinetics Dance proudly presents our upcoming shows in March. This promises to be a bounty of entertainment and artistic brilliance, showcasing the power of dance to tell stories and evoke powerful emotions. Whether you are a seasoned dance enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of performance art, our March shows are designed to captivate and leave a lasting impression. Save the date, and join us for an evening and afternoon that transcends time, blending history, drama, and the artistry of dance. We look forward to sharing this thrilling experience with you. NB: Please credit Kinetics Dance if you use any of this notecard in your announcements or notices of any kind. Thank you.

🌟 Premiere Show Date: March 6, 2024 🕗 Time: 6 p.m. slt 🌟 Matinee Show Date: March 10, 2024 🕗 Time: 9 a.m. slt 🌟 Trunk Show Date: March 20, 2024 🕗 Time: 6 p.m. slt 📍 Venue: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fantasies%20Island/88/60/1001

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EROTIQUE BURLESQUE Come see CULTURAL FUSION! this Friday March 8/2024 at 7:15pm slt.

 

Erotique Burlesque brings the tantalizing flavors and aromas, celebrating how culture has melted and fused to create new, beautiful traditions. Come see the beauty of colours, dances and our exotic beauties this Friday March 8/2024 at 7:15pm slt.

THEME: CULTURAL FUSION!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/French%20Soleil/117/135/28

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Creative Ways to Use Custom Messenger Bags in Brand Promotion

 

 

A frequently underestimated, but extremely effective tool for promoting any business is the custom messenger bag. These versatile accessories are a unique marketing tool for showcasing the core values of your organization while meeting the user’s needs.

 

Custom messenger bags can dramatically boost your brand visibility and leave a lasting impression on prospective clients, regardless of whether they are utilized solely for events or daily use. In this article, we discuss some innovative methods of using messenger bags to promote your brand.

Reasons to choose custom messenger bags for brand promotion

Here are some benefits of using the bags for brand promotion:

·         They are Multifaceted – messenger bags are powerful marketing tools that are far more than basic accessories. They act as a mobile billboard for your company, enabling lots of possibilities for branding. Seeing your branding on the bags ensures that your business is at the forefront of consumers' minds wherever they go, whether it is by attractive logo, unique expression, or appealing design.

·         They are Spacious – Custom messenger bags offer lots of space to brand your logo and message compared to other promotional items that have limited space. This greater exposure ensures that, whether the bag is carried through a busy city street or at an event, consumers will see your brand.

·         They are Customizable – Being able to design your own custom messenger bags is one of their greatest advantages. Customization allows you to develop a unique promotional item that reflects your company's character. From choosing the colour scheme to choosing the material and adding unique characteristics like pockets or compartments it will be a unique item.

Ways to use custom messenger bags to promote your brand

Here are some ways custom messenger bags can be used to promote your brand;

To build brand awareness

These bags are effective tools to promote brand awareness. Offering them to partners, employees, or clients turns them into brand ambassadors who inadvertently promote information about your business everywhere they go. These bags function as persistent brand advocates when travelling, running errands, or commuting to work. This fosters excellent word-of-mouth advertising and progressively expands the business's audience.

To give out as gifts during events

It's an excellent idea to give away custom messenger bags during events. Personalized messenger bags are a great way to attract attention to your booth and leave a lasting impression on attendees at a trade show, conference, or community event. These bags increase the public awareness of your company as they are carried throughout the event venue and beyond.

To complement other marketing strategies

Employing custom messenger bags in your advertising strategy can have a big impact. With these bags, your message can reach your target audience directly, whether you are launching a new product, for the announcement of a sale, or just creating brand awareness. You can boost your marketing efforts and raise brand engagement by thoughtfully distributing them to relevant groups.

 

To give out to staff and customers

Customized messenger bags also serve as thoughtful and practical gifts for customers, employees, or prospective clients. When compared to typical giveaways that are often forgotten about or disposed of, custom messenger bags are very useful and valued by those who receive them. Offering branded bags as presents not only expresses appreciation but also strengthens relationships with clients and increases brand loyalty.

 

To help in fundraising drives
You can use custom messenger bags to raise money for non-profits or local projects. Selling branded bags or giving them as rewards for donations is a method to raise awareness of your cause and earn revenue.

Conclusion

 

Custom messenger bags are a unique and effective strategy to market your business. Because of their space, adaptability, and versatility, these bags are useful marketing tools that leave an impact on your target market.

Whether they serve as gifts, giveaways, brand awareness, marketing materials, or fundraising products, these bags have endless possibilities to broaden your brand and reach new consumers. Embrace the versatility of custom messenger bags and appreciate their entire potential for promotional purposes.

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Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Tips for Responsible Credit Card Payments

 

Image Credit: Pixabay / Pexels

Credit cards have become a way to manage money worldwide. They provide convenience for buying things and making travel plans. However it's important to be responsible when using credit cards to avoid issues. This blog will share advice on how you can responsibly use your credit card. 

Understanding Credit Card Payments

Let's start by exploring the basics before we delve into the advice. Unraveling the mechanics behind credit card payments. Whenever you use a credit card to buy something you're essentially taking out a loan from the company that issued the card. It's important to repay what you've borrowed alongside any interest and charges by the deadline specified on your bill. If you miss these payments it can lead to fines and harm your credit rating.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

One major mistake many people make is only making the minimum payment required each month. While it might seem like a choice it can lead to a cycle of debt due to high interest rates. Another common error is missing payment deadlines which can result in late fees that’ll harm your credit score. It's crucial to pay off your credit card bill in full and on schedule every month to avoid these pitfalls. Also if you take credit cards over the phone make sure the transaction is secure to safeguard your data.

Tips for Responsible Credit Card Payments

Now that we've pinpointed some mistakes let's delve into these tips on how you can responsibly use your credit cards.

• Create a budget and stick to it: This is a challenge for most people since it’s very easy to lose track of your spending once you don’t have a budget. Knowing how much you can afford to spend each month will help you avoid overspending and accumulating so much debt.

• Set up automatic payments: You might want to think about arranging payments for your credit card bill to make sure you never forget a payment. This way you can also steer clear of incurring fees in addition to the interest. 

• Pay more than the minimum balance: Many credit card users often make the mistake of paying the minimum amount each month without realizing that the remaining balance will gather interest leading to a larger debt than originally planned. On the hand if you pay more than the minimum required you can lower the interest paid over time and clear your debt sooner.

• Keep track of due dates and balances: It's a good move to stay on top of your credit card dates and statement balances to steer clear of missing payments and facing late fees. It can also help boost your credit score if you consistently make timely payments. 

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Monitoring Your Credit Card Payments

It's important to check your credit card statements for mistakes and unauthorized transactions. If you spot any errors make sure to notify your credit card company. Being watchful can prevent fraud and guarantee that your credit card bills are correct and timely.

Conclusion

Although credit card is an effective tool to manage money it has to be used responsibly. Like drinking alcohol you can’t consume more than you can take. In other words you can’t spend what you can’t afford. So follow these steps so you can keep safe your financial status and credit score.

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Blue Ridge Country moved as of March 1st, 2024!

Blue Ridge Country music club, established in September 2023 moved onto a full, moderate region and larger club building. The club focuses on new and classic country music played by some of the most entertaining DJs in second life, Sunday through Friday, and a full day of Rock, new and classic, on Saturday on a massive lake dock.

  The concept for Blue Ridge Country began years ago by owner Hannock Evergarden well before even becoming a DJ. Hannock set out to learn everything he could about club operations. After DJ’ing at various clubs and becoming part owner of another well-established country music club and learning the day-to-day operations as well as managing staff, he observed what works and what does not and incorporated that knowledge into managing Blue Ridge Country. 

  When the ideal of creating a club began to take form it was decided to begin small and build bigger if it became successful. The original club building was nothing more than a horse stable on ¼ region and the name for the club had not yet been decided and went through several concepts and ideas.  Blue Ridge Country and its theme is based on the Appalachian mountains which is close by and familiar to Hannock’s hometown, so it was decided to go with what he knows.  Once the concept began to take form it became obvious that if the club was going to have any chance of success, it was going to have to be larger and increased the area to ½ region. Plans were made for stores and trails with wildlife and scenic views as a dock for outside music sets. The club building was replaced with a mountain lodge large enough to accommodate several dozen with an area for games upstairs. 

  A deciding factor for choosing the Blue Ridge concept is because it was different from the typical, western, cowboy type country music club. The entire club was built by Hannock and his wife Lola, soon after they were joined by Ange, hired as the club's general manager.

  On September 1st, 2023, Blue Ridge Country opened to the public with only 7 DJ’s and 7 hosts. Within 6 weeks the club employed 25 DJ’s and 24 hosts.  Only 3 music sets per day were scheduled initially but eventually increased to 4 per day and 8 sets all day on Saturday’s. The club group members swelled to 200 by the end of the year. Plans were already in the works to move and enlarge the club and the owners went to work on a new club building. After trying several other designs, it was decided to expand and modify the current building. After the first of the year a full region was purchased, and work began on building the new club. The club is also going to be situated in a moderate rated region so as to be more family friendly.  With the combined efforts of the club owners, Hannock & Lola as well as general managers, Ange & Myth, the new club, and region was completed in 6 weeks and on March 1st,2024, it became operational. 

 Boasting beautiful views and mountain scenery adjoining a sim wide open water area. It includes a horse rezzer and extensive trails to ride them, a boat dock with bumper boats, kayaks, paddle boats, canoes and even jet skis. Beautiful waterfalls and a cave to explore.  Anyone can climb into the eagle's nest tree house that comes complete with cuddle areas, a relaxing bungalow, fantastic views of the region, complete with climbing ropes and a zip line. There is a romantic ranger tower nestled in the corner that looks fantastic in the midnight setting. 

  Themed events and contests will be occasionally scheduled. A full sim wide racetrack, with rezzable cars, motorcycles and hovercars is available above on a skybox.

Blue Ridge Country not only wants to be your music club but also a place where you can feel at home, build friendships, and not worry about judgements or drama. Future plans include scheduling live singers and concerts. Increasing music sets all day every day from 6AM to 10PM. Involvement in special causes and events.

We invite everyone to visit us and explore. The staff of Blue Ridge Country are the friendliest you will find in second life and will be more than happy to welcome you and include you in the Blue Ridge family.

TELEPORT NOW

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/lohana/60/139/26

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Kick up those boots and dance! -Awesome Country Music Venues in Second Life -Hazel Silvermoon reporting…

Sunday is always a relaxing day for me, and exploring music in Second Life is always new and exciting. It really is one of the best ways to spend the evening, and I did just that. I traveled around to seek out some of the best Country music venues I could find, and as usual, the grid did not disappoint. So grab your hat, put on your finest pair of boots, and get ready to hit the dance floor!

Jared’s Wildcat Country 

I started off strong at Jared’s Wildcat Country. The music was great, and the DJ played a  wide variety of Country hits, as well as a mix of songs that aren’t heard on the radio normally. I love this because it gives us a chance to hear songs we may not have heard otherwise! The atmosphere was really friendly, and I felt like family! It really is a great place to dance the night away!

Jared’s Wildcat Country: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wildcat%20Country/186/128/26

Kickin Boots

My second stop was Kickin Boots. Located inside a large red barn, it really gives off that country vibe. I was greeted immediately upon entering the sim, and everyone was warm and friendly. The music was upbeat and really made you want to get out there and shake it! (Which is exactly what I did!) I would definitely give this venue a 10/10 . It is a great place for a party! I especially loved the DJ at this Club, because he was funny, and kind , and greeted us all on voice, which is rare, but it really makes you feel special!

Kickin Boots: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kickin%20Boots/104/59/3893

Tennessee Whiskey Country Club

I have to say that if I could pick a favorite of the night, Tennessee Whiskey Country Club would take that spot. Not only was the vibe very relaxed, they played some of my favorite Country tunes. I am a fan of  90’s country, and I got to hear some really amazing music here. It brought me back to my childhood and gave me that nostalgic feeling. It was truly a great place to kick back and forget that Monday is right around the corner!

Tennessee Whiskey Country Club: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shadow%20Shore/197/28/3202

Blue Ridge Country 

Blue Ridge Country was a really enjoyable place to be! The Host was amazing, and very fun to interact with. Upon entry, you are greeted with excitement, and given many dance options to choose from. They played a great variety of Country from different decades, and this made it easy to want to stay all night! You never knew what song was coming next, but all of them were awesome! This is a really great Club if you are looking for a very laid back feel.  They had the most dance options , which makes it easy to bring your loved ones along with you for a night of fun. 

Blue Ridge Country: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/lohana/113/114/30

Rodeo Nightclub

My last stop of the night was the Rodeo Nightclub.

It was a very charming little spot. Upon entering the SIM, you walk up a stone path surrounded by trees and horses. Rodeo Nightclub has a log cabin sort of feel, and these combined elements really give you that country sensation. The staff was friendly and enthusiastic . This made me feel happy to be in the venue , as it was easy to make friends. There was a variety of both Country and Country-Rock tunes, which was a nice change of pace! I really enjoyed my time at Rodeo Nightclub, and will definitely be returning!

No matter which of the listed venues you choose, you are sure to have an amazing night filled with great music, and a friendly crowd of folks to have a conversation with! So if you love Country music, be sure to give one of these Clubs a try!

Rodeo Nightclub: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Club%20City%202/30/38/22

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