In 2006, following extensive research into the educational potential of virtual worlds, Global Kids became the first nonprofit to develop a dedicated space for conducting programming in the virtual world of Teen Second Life (TSL). Within TSL, the organization has established Global Kids Island, which hosts interactive, experiential programs for teens from around the world. Specifically, Global Kids is conducting intensive leadership programming for youth, bringing youth from its New York-based programs into the space, and streaming the audio and video of major events into the world. Global Kids’ work in TSL is conducted in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation, UNICEF, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the International Criminal Court, among others.
Global Kids’ work in Teen Second Life is extensively detailed on the blog olp.globalkids.org/second_life, which was praised by Edward Castronova of Indiana University as "an invaluable insider's report on how you build education in digital 3D." The programs have also received significant press attention from many media outlets, including Business Week, The Toronto Star, Congressional Quarterly, BBC News, and the book Second Life: An Official Guide. SimTeach described this work as a “juggernaut [that] set the pace of expansion for educators serving the younger set in Second Life.”
The following provides information about how Global Kids is utilizing Teen Second Life:
A Learning Environment for After School Programming: Youth in two NYC-based after school programs are utilizing the tools and educational potential of Teen Second Life to develop and implement projects to educate their peers about critical global issues. Through the Virtual Video Program conducted in collaboration with the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, 25 students are participating in an after school program that combines education about film production and history, digital media literacy, youth media, civic engagement, and global education. Each year, the students will use Second Life to create machinima, digital movies created with video games. In addition, youth in the Playing 4 Keeps program at South Shore High School in Brooklyn are using the creative potential of TSL to develop online games that educate their peers about important world issues.
Leadership Programs for TSL Residents: In Teen Second Life, GK is translating the approach and methodology of its Power of Citizenry Leadership Program to a 3-D online environment. On Global Kids Island, teenagers from around the world participate in online activities to develop their understanding of global issues, commitment to civic participation, and leadership skills. In summer 2006, GK conducted an intensive summer camp for youth in TSL, who participated in daily workshops about a range of global issues. At the conclusion of the summer camp, the participants created an interactive maze in Second Life to educate their peers about child sex trafficking around the world, as well as raise money to address the issue. More than 2,500 teens visited the maze in its first ten weeks, with 20% donating money. More recent projects have included the UNICEF A World Fit for Children Festival and a series of programs about international justice, organized with the International Criminal Court.
Audio and Video Streaming: Global Kids regularly partners with leading institutions to broadcast live events for youth in Teen Second Life. To date, these have included a question and answer session about the genocide in Darfur with Mia Farrow, conducted with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; a simulcast of the MacArthur Foundation’s announcement of its new Digital Media, Learning and Education Initiative; and a discussion (and dance party) for youth with Henry Jenkins, MIT Professor and a leading expert on youth and digital media. “You are asking people to bring what they learn here back into their own communities to make a difference,” Jenkins said from Global Kids Island. “That is one of the reasons why I really believe in what Global Kids is trying to accomplish.”
Professional Services: Global Kids offers professional services to assist other organizations with the use of Second Life. Specifically, GK offers program development, brand management, professional development, and educational consulting, and works with organizations to co-locate live events within Second Life.
To learn more about these programs, please visit our blog at
HolyMeatballs.org.
