Marine Science Seminar in Second Life

I attended a seminar by a Japanese Marine Scientist in Second Life, a 3D virtual world. He has set up a marine science museum in Second Life - he discussed about his thinking behind it in today's seminar.

So, students and educators can learn about marine life and specifically flora and fauna on the ocean beds through this virtual museum. In this virtual 3D museum, you can stand on the ocean bed as an avatar and view marine life just as if you were standing on the ocean floor. For example, the hydrothermal vents or black smokers and the associated volcanic activity can be seen from close range in this virtual museum - and which may be impossible to do so in real life.

With such 3D experiences, students understand and remember concepts better as compared to watching a video or looking at images on websites.

This picture shows the audience, speaker and the floating virtual fishes and squids (these virtual fishes and squids were referred to in the talk). The experience in a 3D virtual world is so real-like - as if you were there - that I almost felt that I was attending a Royal Institution Christmas Lecture today and in person.