Your Name and Title: Valerie Hill,  Librarian

Library, School, or Organization Name:  Ethridge Library, Lewisville ISD

Co-Presenter Name(s): n/a

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:  Texas

Language in Which You Will Present:  English

Target Audience(s): Librarians, Instructional Technologists, Teachers

Short Session Description (one line): Virtual Tornado Rescue is an example of engaging learners through simulation in a virtual world.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):  Virtual worlds provide opportunities to create learning environments and share educational content in unique ways.  Students enter schools and libraries today with numerous technology skills, including transliteracy, the ability to communicate across platforms.  Librarians are collaborating globally to determine best practices for providing resources that include new formats and transmedia.  The Virtual Tornado Rescue project took place in Second Life and is an example of a library exhibit and live simulation which shows potential for applications in all curriculum areas (history, math, science, art, dance, etc.) and across distance.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: Virtual Tornado Rescue (a machinima) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLth4c7_u4A