Every week, I run a short class in the Sandbox Done about building in SL. I have no real experience in building in SL, just what I learned in the Dome. But, like much in life - real or Second - you learn so much more when you teach! That's one of the things that drew me to museum education in the first place - you can share what you know, but you always learn something new with each group.

The class is very simple. We aren't making anything jaw dropping - no Greek Architecture or rocket ships - just simple prims. However, tonight, with just 4 of us, we created a wonderland of shapes, colors and physical properties. This class seemed as enamored as I with making an object "physical." So much fun to create moving teeter-totters and kickable balls!

What made it so engaging was the experimentation. Every time there is more than one person in class, we have some people who go faster than others. Due to the interactive nature of SL, we can all see if Avatar A has created something interesting, or see what Avatar B is struggling with (and maybe its the same things we are, but we are too embarrassed to ask for help). When builders are encouraged to create rather than just build, they get excited. They shout to each other when they learn something new. "Look what happens when I make it glass!" "If you make it phantom you can walk through it!"

If you haven't yet made the leap into SL, come on in, the water is fine. In places like The Tech, newbies outnumber experienced users, so don't feel nervous. We are all learning together. I hope to see more of you at tours and classes in the future! Ta for now!