Certificate in Virtual Worlds at University of Washington
Announcement: Certificate Program in Virtual Worlds
The University of Washington’s Information School, in partnership with
University of Washington Educational Outreach, is excited to announce
the start of a new certificate program in Virtual Worlds. The program
is a series of three consecutive courses, each 10 weeks and 3 credits,
the first of which begins on January 8th, 2009. The program continues
through the Summer quarter, completing August 27th, 2009. Enrollment is
open to graduate students, undergraduates, and working professionals.
The classes will all meet weekly on Thursday evenings from 6-9pm SLT
(PT). Students will participate synchronously in virtual environments.
The first class session meets in Second Life; students will also have
the opportunity to explore different Virtual Worlds platforms in use in
educational and business domains. Classes will include a combination of
experiences including lecture, guest speakers, “field trips”, and
hands-on interactive activities. Each course includes a unique focus on
different facets of the implementation and use of virtual environments,
and each successive course builds on the concepts of the previous. The
program objectives include both practical application of virtual worlds
and an increased academic insight. Non-matriculated students who
successfully complete the three consecutive courses will receive a UWEO
Certificate in Virtual Worlds.
For additional information or to register:
http://extension.washington.edu/ext/certificates/vir/vir_gen.asp
Or contact:
Kristi Palmer
Program Manager, Academic Programs
University of Washington Educational Outreach
206.221.0299
kpalmer@EXTN.washington.edu
Program information:
The courses in this program will combine enrollments of working
professionals seeking to apply Virtual Worlds inline with professional
development, and matriculated graduate and undergraduate students from
the University of Washington’s Information School.
Program information may be found:
http://extension.washington.edu/ext/certificates/vir/vir_gen.asp
Admission requirements:
Participation in the program is restricted to students who have
a) completed at least one year of college- or university-level study,
b) attained computer literacy and are able to download and install
software from a website,
c) experience in the use of basic internet applications (e.g., e-mail,
web browsers and search) and computer operating systems (e.g., Windows,
Mac OS, and Linux), and
d) a valid e-mail account for the duration of the program.
English Proficiency:
Students who are non-native English speakers are expected to have
adequate English language proficiency.
Recommended Second Life skills:
In order to gain the most value from your initial experiences in the
virtual classroom, we recommend that you establish a Second Life
account, create an avatar, and become familiar with some basic skills in
Second Life, including:
* Ability to comfortably walk, sit, turn, fly, and teleport
* Ability to control the SL camera view
* Ability to change your avatar’s appearance and dress
* Ability to use Second Life communication tools including IM, text
chat, and voice chat
System requirements:
For general guidelines on system requirements, see
http://secondlife.com/corporate/sysreqs.php
This program will rely on in-world voice chat; a headset with microphone
is required for voice/audio participation.
Course information:
Selecting and Using Virtual Worlds
Winter Quarter Schedule: (10 sessions)
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. SLT,
Jan. 8-March 12, 2009,
$789.
3 credits.
Reg # 97795
Instructor: Randy Hinrichs
Description:
Apply and combine concepts, processes, issues and skills from
information management techniques, technology design and digital culture
formation to virtual worlds. Requires understanding of 3D systems
concepts, Web markup languages, and end-user programming tools. Students
analyze three virtual world platforms, examining design methods and
user-centric design for human-information interaction. This is an
integrative course that provides problem-solving opportunities and
hands-on development for information students, requiring utilization of
knowledge gained from previous information technology studies.
________________________________________
Designing and Building Virtual Worlds
Spring Quarter Schedule: (10 sessions)
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. SLT,
April 2-June 4, 2009,
$789.
3 credits.
Reg #97796
Instructor: Janice Cowsert
Description:
Examine and apply concepts, strategies, and skills related to the life
cycle of virtual world planning, design, and product development. Focus
on concepts of usability, architectural design, knowledge management and
urban community factors. This course involves conceptual frameworks in
design, graphic relevance, and social networking practices that ensure
the scalability, reliability, and availability of 3D immersive
environments. Emphasis us given to Internet-based services for storing
and accessing information to be used in integrated virtual world
development. This is an integrative course that builds on
problem-solving techniques learned in the Winter course and examines
comprehensive factors for designing and building immersive information
platforms, requiring utilization of knowledge gained from previous
information technology studies and organizational experience.
________________________________________
Virtual Worlds Interactivity and Metrics
Summer Quarter Schedule: (10 sessions)
Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. SLT,
June 25-August 27, 2009,
$789.
3 credits.
Reg. #97797
Instructor: Randy Hinrichs
Description:
Examine methods for interactivity and use evaluation techniques
involving human factors, cognition, gaming strategies, performance
tracking and feedback systems that ensure the ’stickiness’ and defined
value in virtual worlds. Ensure strategies and tool selection process
for interactivity factors and evaluation methods. Focus on database
management techniques and programming for storage, retrieval, network
balance and transactional interchange. This is an integrative course
that builds on design and delivery techniques learned in the Spring
course and examines comprehensive factors for creating interactivity and
metrics in immersive information platforms, requiring utilization of
knowledge gained from previous information technology studies and
organizational experience.