Real and Virtual Buffalo State Loves Cotton Exhibitions

A number of class projects from the Buffalo State College Loves Cotton education grant sponsored by Cotton Inc. have already been completed.

REAL WORLD EXHIBITS
During the summer of 2011 [June & July] a real world exhibit will be on display in the E.H. Butler library on the campus of Buffalo State College. This exhibit will be changing and installed by Dr Lynn Boorady, the project director for this Cotton Inc. education grant. Another real world Buffalo Loves Cotton exhibit is planned for 234 Gallery September 18 – 24, 2011.

VIRTUAL WORLD EXHIBIT

A virtually created exhibition of the Buffalo State Loves Cotton project has been developed by Elaine Polvinen and is currently open on the Buffalo State Island in Second Life. This exhibit will be in place until 12/31/11. You are invited to visit the exhibit in the virtual world of Second Life.

There are several options for you to visit the virtual exhibition. The first option [if you are not already a member of the SL community]  is to download and join Second Life [It’s free to join].

• Link to What is Second Life HERE .
•  Link to Download Second Life HERE.  
• Link to Join Second Life HERE.

Install the Second Life application on your computer. Then go to the link to join Second Life. You first choose an avatar, then register for Second Life [remember it is free to join] and get a user name and password. Once you complete the registration and select and avatar you can open the second life application. You will need to type in your user name and password. The first time you enter the world of Second Life you will experience about a  30 minute self-help tutorial on Orientation Welcome Island  that will guide you through the steps of learning how to communicate, walk, move around [using move tools], camera controls, how to sit, fly, and change you avatars basic appearance. I believe also covers the basics of search, using the map, opening a note card and buying things in Second Life.

Here is a video to show you with the Welcome Orientation island is like HERE

Once you have completed the tutorial you can teleport over to the Buffalo State region by clicking on the SURL.

Clicking on this SLURL [Second Life URL] will take you to the landing location [image on left] on the Buffalo State island.

When you land on the Buffalo State island [sponsored by the Research Foundation] turn around and you will see the posters for the Buffalo Loves Cotton exhibit in the back of the first floor of the Research building. The actual BLC exhibit is up the curved ramp to the second floor.

Here is a link to my slideshow in FLICKR that will familiarize you with the exhibit area before you go.

Another option is only open to educators. If you are an educator and would like to get a virtual tour of the Buffalo Loves Cotton exhibit for your students please contact me at polvinem@buffalostate.edu