By Footman Frog

Technology is an integral part of today’s world.  Through my involvement with Teen Second Life, I have learned so many things.  Here are just a few.
I learned what 3-D virtual animation is all about. It is a very complicated process in which you can design virtual material using technology. This is very useful in today’s world and it will be extremely useful in the future, which brings me to my next point; there will be so many jobs in this area down the road. Second Life is an outstanding way for young people to develop skills in areas such as programming, engineering, and virtual design. So much creativity goes into manipulating three-dimensional figures so this is a wonderful outlet for kids’ ingenuity. Also, it can teach children about topics related to academics; for example, our project, in which we read The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and then tried to put our heads together and create the set for the book.  When we finished it looked so surreal!
 I believe that this program is a small step to something much, much more technologically advanced.  In some ways, it can be compared to the coming of the internet.  When the internet was first starting, it was too impractical to do anything with; but when the professionals got the bugs out, people started using it and making money with it.  This, similar to the internet, will lead to a much better technology.
 This is such an advanced program, we have learned so much.  There were many new vocabulary terms to memorize, such as prims, avatars, and grid.  This program also used a complicated grid system.  I am interested in finding out if there are any stronger computers that can actually handle this software.  It makes computers so slow, but it can be fun too.  You create buildings and scripts and use varied communication techniques.
 It teaches you to appreciate hard work and creative thinking; it can be so frustrating at times.  We also learned to cope with technological difficulties.  To get a computer that can take this software would take a ton of money and it would be outdated soon, when better technology comes along, anyway.
 Technology is changing so fast, maybe too fast; you can’t keep up with it unless you have a ton  of money.  It can be impractical at times; but, it teaches you to have patience for slow computers, and how to work through frustration and anger.  It can also be very time consuming, which can be bad and counterproductive, sometimes.  You just get so caught up in the game!
  I was concerned with how you acquire the game.  You have to buy an island, or a grid, which can cost you up to $25,000!  Luckily, we worked in collaboration with the Topeka Library, Kansas University and the grant that they had received. 
 Even though Second Life can have its’ ups and its’ downs, I believe that it will lead to something great.  Maybe as great as the internet, who knows?