12th Annual Virtual Worlds MOOC Introduction & Presenter Showcase

Welcome to the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Virtual Worlds MOOC (VWMOOC26), recorded live in the immersive environment of Virtlantis within Second Life. @secondlife @VWBPE @vweconsortium @ChikyuToUmi @octagoncreativeexploration2527 @valibrarian @Kitely @AvaConOrg @dorismolero This year’s theme, "Connecting for Learning in Virtual Worlds," focuses on how educators, researchers, and learners can build global bridges through immersive technology. In this session, our organizing team—Dr. Nellie Deutsch (Nellie), Dr. Doris Molero (Pionia), and Dr. Valerie Hill (Val)—officially kicks off the month-long event running throughout August 2026. *What we cover in this video* Welcome to the official opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Virtual Worlds MOOC (VWMOOC26), held live at Virtlantis in Second Life. This year’s theme, "Connecting for Learning in Virtual Worlds," highlights the power of immersive environments to foster global collaboration and innovative pedagogy. *In this introductory session, we set the stage for a month of exploration and learning.* ⭐ Meet the Organizers: An introduction to Dr. Nellie Deutsch, Dr. Doris Molero (Pionia), and Dr. Valerie Hill (Val). 🌐 The Power of Presence: Exploring why immersive spaces like Virtlantis are unique for educational connection. 📜 12 Years of VWMOOC: Reflecting on the history and evolution of our virtual learning community. 🎓 Course Requirements: A guide to navigating the Moodle LMS, earning weekly badges, and qualifying for a verifiable certificate. 🎤 Presenter Showcase: A sneak peek at the 32 expert presenters and the diverse topics they will cover throughout August. 🤝 Community & Support: A special thanks to our sponsors and the technical teams at Virtlantis, the Community Virtual Library, and the Nonprofit Commons. *Join the VWMOOC26 on a Moodle LMS* https://integrating-technology.org/course/view.php?id=13 *View the Schedule* https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hp7vT8BoOmfbSmP_DhyqiVCUeDCbuW1viKABlXaeYrM/edit?usp=sharing *Second Life Headquarters for VWMOOC26* http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Academia/230/75/23 0:00 Opening Ceremony: Welcome to VWMOOC26 1:15 Meet the Organizers: Nellie, Pionia, and Val 2:40 The Theme: Connecting for Learning in Virtual Worlds 4:55 A Special Thanks to Our Hosts at Virtlantis 6:20 History of the MOOC: 12 Years of Virtual Education 8:45 How to Earn Badges and Verifiable Certificates 11:30 Using Moodle LMS for Course Collaboration 14:10 Presenter Highlights: Exploring Upcoming Sessions 18:50 The Power of Presence in Immersive Learning 22:15 Global Networking and Non-Profit Support 26:40 Conclusion and Invitation to the Party Boat #VWMOOC26 #SecondLife #Virtlantis #VirtualWorlds #ImmersiveLearning #DrNellieDeutsch #ConnectingForLearning #EdTech2026