Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative

The March 28th edition of the Second Life themed publication Metaverse Messenger features an article entitled Global Kids - a Non-Profit Grows in Second Life.

Global Kids - a Non-Profit Grows in Second Life
By Christien Suntzu
The Metaverse Messenger

     Given the recent attention devoted to making a living in a virtual world (Wired News, Feb. 8), it is comforting to know that the non-profit sector of "real life" society is also alive and well in the virtual realm. This week, we check in with one example of an educational non-profit organization taking root byte-by-byte in electronic soil: Global Kids.

     Global Kids is a New York-based educational organization founded in 1990 that guides and supports urban youth to become global citizens, community leaders and successful students. The Online Leadership Program run by Second Life Resident GlobalKids Bixby, a.k.a. Barry Joseph, adapts Global Kids' successful youth development model to the Internet, creating new opportunities for bringing civic engagement, global awareness and leadership development to youth around the world through online games, online dialogues, and social action.

     With a strong interest in online games and communication, it should be no surprise to find them residing in Second Life, where they built an island on the teen grid so they could work directly with roughly 100 teens. 

     The largest part of the island is currently dedicated to the Global Kids Digital Media Essay Contest, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The contest ended March 23, and was designed to assist youth to talk about the role of digital media in their lives and promote their voices to influence public policy. The contest, built by The Magicians, was structured in the form of an adventure. Teens received a decoder ring when they arrived, to allow them to understand the talking rock, tree, and bats. The lake offered three different Earth Thrones, which, when sat upon, caused a globe to rise from the deep and quiz the residents with questions about global digital media. If answered correctly, the residents received a fire amulet and access to the volcano. Once inside the volcano, they found a cave full of stalactites, stalagmites, bats and items needed to complete the contest, such as essay instructions and a virtual envelope for submitting their essay. Over 20 submissions for the contest came from the teen grid. One submission was itself in the form of a build.

     The rest of the island contains giant books from a number of Global Kids programs, copies of Holy Meatballs of Divine Spongiform (a journal created by Barry Joseph), a Rhiannon-designed flower garden featuring photos and captions from the student photo program, and dispensers for the Save Darfur Campaign's charity wristbands (with notecards), associated with the real-world project.

     In-world, students explore the essay contest region and participate in Global Kids workshops regarding digital media to help them think in a deeper way about digital media, addressing such issues as racism online, the power of online relationships, and Second Life as an educational environment. They also explore the various Global Kids projects, like the books and flower pots. Finally, they have a build area set aside for their own experimentation.

     As with any virtual world, the embodied nature of Second Life creates a wide array of learning opportunities. Learners can experiment with their own racial or gender identity and develop leadership skills through collaborative projects. According to Barry, "places like Second Life are on the cutting edge, demonstrating the emergence of the sophisticated educational potential of digital media."

     Barry chose Second Life as an educational platform after analyzing the start up costs associated with building his own massively multiplayer online game (MMOG). He said that he and his team had spent two years developing a concept for a MMOG, "with conflict at the center, to explore abstracted social and economic inequalities, to train teenagers about public policy and how to advocate for change." While the nature of Second Life does not lend itself well to the initial vision, it does allow Global Kids to reach an audience of "tech savvy youth, to use games as a form of youth media amongst our Global Kids Youth Leaders, to bring global and social issues into virtual worlds, to explore how content-rich virtual worlds can be vehicles for experimenting with identity, learning systems thinking, and so much more," says Barry.

     Plus it is affordable, especially compared with the costs associated with developing a rich, multi-player game engine from scratch.
     Excerpts from some recent essays by Global Kids reveal what the island residents think about Second Life. According to Veroo Epsilon, "With the Internet, and with many programs and games, you can learn things you wouldn't [learn] in school, or from any other place." TheCoolLeader Boyer apparently agrees, chiming in to describe "things I have been able to do only in Second Life that I couldn't have done in real life: owning land, having a house, having a shop, building creations and scripting them to do stuff, flying, fighting in battle areas, making my own guns, causing objects to explode at random, and making a small company with some of my friends that I know only through Second Life." 

     Not only do students find that they can do things in-world that they cannot do in real life, but they also see differences in how people interact in the virtual world. Boyer finds that people are more social and open in the virtual world than they are in real life. This echoes findings by MMOG researchers such as Constance Steinkuehler, Kurt Squire and others who study the increasing amount of social interaction taking place not only in open-ended virtual worlds such as Second Life, but in more focused environments like Star Wars Galaxies and Lineage. 

     Connections abound when looking at this group. To facilitate communication with the adult Second Life community, they maintain a location at Cincta 83,106,21, which provides a link between the group's work on the teen grid and that on the main grid. Right now the main grid site contains the first two volumes of The Holy Meatballs of Divine Spongiform, and the flower pots from the student photo show. They will soon display the winners from the essay contest as well.

     Readers interested in finding more information about Global Kids have an abundance of options. There is information about a number of programs and initiatives on their website at
www.globalkids.org, including the Online Leadership Program run by Barry Joseph.  A blog is also in the works at www.holymeatballs.org, which will provide weekly updates regarding the Global Kids presence in Second Life, as well as other online projects, including an online dialog with the NewsHour on PBS, a serious gaming program focusing on poverty as an obstacle to education, and an online dialog at
www.newzcrew.org.
     Residents can also join Global Kids Allies, a main grid group, to support the group and keep in touch with their work in Second Life.
     As a non-profit based outside of Second Life, Global Kids is working to bridge the gap between those within and outside Second Life. Hopefully, this bridge is one more step toward improving our world - both the virtual and the tangible. As Lucky Sillanpaa wrote, "With racism all around us, inside and outside the Internet, there is little we can do about it. But if even one person is a bit less racist toward one another, maybe it will stop." Here's hoping Global Kids will continue to be one group working toward making that vision a reality!

Originally in: The Metaverse Messenger - A real newspaper for a virtual world
www.metaversemessenger.com

Posted by joyce at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ian, one of the members of the Magicians, posted a blog entry describing his experience building the island, specifically the essay contest portion.

He also includes some great photos, with captions. Below is my favorite.

Global Kids and the Electric Sheep Company ran a "mixed reality" event for the awards ceremony. In-world, the event happened at this stage built by Kim Anubis on Global Kids Island, where you could see the real-world awards ceremony in New York on the screen behind the stage. Similarly, a screen on the stage in New York showed the ceremony in Second Life. The guy you can see working the computer on the screen on the stage is piloting the avatar in the centre foreground. This felt a bit bizarre, even for Second Life.

A SL regular calling our work bizarre?!! There is no higher compliment.

Posted by Barry at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Walsh, of the blog Clickable Culture, quotes from a number of the winning essays and offers some critiques in his post Teen Tech Tales.

Posted by Barry at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Isolation/connectedness.

Jacob F., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Technology can be useful, and it can be destructive. Not just in a destroy-the-world atomic bomb and such kind of way, but in personal relationships and such. I'm a little sick and tired of looking around on my school bus and seeing everyone listening to music on CD-players or I-Pods. The girl directly beside me will be listening to music, and I’ll sigh and close my eyes to rest a little, because I know I certainly won’t be opening my mouth to hold a conversation.

Brandon Michael S., Greenbrier, Arkansas:

One game I play is Star wars X-wing vs. Tie Fighter... I belong to what is called a clan online. I am part of The Rebel Alliance (TRA). We have to fly in different battles with opposing clan members of the Tie Fighter Alliance (TFA). As a member we are in a squad and we have to report on our online activities in the game every week. We also have a message board, called a comlink, that we communicate through. We earn points based on how we do in the battles and are awarded medals. Our other job as a squad member is to recruit new members to our site.

Sabienne B., Brooklyn, New York:

Many teens use the internet to make friends both nationally and internationally. They make friends with people from other cultures, religions and races. These connections create a better understanding among different races, cultures, and communities.

Jake M., Louisville, Kentucky:

Digital media is a great way for the youth of America to become connected with the rest of the world.

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

Online multi-player video games are, contrary to common belief, very social atmospheres where players get to know one another personally… No one sees what the other people look like, but they respect each other in the same. These guys could have completely different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and totally different religions, but all of these variables dissolve when you are shooting virtual enemies as a team.

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

Gamers often group together in clans or guilds to play alongside each other on a regular basis… Clans and guilds are microcosms of the business world in that people must learn to work together to achieve goals systematically.

Nick F., Belpre, Ohio:

I play XBOX online and it is good ways to make a lot of friends I have met a lot of people from all over the US and some places around that world. It’s is also a good way to learn good team work because you have to have good team work in order to win.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

I've met people on the Internet who probably would have never spoken to me if we ever met in person first… the fact that I have friends on the Internet all around the world is amazing. Having all these friends with their own separate backgrounds and opinions gives me and other people a more cosmopolitan point of view about people and the world itself. 

Robbie S., Belpre, Ohio:

I communicate with people from across the globe, almost daily… I write to native French speakers who want to either learn English or practice their written skills, and in return they help me to ameliorate my French skills… Cultural awareness is necessary to a successful world, and the internet allows for this to occur. It is interesting to know what other people think of various global issues. Fresh and innovative ideas help to bolster world unity, all of which can be derived from the use of the internet.

Veroo E., Teen Second Life:

When you play an online game you're bound to meet other people. And when you meet others, you like or dislike them. When you like them, they become your friends. These friends online are just as important as the ones offline. ... It can be a bad thing to happen. When you love someone, and they don't live near you. And you can never actually just talk to them or spend time with them, outside of the game. It can be very saddening. Loving someone, them loving you back. Not being able to be with them. Being a thousand miles apart from one another. … I don't think it's a very bad thing, truly. Just it's not entirely good. It can be, that these friends or person who is more than a friend, on the internet.. They might be the only friends someone has.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

People only hear the bad side of meeting people from the Internet and getting scammed or killed. They don’t hear the story of the couple that met in a Christian chat room and have been married for almost 6 years. My first experience with a relationship was with a boy I met in online that lived in my town, and I feel that it was one of the most important relationships I have had in my life.

Jorge P., Brooklyn, New York:

From that game [Everquest] I have met people as close as three avenues away to as far as Japan. It brought cultures together in one world online and from it I matured very fast for my age. Playing with people ten to fifteen years older than me, I learned a very broad vocabulary which I tend to use primarily on a computer. It also helped to speed up typing…

Tanner C., Madison, Alabama:

Needless to say, the online interaction initiative is strong and will most likely continue to grow until most socialization on a day to day basis is carried out digitally.

Stephanie M., Madison, Alabama:

For a few people, look. for love on the internet works, but often one only finds a liar hiding behind a different computer screen. Relationships made online usually aren’t treated as though they’re important enough to commit to. Online relationships also have the potential to be deadly.

Patrick K., Louisville, Kentucky:

While I enjoy playing video games, I also enjoy playing outside with my friends.

Posted by joyce at 1:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Generational Change.

Eric E., Belpre, Ohio:

I don’t realize how much I use digital media because I have grown up with it.

Emmanuel P., Kokomo, Indiana:

We are the first generation who has lived with all this digital media for the majority of our lives. I am not quite sure what digital devices our children will grow up with, but I am sure that we will most likely know how to operate it, unlike our parents and grandparents… When my generation is old and weary, our grandchildren will describe us as the first children who grew up with the technology that dictated how their lives were lived.

Nate K., Teen Second Life:

We have grown up with the technology being new, and we are used to using new things because we have lived that way of life.

Alisha D., Belpre, Ohio:

I think that adults should learn what kids are learning in school these days… When I have projects, like [in] Power Points, due for school my mom always watches me do them. Afterwards she always wants me to teach her how to use them.

Mike L., Belpre, Ohio:

I have often wondered how my generation will be remembered… I couldn’t think of anything… so I popped in my earphones, played a relaxing song on my IPOD and Googled the answer while I texted my friend’s cell phone asking. if he wanted to go to the new Wi-Fi coffee house to get a raspberry _mocha flavored soy latte. That’s when it hit me: my generation will be known for having an abundance of absurd latte flavors!

Rebecca H., Belpre, Ohio:

Teenagers own the present, will control the future, and have free access to the past. Digital Media has improved the possible and done the impossible… Digital Media has shaped “Generation Y” and has revolutionized me. 

Justine H., Belpre, Ohio:

If we are as educated about [digital media] at our age, can you imagine what its going to be like in the future? There will be kids in preschool working. on adobe Photoshop, not in their coloring books. The old way of living will no longer exist in the future and old traditions will be forgotten and everything will be done electronically. We will no longer have to come to school anymore and we will no longer have to read books or write on paper, computers will be our lives. Digital media will be our lives.

Kyle M., Wheatland, Wyoming:

The Internet is making. the world completely new and ever changing, creating endless possibilities for exploration. This vast world of information has proven inviting to kids, making the new generation a curious one.  

Kyle M., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Internet-based self-reliance comes from the independent nature of the computer because it is designed for use by one person. When on the Internet, people decide where to go and what to do entirely on their own, and that idea has been firmly engrained in the minds of this new generation.

Kyle M., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Certain tradeoffs occur in changing generations. I won't go so far as to say that there is nothing wrong with the changes that occur, but there are positive effects that come from them. Person to person interaction may decrease, but personal relationships through improved communication will thrive. It is with these sorts of philosophies that I have great optimism for kids and their future. Adaptation will be the key. As long as the new generation and the rest of the world can adapt to these changes and learn from them, society will be able to keep on accepting change, from each generation to the next.

Morgan B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

I think that digital media has become such a big part of my generations’ life that most people are like me. They take all of it for granted. I don’t honestly think life could go on today if, all of the sudden, every bit of digital media that is in existence disappeared. We rely too heavily upon it.

Justin H., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
My parents don’t text and if they did it would take them an eternity but they like the idea of it.

Justin H., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
Our generation is good at video games. Its almost like it comes naturally because kids can play and be good the first time while at the same time their parents are playing for the first time and have a very hard time. If I had to make a decision on who is better at video games I would definitely say our generation would win.

Michelle H., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama: 
When I was younger, when technology wasn’t as big as it is today, my parents would make me go outside and play till it was to dark to see what I was doing. Now parents don’t care what their children do and let them stay inside and play video games all day ‘till they get a headache from looking at the screen too long.

Morgan B.:

I can’t see how people in the past survived without digital media.

Mike H., Louisville, Kentucky:

My generation, those born in the early 90’s, are the first humans to be so profoundly impacted by today’s new technology.

Mike H., Louisville, Kentucky:

With all the technology I have at my disposal, I think that people my age and I will be shaped by the technology of the future more than anyone could imagine. We learn using computers. We play games using computers. We listen to music using computers. We communicate using computers. My generation will be honed to a fine edge by today’s technology.

Sylvia M., Madison, Alabama;

Teenagers really don’t realize how much technology we use, the impact it holds in our lives, and how much we could use it to learn.

Rebecca H., Belpre, Ohio:

“Generation Y” knows Digital Media.

Rebecca H., Belpre, Ohio:

Digital Media has started a revolution. It has revolutionized “Generation Y”. It is revolutionizing me. And it will continue to revolutionize the world! 

Andrew D., Madison, Alabama:

It isn’t difficult to believe that adults aren’t able to understand why and how digital media affects our lives because our generation more than any other has been influenced by the computer.

Andrew D., Madison, Alabama:

It seems that today’s teenagers were born at exactly the right time. As we grew up the computer did as well and by the time we were able to fully understand the opportunities presented by this amazing machine the computer had become one of the most amazing and useful technological devices in the history of the world.

Mike L., Belpre, Ohio:

Every generation has a distinguishing characteristic that separates them from all the rest. Beatniks, hippies and grunge rockers all define a specific generation and conjure memories, stereotypes, and images of what a group of people claimed as their own mark in history. I have often wondered how my generation will be remembered and be identified and whether people will even care in 50 years.

Mike L., Belpre, Ohio:

My generation has been blessed/cursed with the insurgence of digital media.

Pearl S., Madison, Alabama:

The future seems as though it will be heavily based on technology and digital media, and I am fortunate to be a part of the first generation that has experienced it fully.

Posted by joyce at 1:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of The only constant is change.

Emmanuel P., Kokomo, Indiana:

Technology has improved so much over the years.

• I remember when very few people had cell phones. Now a person is in the minority if they do not have a cell phone. The most you could ever do with your cell phone was talk to people and maybe play a game like Pong. Now a person can get on the Internet, play games, text message, instant message, write a book report, take pictures and make a video. 
• I remember the best portable music players had to offer was probably a Sony Walkman. Now it’s an iPod that holds up to 15,000 songs and is also capable at showing videos.
• I remember a time when the best portable video games had to offer was a Gameboy. A Gameboy did not even have a color screen; it was played in black and white. Today the best portable video game device is a Sony PSP. This device is able to do what a Sony PlayStation can do and is at least 3 times smaller. A person can play video games, which have graphics equal to a Sony PlayStation and are capable of getting on the Internet, playing music and video.
• There was time not too long ago when video game systems limited a person to playing only with the friends that were in the same place as they were. Now you can play a person anywhere in the world.

Chelsea F., Belpre, Ohio:

Technology is being upgrade daily… When DVD players first came out, they were so expensive to buy… With that, video cassettes are slipping through the ages... I’m sure in the future there will be a substitute to DVDs.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

I love the fact that technology is becoming more advanced and things that were not even imaginable ten years ago are slowly becoming the norm today. Without it, our society would be a much harder place to live in, but then again, maybe it should be that way.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

Teens these days are becoming more educated to stay up with the changing trends around them.

Taylor D., Wheatland, Wyoming:

They would have never thought when the telephone was invented the computer would be invented and then when the computer was invented no one expected that there would be a phone that could do both things at the same time.

Tabassam C., Queens, New York:

Technology will keep on going... One may never find out where it will end.

Taylor D., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Technology is alive and well in American culture and it will continue to advance through out my lifetime, and I am really excited to see what may become of it. 

Alisha D., Belpre, Ohio:

Digital media will surprise us all in the future.

Posted by joyce at 1:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Things learned.

Pearl S., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

My first, and favorite, videogame console was the Nintendo. Although it would amuse me for hours, I never actually played it. Playing the games was too hard for me because I lacked the hand-eye coordination to do so. Instead, I simply became my dad's personal cheerleader. I would watch my dad play "Zelda" and "Super Mario Cart", the only two games I owned, and shriek along with sheer excitement. Whenever he played "Zelda," I would become the "back-seat driver" and command him to go left instead of right because I knew all the secrets of the game. When he played "Super Mario Cart," I would twist my body left and right, mentally urging our car to do the same. Currently, my siblings' and my favorite game is "Dance Dance Revolution.".. Because I engaged myself in videogames earlier on in life, my brain has become quicker in responding to various things. I now also have very good hand-eye coordination and play softball and tennis.

TheCoolLeader B., Teen Second Life:

Things I have been able to do only in Second Life that I couldn’t have done in real life: owning land, having a house, having a shop, building creations and scripting them to do stuff, flying,… fighting in battle areas, make. my own guns, causing objects to explode at random, … and make. a small company with some of my friends that I know only through Second Life. 

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

In eighth grade, I was in charge of assembling my tight-knit class's eighth-grade video, reflecting the past nine years of forty-six people's lives. I went through the pictures and picked out the best ones, putting them together in a slideshow of our prime years of childhood. It was during the presentation on graduation day, while my classmates laughed at each other and cried like beasts, that I realized how important a role I had earned in my school. I wasn't just the boy who wasted most of his time on the computer, but the person in charge of leaving a lasting impression of our favorite times in my best friends' minds. It was the highlight of my grade-school career.

Corey M., Belpre, Ohio:

Games that have the RPG [role-playing game] concept allow me to be a character or characters and help them through problems and sort of evolve throughout the game. This effect allows me to see the importance of make. the right choices in life and the consequences of make. the wrong ones. This kind of lesson is one I think everyone should have to learn.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

With the Internet, teens now can develop their own opinions about things and voice them to the community,

Veroo E., Teen Second Life:

With the Internet, and with many programs and games, you can learn things you wouldn't in school or from any other place.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

When I first went to design a layout for my Xanga, I discovered just how much I didn’t know. As I began learning things about HTML and design, it occurred to me that, had I been learning this any other way, it would’ve been the most boring thing in the world. So by using tools online, teens may find it easier to learn things and not view them as boring or useless.

Veroo E., Teen Second Life:

I have noticed that the people that play games such as Doom, Resident Evil, and all of those other violent games seem to be tougher people. Not so easily scared or startled. Though it also makes you less polite. Or not as nice.

Posted by joyce at 1:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Identity.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

On my web page, I can have skate boarding pictures all over the place, and my parents wouldn't be able to do anything about it. I may even listen to a type of music my parents hate because with a computer, I have that freedom. I can be myself and not what my parents want me to be.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

I also have a Myspace. I use it almost as much as AIM. You could say I’m addicted to it. I imagine myself in an AA setting surrounded by fellow Myspace addicts. I stand up and introduce myself, everyone says “Hey,” and then I explain my addiction.

Autumn B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Without [digital devices] I would not be the person I have grown to be today.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

Digital Media is one of the most important tools in today’s society. For me, it’s almost the pentacle of my existence.

Scarlet S., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Okay, so maybe a few years ago, I could’ve survived without my cell phone, but give me a break… I’d die without it now.

Chelsea F., Belpre, Ohio:

I will never stop using technology. Its not just a hobby now but a way of life.

Pearl S., Madison, Alabama:

TiVo is only second to the Bible for me.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

As crazy as it sounds, teens feel comfortable at their own web pages. Web pages almost become a second home to some teens.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

Without things such as MySpace, LiveJournal, Xanga and Blogger, teens might not have an outlet to voice their opinions or frustrations. … Another great thing about blogging sites is the ability to network. You might suddenly find yourself surrounded by people who have the same interests or passions as you do. … I feel network. like this helps teens that may feel like they are alone in the world find that they are not the only one who has an interest in one particular thing, or is different in some way. I know a few kids who say they feel like they can only be themselves when they are online because there is no judgment there. Let’s face it; the internet is a pretty anonymous place. You can be anyone, do anything.

Jorge P., Brooklyn, New York:

I received my first cell phone in eighth grade and ever since then, if the battery dies or I lose it someplace, I feel naked…I’m so attached to it, people tell me that I am going to eventually receive a tumor from it. Even if I do, part of me knows that after treatment I would go get a new phone. I’ve become an asthmatic who smokes, addicted to what could be my demise.

Nick C., nik385 Doesburg, Teen Second Life:

People young and old can be what or who they want to be just by the click of a mouse.

Alexandra G., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

I consider myself and my friends to be normal teenagers living in America. What defines us as normal? The answer is internet usage. … The internet is like air to us.

Alexandra G., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

My good friend Lauren goes to the library for both educational and social usage of the internet. Yes, that’s right. My friend Lauren goes to the library to use the internet for social use. Have you heard about the new craze of MySpace? … One of the opening questions of a conversation is: Do you have a MySpace? If you don’t have one, you have at least heard of it and your friends are begging you to get with it and start one.

Posted by joyce at 1:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Balancing the dangers.

Stuart D., Tocharaeh Wake, Teen Second Life:

Before I started playing games I was a heavy drug addict… games are my anti-drug…

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Addiction is usually referred to when speaking about drugs and alcohol, but surprisingly enough, many people are addicted to the internet and what it has to offer. Sadly, pornography has wrecked the lives of millions, and for many, the addiction was brought about through the internet. Crude pop ups, websites embedded with nude pictures, and easy access to any type of information make stumbling across it very possible. As a result, minds are polluted everyday, and people’s self worth and image of others drastically declines, leaving people empty. 

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

The internet keeps us in touch with each other, but it also keeps perverts and pedophiles in touch with us.

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

We’re literally addicted. Without [digital media], we will crumble like a cracker left in the hands of a child.

Sabienne B., Brooklyn, New York:

Why does digital media help some, while negatively impacting others?

Jake M., Louisville, Kentucky:

If every school across the United States focused more on teaching internet safety to its students, there would be a drastic decrease in the number of abductions of the youth of America.

Mike L., Belpre, Ohio:

The Internet (thanks to Al Gore), can be used to communicate with grandma and send her pictures of the soccer game after you research the Incas for homework. You could also be chatting to someone who wants to exploit you sexually. You can file you taxes online and do your shopping without leaving the house as long as nobody gets your information and steals your identity. You can surf the web for interesting sites and get addicted to pornography. 

Michael M., Louisville, Kentucky:

We should devote more of our time and talents to helping all the problems in the world like third-world hunger or terrorism, not, “How can I listen to music and look stylish at the same time?” It’s so stressful to try to keep up with all these distractions…

Michael M., Louisville, Kentucky:

Peace of mind is one of the valuable things you can’t find on the Internet.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

I am mad at today’s technology companies because of the stuff they are always putting into this world.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

Digital media is a blessing but mostly a curse. I think the government should ban the sites that have pornography and inappropriate language, and inappropriate content. I am ashamed how the world thinks that it is invisible. If we do what the companies want then they have already won.

Andrew D., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Do violent games cause violent behavior? How accurate is the information I receive from online sources? How careful should I be in giving out information online and how important are new online friendships anyway? These questions should be asked by everyone and the answer may not always be the same…

Taylor B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

With all of the changing technology I wouldn’t be surprised if the government is taping into our phone lines and reading our text messages. I don’t agree with our government being able to tap into our personal life. I understand that there should be actions taken since September 11 to insure our safety. But I don’t feel safe talk. on my cell phone. People shouldn’t have to worry about someone listening in on their phone calls.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Privacy is a big issue for me. I watch all sorts of thrillers where a killer finds a beautiful young girl in her prime by look. at her online journals. He stalks her, finds her, and kills her… It makes me wonder about who all has seen my Myspace. 

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

My parents thought that if I could be on the internet and not get into trouble at the age of thirteen, then my sister should be able to be on it at the age of ten. We tried this scenario and my sister played around. After a month my family started getting random letters from random companies. My parents thought it was just junk mail that was getting sent out. Then my mom gets her credit report and finds out that my ten year-old sister had been buying things from e-bay and music sites. She spent about two thousand dollars on merchandise and she put my mom’s personal credit information online. It’s been almost three years since that incident and we’re still getting junk mail from websites that she visited.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Even though I say I’m addicted to Myspace and AIM, I’m no where near as obsessed at my nine year-old brother is with internet games. The longest he was on the computer was eighteen hours and fifty-two minutes. The only way you could get him away from the computer was to tempt him with food. He is so enticed by internet games that he wet himself because he didn’t want to waste time going to the bathroom. I was shocked when I came home from school and asked why he was cleaning the computer chair with soap and water.

Saharazon W., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
Women have to be really careful about what they say on the internet because technically, we don’t really know if we are talk. to serial killers or not and so women shouldn’t give out all of their personal characteristics or information about themselves.

Alexandra G., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

The internet is becoming such a popular and powerful tool for the young adult that learning safety of the internet should be taught right after the lesson on stranger safety.

Kristen M., Madison, Alabama:

To paraphrase a recent ad I heard on the radio, the internet is a fun place to explore, but it can also be a dangerous jungle. 

Kristen M., Madison, Alabama:

When is it safe to share personal information online? I know that I probably don’t pay enough attention to this as I should.

Robert L. T., Belpre, Ohio:

There is a problem with digital media and it is today’s companies that think they can pollute the minds of little children without facing the consequences.

Tanner C., Madison, Alabama:

In conclusion, the internet and digital media in general provide many innovative and expedient means to sell, share, learn, play, create, socialize, interact, and change the world though the freedom and versatility of online communication. Many people use it for dishonest acts, but the good far outweighs the bad. Some information may be false or bias, but to limit that freedom in any way would be to repress the very individuality of human nature and the purest form of artistic _expression. The future looks bright on the internet and its users, and that is because they are continually look. towards it… continually work. towards a better unity for humankind, online or off.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

I have seen both the pros and cons of digital media, and I still believe that the positives highly outweigh the negatives, but I do believe there is room for changes and improvement.

Stephanie M., Madison, Alabama:

Is digital media a friend or foe? I don’t know I’ll have to get back to you on that. 

Aneka H., Brooklyn, New York:

If the issue was in front of a judge, whether or not digital media was good or bad, then we would [still] be sitting in our wooden chairs because both sides would be talk. forever.

Posted by joyce at 1:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Who makes the rules?.

Autumn B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Every student has his or her own way of learning. Some like to listen to music, some like to watch TV. So what is the problem for having I-Pods or walkmen in classrooms if no one else can hear them? In my school they leave it up to the teachers. If the teachers find it disturbing it is forbidden. By not allowing us to have them, some students may say that the teachers are not allowing us to learn to our fullest.

Justin H., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
In most schools there is a policy against cell phones. I think this is stupid. I think if people abused the rules they should be the only ones punished. Just cause someone chose to text there answers to someone else in the class means they should have there phone taken away not everybody.

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

Through my experience, I know better than to worry about the RIAA crack. down on music pirates. Why shell out fifty dollars on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy when I can leave my computer on for a week and obtain the very same for no cost? My parents should praise my frugality.

Kristen M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

I’m sure many students have used jpegs in a PowerPoint for a speech or added a snippet of a song to a video project. What’s the line between legal and illegal? I don’t know for certain, and I think that most adults are unsure as well.

Tyler B., Madison, Alabama:

Music is the international language, and if people can learn to be open mind towards different types of music and it can help with other social issues and ideas as well. Music affects the way you feel, think, and act and its important to have it. It should not be taken advantage of and put at unaffordable prices. It needs to be issued at a cheap expense it should be at a price everyone can afford. I believe we should do away with the corrupt politics within the music industry and give it back to the artists and the listeners.

Amber S., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Technology is changing things so rapidly that the control procedures need to change with it… The only real answers would be the ones worked out by students and adults alike.

Matt M., Louisville, Kentucky:

As our world grows closer toward the future of next generation digital media devices, we should think about these items that are present in the world today. The pros and cons of these items can play a huge role in shaping the future of our government and the way we live in the world. With people work. every day to make things better, other people will still find a way to get around the barriers, for this world isn't perfect.

Posted by joyce at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of In/tolerance.

People can meet people and share their ideas without their race, religion, or physical attractiveness becoming a factor. This optional facelessness allows true freedom and interaction without bias.

Nick C., nik385 Doesburg, Teen Second Life:

I'm going to talk about Second Life, a massive online game where you can interact with friends!...There are a lot of gay and bi people, and unlike in real life, they aren't taunted by jerks and mean people very much. Me and a few friends hold little parties for everyone usually shunned by society, like nerds, gay/bi, disabled, and just about anyone else that feels bad about themselves.

Lucky S., Teen Second Life:

With racism all around us, inside and outside the internet, there is little we can do about it. But if every one person is a bit less raciest toward one another, maybe it will stop. 

TheCoolLeader B., Teen Second Life:

From my experience people are more social and open when they are on the computer than when they are in real life.

Alisha D., Belpre, Ohio:

When you meet someone new on the computer you ask the usual: name, age, where they live. When race comes into the conversation some people won’t talk to you anymore because they don’t like what race or religion you are. This is pathetic really. Who are they to judge?

Adam S., Louisville, Kentucky:

People can be hurtful on the internet to women, calling them names and saying they have no opinion on important topics. The racist people on the internet may send mean messages... People are hurtful because they will never see the others they are being racist or sexist against… The only positive thing about gender or ethnicity on the internet is you can find a web page or chat room of people that are like you or who share the same interests as you.

Veroo E., Teen Second Life:

In real life, you're set with a certain gender, a certain skin color, and other things that you can't change. … When you're online, you are safe from prejudice. But when you leave it comes back. You might as well keep it with you when you're on an IM or in a game.

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

One of the greatest aspects of these [gaming] groups is that no one sees what the other people look like, but they respect each other in the same. These guys could have completely different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and totally different religions, but all of these variables dissolve when you are shooting virtual enemies as a team. Clans and guilds are microcosms of the business world in that people must learn to work together to achieve goals systematically.

Jackson K., Jackson Widget, Teen Second Life:

…there is little discrimination in the digital world.

Posted by joyce at 1:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Digital Media in Schools.

Tessa Z., Wheatland, Wyoming: 
I am take. a test and I am work. really hard and then a fellow student is texting someone else to get answers. It drives me nuts because I study for the test and I am work. hard and there is some else who doesn't have to worry about it because they cheated.

Tyler B., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Everyone assumes just because we have text messaging and are able to take pictures on our phones, we must be cheating. Sure, some people talk to their friends during class with text messaging but that’s not everyone, so why take all digital devices out of the classroom.

Morgan B.:

Now that these different types of media are available to teachers, the possibilities of assignments have expanded drastically.

Autumn B.:

Lets face it; our school doesn’t have a book for everything.

Yong C., Brooklyn, New York:

Some games I have contain foul language and violent scenes. I thought it was cool so I copied the language and said it in school. One time, it was very unlucky for me. The principal was in back of me when I said it and I got detention for a whole week.

Jacob F., Madison, Alabama:

I feel sorry for anyone being forced to read through these.

Posted by joyce at 1:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Legitimacy.

Stephanie M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

Many people use the internet as a crutch. They use it solely for all their research, not bothering to make sure their sources are accurate and reliable.

Kristen M., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

When I google my topic, I see thousands of sites containing related information pop up before me. Maybe these sites are legitimate, maybe they’re not. I’m careful not to use student papers or anything that looks “homemade.” We’re normally required to use several sources when researching, so by cross-referencing, it makes it possible to spot discrepancies. 

Andrew D., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

When given a ridiculously hard research paper it is not at all uncommon for me to do the whole paper using solely internet sources. … Though I am able to retrieve information swiftly there is still a danger of this information being incorrect. How am I to know that the information I receive via the internet is not completely made up by someone incompetent in the subject area I am researching? … Because of this I mostly use web sites that I know are being monitored such as news websites like cnn.com. Also, sometimes it is possible to understand the web site’s author’s expertise on his/her subject by reading information about him/her provided on the site itself.

Posted by joyce at 1:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Empowerment.

Kyle M., Wheatland, Wyoming:

Chat rooms and other forms of online communication provide a launching pad for the great think. minds of America's youth, with little or no consequence for failure.

Rebecca H., Belpre, Ohio:

Video games give teenagers, like me, the ability to control much more than a mouse.

Ryan B., Louisville, Kentucky:

Who would ever have thought it possible for a kid to travel around the world and back with a simple click? Who would have even guessed it to even be fathomable for a person to play a game, listen to Motley Crue's greatest hits, and yet still talk to friends all at once? It's possible and done by millions of people every day sitting in front of a computer screen, and I'm proud to say I'm one of them.

Dahye H., Brooklyn, New York

We own these new digital medias, we shouldn’t be slaves to them.

 
Sarah S., Kokomo, Indiana:

Blogs are online journals… Although I do not have the Internet at home, I know an Internet blog... because I have a sister that has to know everything that goes on in my life. I feel I have no privacy and I hate the fact that I always have to hide my journal and worry about my sister reading about my personal feelings. With blogs, passwords are required to get into personal writings. Access to a blog would give me more privacy and I would feel more comfortable.

Jonathan D., Wheatland, Wyoming:

My sister was on her way back to college, and she saw a person walk. up the hill, out of the corner of her eye. She stopped immediately, and got out of her car. When she was toward this person she saw how bad it was. A man, his wife, and their newborn baby rolled their car. When she got to the man my sister asked him if he had contacted 911. He said he didn’t because none of them own a cell phone. My sister saved the family just with the click of some buttons.

Kacy H., Wheatland, Wyoming:

I live six miles from town on a ranch in Wyoming, so most of the time I am in very remote areas. With my mobile phone, I feel like I have more freedom and fewer worries. … I know what you are probably thinking, what if there is no cell service? Text messaging is the answer! Often times, when I can’t make a call out, with only one “bar” of service I can still send a text message. 

Scarlet S., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

As my friend tried to swerve off the road, bam! Out of nowhere, a wreck happened. What do you do when something like an emergency happens? No, you don’t write a letter to your mom saying you got in a wreck. You don’t send a message to her pager, and you definitely don’t send an email. This is why a cell phone can be so important.

Tom D., Tecno Tiger, Teen Second Life:

I was introduced to Second Life by my dad who plays on the main grid. After the first week of playing, I was hooked, and if I’m being honest, my grades started to slip at school… Once I figured it out, I started using SL to my advantage. I set up a small mall, and started selling my products, I then used the money I made from Teen Second Life to pay for resources to help me at school.

Cassie T., Kokomo, Indiana:

Another great thing about blogging sites is the ability to network…this helps teens that may feel like they are alone in the world find that they are not the only one who has an interest in one particular thing, or is different in some way.

Chris F., Louisville, Kentucky:

Being capable of solving other people's problems enriches me with a sense of hope for my future.

Brandon A. S., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama:

I began writing this essay using WordPad, a scaled-down word processor that comes with every version of Microsoft Windows, at the public library in Greenbrier, Ark. WordPad has no spell check. function. So, to take advantage of the power of computers, I e-mailed this essay to myself, finished writing it in WordPad and then transferred it to OpenOffice.org 2.0. OpenOffice is an open-source (translates to “free”) office suite similar to Microsoft Office or Corel's WordPerfect Suite. OpenOffice has spelling and grammar check. as well as thesaurus and dictionary. If I continued to use WordPad or Notepad, I could always look online at dictionary.com with my Internet Explorer should I need to find the correct spelling of a word; while you can't leave all the spelling to the computer, it is a big help.

Posted by joyce at 1:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Digital Divide & Access.

Veroo E., Teen Second Life:

Libraries offer computers and Internet for use. Many people without a home computer can use those. But they don't have as much access and they can't do as much as they would if it was their home computer.

Max S., Bob Jones High, Madison, Alabama: 
Everyone in the world should have the power of technology.

Emmanuel P., Kokomo, Indiana:

If a person does not know how to operate a computer it is more than likely that they will probably never get an office job.

Sabienne B., Brooklyn, New York:

My use of any digital media is very limited. Because of a lack of time, I am not able to explore the digital media world as much as other youth and I’m not very proud of it. Every time I use the computer I have to have someone help me with my research. Sometimes it’s embarrassing. Look. at other teens being able to do it, I feel like I’m missing something.

Mike H., Louisville, Kentucky:

Technology is an integral part of my life, and only by using it can I truly be ready for the future.

Posted by joyce at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While there were only 14 winning essays, the majority of the over 130 essays offered some insight into and perspective on the role of digital media amongst today's teens. The following is a collection of some of the best quotes around the topic of Games and Violence.

Matt M., Louisville, Kentucky:

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently passed a law in California stating that violent games are not allowed to be sold to children under the age of 17. This law is coming from a guy who has portrayed one of the most deadly characters in the movie The Terminator. Obviously the “Govenator” didn’t know that there is a rating system which says in bold letters, MATURE (for 17+). …People today, like the Govenator, can’t see the violence in the real world, because they are caught up in the violence brought up in a virtual universe. I’m sure that there are plenty of crimes being committed besides a 10-year old playing Grand Theft Auto.

Kayla W., Athens, Georgia:

All in all, in my opinion, video games do cause violence in kids who play them. …this is just like smoke. cigarettes and getting lung cancer. Not everyone who smokes gets lung cancer and not everyone who plays violent video games becomes a violent person. 

Brittney S., Fort Valley, Georgia:

Blaming violent media for all violence is definitely not my intentions… [But] when teenagers openly admit that their violent act was a result of scenes they picked up from a video game, it’s time to address the situation. A line has to be drawn.

Stuart D., Tocharaeh Wake, Teen Second Life:

Violent games do not make a person violent, The person makes him/herself violent by the people they interact with.

Posted by joyce at 1:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On March 23^rd, 2006, Global Kids held a youth conference in New York City for over 600 teens and educators. At the conference, we held an awards ceremony to celebrate the winners of our nationwide Digital Media Essay Contest. As part of this ceremony, we featured winners who participated in the contest via an online virtual world called Second Life. At the conference, we had a screen displaying a live feed of teens who were joining us from within Second Life. Simultaneously, we set up a screen within Second Life, so the teens who were gathered there could watch a live broadcast of what was going on at our real world Global Kids conference.

This transcript begins as we were setting up and practicing before the start of the ceremony. The GK Leaders were standing on the stage in New York, practicing their script for the Awards Ceremony.

PRACTICE TIME BEFORE THE AFTERNOON PLENARY

Jackson Widget: i see myslef on the screen

Kit Axon: lol... almost...

Tocharaeh Wake shouts: I LIKE MUFFINS!

Kit Axon: i missed it

Kit Axon: can we do it over>

Kit Axon: ?

Kit Axon: i just watched myself fall off the stage!

Kit Axon: ^.^

Jackson Widget: YAY

Jackson Widget: PREPARE

nik385 Doesburg: can i have the overrider PLEASE

Tocharaeh Wake: MUHGAHAHAHAHA!!

Jackson Widget waves

Kit Axon: wait

Tocharaeh Wake shouts: I RULE THE LAND OF MUFFINS!

Kit Axon: ours will be delayed anyways...

nik385 Doesburg: toch PLEASE

Tocharaeh Wake: MUFFINS!!!

nik385 Doesburg: i be back at one o clock

Aly Nerd: hey i'm on screen on screen!

Kit Axon: i invaded

Kit Axon: oops

Tocharaeh Wake: I'M ON SCREEN!

Tocharaeh Wake: HI! GUY WHOS WAVING

As the GK Leaders practice for the real world Awards ceremony, they get to the part where they introduce Second Life and the screen behind them zooms out to reveal Second Life. The teens in Second Life who are watching the video feed of the stage in New York are then able to see themselves as they are featured on the screen in the real world. They also notice the delay between their actions and what they see on the screen.

Aly Nerd: I can see myself on the screen, on the screen

Kit Axon shouts: i fell off the stage again

Weden Cooper shouts: It's live!

Weden Cooper: Wow, that's delayed.

Alister Harrington: 20-sec delay

The teens standing on stage in New York continue to practice and they get to the point in the ceremony where they all shout “1…2….3… WELCOME TEEN SECOND LIFE!” The teens in Second Life practice their response:

Weden Cooper: Oh i feel so delightfully famous.

The teens in Second Life were able to hear Barry talk through a mic that broadcasted into Second Life:

Tocharaeh Wake: HI GUY WHOS TALKING

Kit Axon shouts: HI

Tocharaeh Wake: WHATS YOUR NAME!!!

Alister Harrington: I feel nicely anonymous yet noticed.

The GK Leaders finish rehearsing for the ceremony, and the teens in Second Life continue to hang out in front of the stage erected in SL, waiting for the ceremony to commence.

Alister Harrington: ...OMG AVATARS IN RL...Wait, no, they're standing in front of the screen

Weden Cooper: they turned us off!

Alister Harrington: noes

Jackson Widget: yargghghghg

Andrew Montagne: Technolony runs my life XD

Alister Harrington: WE'RE OFF!

Jackson Widget: donkey

Kit Axon: lol

Domzino Zeluco: that was cool

Aly Nerd: some of those plants go though the screen

Kit Axon: lol

Staff GKid: THANK YOU ALL for your help during this test run

Jackson Widget: ty staff gkid

Weden Cooper: Wait, test run!?

Andrew Montagne: your welcome

Weden Cooper: Dammnit

Aly Nerd: anytime

Andrew Montagne: i'll be religging in a bit

Staff GKid: In a few minutes we will start the entire ceremony, on the hopur

Alister Harrington: Weden, stop sounding like an annoyed emperor

Aly Nerd: anytime there's a test run that is

Kit Axon: test. the real one wont have people messing it up.

Domzino Zeluco: cool

Weden Cooper: I'm not *an* emperor

Staff GKid: Until then, respect the space, respect each other, and have fun

Weden Cooper: I'm *the* emperor

Alister Harrington: And with that statement, Weden experiences mutedness

Weden Cooper: Global Kids is too Yank anyway :) and democracy filled.

Aly Nerd: so, what it starts, when?

Staff GKid: Please understand if Gkids can't respond right now, as we need to set some things up

Domzino Zeluco: ok

Max Sprocket: ovens and tomatos shouldnt fall from the sky like cookies

Kit Axon shouts: the hopur...

Tocharaeh Wake: lol

Aly Nerd: ah, a philosophy to live by

Max Sprocket shouts: w000000ty

Tocharaeh Wake: i win

Kit Axon: i came to ask if you were okay, but i drowned.

Just before the afternoon plenary began, we attempted to gather the teens in the area in front of the Second Life stage, to let them know what was going to happen, to practice their part in the ceremony, and so they could enjoy the conference entertainment through the live video feed.

Staff GKid: Hey everybody! Please join us over at the stage, and take a seat so we can get started! :)

Alister Harrington shouts: If Weden doesn't get a positive attitude in about 30 seconds I'm OUT of here.

Tecno Tiger bites lip

Blue Linden: okay that's it....now you've done it....I'm going to have to Shush people

Weden Cooper: Alister... nobody asked for your opinion :)

Paulix Hasp: o.o

Tecno Tiger: lol

Blue Linden: SHUSH UP!

Smith Massiel: evryone shut up

Jackson Widget: please stop chatting, i am lagging badly

Kit Axon shuts up. even though she wasnt talking.

Lori GKid: Aright thanks for helping me out guys!

Jaz Impfondo: :)

Tecno Tiger: www.zipit.com

Lori GKid: Just want to explain what's about to happen

Weden Cooper: Hah, the yanks won't shut up in the crowd.

Tocharaeh Wake: HI LACOREY

Tecno Tiger: exZIPET A

nik385 Doesburg: YALL SHUT UP SO WE CAN GET STARTED

Barry GKid is online

Jackson Widget: YAH Barry

Leroy Bigwig: did the video even begin yet?

Esteth Eponym: we can hearrrr you :)

Aly Nerd: yes of course

Leroy Bigwig: oh

aeper Greyskin: wow

Jade Boxer: the no entry tape really kills pictures :(

Jaz Impfondo: if iu cannot se the mevideo,goto in ur web browser

Jacorey: hello

nik385 Doesburg: it wont work if u dont have quicktime

Esteth Eponym: this is weird, to see the people on the SL stage their talking about :)

At one point during setup and rehearsal, the camera whose video feed was being broadcasted into Second Life turned to capture the Global Kids staff at their computers. Here, Esteth is referring to how weird it is to see who the real people are behind the staff’s Second Life avatars.

Lori began talking to the Second Life teens through a mic, asking the teens for their attention, and going over the Global Kids concept of “one mic.”

Leroy Bigwig: how long b4 she stops saying ''sit down''

Leroy Bigwig: its annoying

aeper Greyskin: i know

Tocharaeh Wake: Leroy shush

aeper Greyskin: any one know them?

Weden Cooper: Hah, i've coined the phrase Yankee Kids.

Lucky Sillanpaa shouts: UHM

Leroy Bigwig: pssh you shush

Jaz Impfondo: Yo Pedro,stand up!

Lucky Sillanpaa shouts: let me in :P

Jackson Widget: what does one mic mean?

Domzino Zeluco: brb

Weden Cooper: One mic means they're too cheap :)

Esteth Eponym: Great!

Jaz Impfondo: ?

Esteth Eponym: *applauds*

Paulix Hasp: oh great.. the video finally streamed smoothly, but the sound died...

Leroy Bigwig: its okay all they r saying is sit down

Aly Nerd: the siound if bad

aeper Greyskin: 1 mic?

Esteth Eponym: only 1 speaker at a tim

Aly Nerd: woooo

Aly Nerd: loud cheering crashes it

Weden Cooper: Then cheer loudly.

Domzino Zeluco: mine is fine

THE PLENARY BEGINS

The awards ceremony was featured as part of the GK conference’s afternoon plenary, following spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, with Aquavibe, and plenary speaker, recording artist Talib Kweli.

As the conference’s afternoon plenary programming began, it became necessary for Lori to switch to communicating with the teens through typing/chat because the Global Kids staff were sitting in the conference auditorium.

Lori GKid: We're about to go live...Here's what's going to happen...

Andrew Montagne: word

Jackson Widget: loce

Jackson Widget: love

Alister Harrington: Lori: could anything be done about Weden?

Jackson Widget: chill alister

Jackson Widget: kids

Aly Nerd: dint anger him

Jackson Widget: kids

Jackson Widget: kids

Jade Boxer: can whoever is in charge take down the no entry tape?

Jackson Widget: movement

Alister Harrington: He's really starting to offend me a lot now

Jackson Widget: movemnt

Alister Harrington: kids.

Deaka Luan: woooo

Jackson Widget: ready

Jackson Widget: ready

Lucky Sillanpaa: ready

Domzino Zeluco: ready

Esteth Eponym: ready

Paulix Hasp: lol

Aly Nerd: ready#

Alister Harrington: ready

Esteth Eponym: yeaeaaaaah

Skarr Greyskin: /ao on

Jackson Widget: YEAHH

aeper Greyskin: NOO

Domzino Zeluco: yea

Esteth Eponym: yeeeeaaaaaaaah!

Weden Cooper: "Ready for some poetry"

rose Squeegee: omfg

Jackson Widget: I DO

rose Squeegee: there 100 ppl here

Tocharaeh Wake: everyone SHUSH!!

Tocharaeh Wake: everyone SHUSH!!

Tocharaeh Wake: everyone SHUSH!!

Domzino Zeluco: what is she doing?

aeper Greyskin: HURRY UP

Jackson Widget: *SCREAM*

Alister Harrington: *yells*

Leroy Bigwig: man get with the poetry this pippy stuff isdriving me mad

Char Linden: screammmmmm!

Aly Nerd screams

Lucky Sillanpaa: AHHHHHHH

aeper Greyskin: BOOOOOOO

Domzino Zeluco is bored

aeper Greyskin: whos the carmra man?

Lori GKid: When they get to the part of the ceremony when they give you guys a big welcome...

Jackson Widget: i am

Char Linden: *sings*

Leroy Bigwig: im gonna make some prim tomatoes and throw them at her

Barry GKid: All right folks - while listening and watcvhing the video please hold back any commetns so Lori can talk with you about hwat is about to happen

Jackson Widget: u cant rez objects

Alister Harrington: lol.

aeper Greyskin: let me get some

Barry GKid: for the firs time. ever

Barry GKid: Teen SL in the RW

Andrew Montagne: we gunna be on tv?

aeper Greyskin: ern

Alister Harrington: Barry, is it your account on the screen?

aeper Greyskin: i wish

Barry GKid: Gunna be on the screen on our stage

Alister Harrington: I wanna know whih account I can IM safely

Andrew Montagne: okies

Barry GKid: ty

Jesse Gable: rose

Kit Axon: i have loss of sound.

Lori GKid: This is the important part...they'll give you all a big welcome, and you guys should give a big Second Life hey right back

Lucky Sillanpaa: we will :D

Lori GKid: you can wave cheer jump up and down

Smith Massiel: i dropped ice cream on my keyboard =\

Jackson Widget: ur in my shot

Lori GKid: But then we're going to go right into Jacorey giving out the awards

nik385 Doesburg: hiya out there!

Jackson Widget: nik can u sit

nik385 Doesburg: im a finalist!

Tocharaeh Wake: same

Jackson Widget: can u move farther off the stage

Jackson Widget: move right

Jackson Widget: like 10 ft

nik385 Doesburg: one sec

Lori GKid: so...we'll need to come up with signal I can give you, that lets you kknow when to wave and cheer hello

Little Pengi: hello Lori GKid :)

Lori GKid: and when to stop

Kit Axon: lol

Leroy Bigwig: shes had her coffee

Jackson Widget: Make it "*SL CHEER*"

Lori GKid: You guys know what an Applause sign is?

Lucky Sillanpaa: if Kit can be on the stage, so can i :D

Jackson Widget: no

Tocharaeh Wake: i cant clad

Tocharaeh Wake: i'm a puppy

Esteth Eponym: a sign that says applause?

Jackson Widget: Lori, make it "HOUSEKEEPING*

Jackson Widget: YEAHHHH!!!!!!

Andrew Montagne raises hand

Jackson Widget: YEAH TALEB KWELI

Leroy Bigwig: taleb kweli?

Leroy Bigwig: who is taleb kweli?

Tocharaeh Wake: I love you Kit ^.^

Jackson Widget: u dont know who TALEB IS????

Leroy Bigwig: no, who?

Lori GKid: rightt -- like when at a TV show, when they hold up an applause sign - the audience is supposed to cheer and clap like mad

Jackson Widget: muscial ARtist, super famous

Leroy Bigwig: oh

Kit Axon: i love you too. shush.

Kit Axon: >.<

Tocharaeh Wake: hehe

Kit Axon: ^.^

Leroy Bigwig: i knew a taleb kweli once

Leroy Bigwig: some other computer game

Lori GKid: and when the applause sign is taken down, the audience is supposed to stop applauding so the show can start

Leroy Bigwig: hooza

Lori GKid: So we'll need a cue that lets you know we're live

Esteth Eponym: got an ETA on the start of the awards?

Char Linden: I hear Digidoo!

Alister Harrington: Just yell "live", lori

Alister Harrington: :P

Jackson Widget: COMMUNISM!

Lori GKid: what do you guys think about

Lori GKid: bballoons

Esteth Eponym: brb

Tocharaeh Wake: JACKSON SHUT UP!

Jackson Widget: make it HOUSEKEEPING lori

Lori GKid: balloons

Alpha Zaius shouts: woa, congrets you 4 :)

Alister Harrington: no

Alister Harrington: NO

Smith Massiel: propoganda

Alister Harrington: NO BALLOONS

Andrew Montagne: great for me

Jackson Widget: whah toch

Jackson Widget: chill please

Alpha Zaius shouts: congrats even

Aly Nerd: HEY! woo hey people wooooooo!

Alister Harrington: you'll kill my computer if you fire balloons

Kit Axon: i lost sound...

Lucky Sillanpaa: guys, lets set a good example :)

Lori GKid: Let's practice

Domzino Zeluco: HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY!

Little Pengi: hi Domzino Zeluco :)

Lucky Sillanpaa: anything but that

TSL Resident: Guys, please listen, your here today representing SecondLife and all of the Teen Grid, we are going t be broadcasted over there like they are brodcasting to us. Make a good imprestion for SL and for the Teen Grid

Deaka Luan: hey mom im on Tc! xD

Lucky Sillanpaa: exactly

Alister Harrington: Seconded

Andrew Montagne: ok

Leroy Bigwig: we are not going to be broadcasted to new york

Leroy Bigwig: as funny as that would be

Lori GKid: When you see balloons start to fall

Lori GKid: That's your cue to cheer

Lori GKid: Once they stop falling, give your attention to Jacorey

Jackson Widget: YEAUHHH TALIB

Lori GKid: We are READY to go

Alister Harrington: yay

Marduk Mauriac: WOOo

Alpha Zaius: wooooooo!

Char Linden: woot!

Alister Harrington: ker-zomg

Domzino Zeluco is very annoyed with nothing

Barry GKid shouts: cover oyur ears!

Leroy Bigwig: fellow borg!

Alister Harrington shouts: huh?

Jackson Widget: YEAHH TALEB KWELI

Leroy Bigwig: is this guy in the jacket mr. kweli?

Lori GKid: Alister, can I get you up here on stage?

Blue Linden: ;p

Alister Harrington: if I can move, sure

Lucky Sillanpaa: I wanna be on stage x.x

Quinn Vaughan: lol

Lucky Sillanpaa: REPRESENT!

Martial Logan: You guys act all clever and immature when people dont want you to, then when they do, you dont, ffs.

Jackson Widget: KIT

Jackson Widget: KIT PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!!!!!

Kit Axon: eek

Lucky Sillanpaa: REPRESENT

Lucky Sillanpaa: YEAH

Jackson Widget: KIT TOP STREAKING

Lucky Sillanpaa: QUEENS BABY

Skarr Greyskin: all natural dude!!!!

Blue Linden: SHUSH....you're not loading...kit isnt streaking

Jacorey: where is allister

Alister Harrington: Lagging around on the other side of the stage

Jacorey: oh ok

Tecno Tiger: behindyou

Alister Harrington: I'm getting about 2fps

Alister Harrington: Give me around 3 secnds' notice before asking me to do something

Aly Nerd: he speaks the truth, the news lies

Jackson Widget: TALEB KWELI IS THE MAN!

Leroy Bigwig: thats whitewash!

Jacorey: i just nee u next to toch so ii can pay u guys easily

Lucky Sillanpaa: it does lie

Leroy Bigwig: conspiracy

Aly Nerd: I hear ya

Jackson Widget: video stopped

Tocharaeh Wake: the vid died

nik385 Doesburg: NONE OF THAT

Domzino Zeluco: yup

Aly Nerd: sorry

Marduk Mauriac: VIDEO down!

Domzino Zeluco: it died!

Jackson Widget: wherd all the video go?

Leroy Bigwig: oh man isn't taleb sexy when he is frozen?

Smith Massiel: its broked

Paulix Hasp: It died on the web too.

Lucky Sillanpaa: calm down

Marduk Mauriac: NOOOOOOOoooOOooo

Leroy Bigwig: thats just a nice pose

Jackson Widget: *boring*

Lucky Sillanpaa: they will fix it

Domzino Zeluco: NoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Lori GKid is online

Domzino Zeluco: yay!

Andrew Montagne: back

Lucky Sillanpaa: guys, we have to represent TSL, please act your age

Jackson Widget: i want video of Taleb

Leroy Bigwig: I am a monkey..

Lori GKid: Hey guys -- thanks so much for your patience!

Lori GKid: we're having a few technical difficulties, but we're back!

Jackson Widget: why is it upside down!!!!!

Kit Axon: open it, play in world, minimize or whatever, it should keep you dancing

Leroy Bigwig: I spy something blue

Marduk Mauriac: Back again! HAZAA!!!! but upside down

Aly Nerd: I see blue

Jackson Widget: ITS UPSIDE DOWN

THE AWARD CEREMONY

The GK Leaders take the stage and begin the awards ceremony live at the conference. They introduce the Digital Media Essay Contest with quotes from winning essays written by teens. Julia Stasch from the MacArthur Foundation (who funded the essay contest) shares a few words. An award is handed out to Dayhe Ham, the only essay winner present at the conference.

Lori GKid: We're GOING LIVE!!!!

Lori GKid: GET READY!!

Leroy Bigwig: what does live mean

Lori GKid: wand on

TSL Resident: we are going to be broadcasted to newyork

Alister Harrington: it works now....Ungh

Blue Linden: They are gonna see us, get ready to applause :)

Smith Massiel: whats it like in the real world

Leroy Bigwig: like

Lori GKid: get ready guys!

TSL Resident: so remember you are represtntin gth eteen grid

Leroy Bigwig: what city square?

TSL Resident: and all of SL

Leroy Bigwig: were gonna be on a huge TV?

nik385 Doesburg: a massive tv

Domzino Zeluco: when?

Leroy Bigwig: one of those things as big as my house?

Lori GKid: remember, when you see the balloons, that's your cye to giuve a big SL hello!

Lori’s use of the word “balloons” triggers her wand and balloons start falling from the sky – prematurely giving the teens the cue to wave and cheer.

Leroy Bigwig: wow

Alister Harrington: loading

Smith Massiel: big sl helloo!

Kit Axon CHEERS!!!!!

Jackson Widget: YEAHHHH

Alister Harrington: Aaand a big hello from the land of teh 337 h4xx0rz! w00t!

Esteth Eponym: Woo, HEllo!

Domzino Zeluco shouts: HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY!

Jackson Widget: CHEEERE

Smith Massiel: woot

Lucky Sillanpaa: Whoo! Whoo whoo whoo whoo whoop!

Kit Axon: LOL

Little Pengi: hello Alister Harrington :)

Jackson Widget: WHAOOO

Domzino Zeluco shouts: HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY!

Marduk Mauriac: WOOOOO

Jackson Widget: WAHOOO

Smith Massiel: hi hui

Aly Nerd: HEY! woo hey people wooooooo!

Deaka Luan: lol xD

nik385 Doesburg: woooo

Jackson Widget: WAHOOO

Domzino Zeluco shouts: HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY! HEY! hi HEY ITS ME, hello out there... HEEEEEEEEY!

Lucky Sillanpaa: Whoo! Whoo whoo whoo whoo whoop!

Little Pengi: hi Domzino Zeluco :)

Andrew Montagne: HELLO!

Skarr Greyskin: yeeeaaaa

Alister Harrington: w00000000000000t!

Jackson Widget: CHEEER

Aly Nerd: hey hey hey

Deaka Luan: i cant seee noooooo

Smith Massiel: woot

Paulix Hasp: LOL

Andrew Montagne: Welcome From TSL!

Little Pengi: hi Domzino Zeluco :)

Tocharaeh Wake: STOP SPAMMING

Marduk Mauriac: Hi!!!!!!

Lori GKid: Ok, and stop (that was practice :)

Lori GKid: get ready...

TSL Resident: shhh now get ready every one, we will go on soon, and remember... you are represented SL and all of the Teen Grid

Esteth Eponym: you can see SL in the background on the projector

Deaka Luan: the projection on the screen has a SL menu bar at the bottom :p

Lucky Sillanpaa: LOL

Kit Axon: ^.^

Leroy Bigwig: i just see blue

Lori GKid: get ready!!!!!!

Aly Nerd: oh here we go

At last, the GK Leaders draw the audience’s attention to the screen on the stage behind them which features an image of the Global Kids Annual Youth Conference announcement.

One of the GK Leaders says, “You might have noticed a video behind us. This is a live video from a virtual world for teens called Second Life. Check it out.”

At that point, inside the footage being projected on the stage, the video pulls back to reveal the virtual world of Second Life, the virtual stage erected on Global Kids Island, and the virtual crowd in attendance.

The GK Leader on stage in New York then continues, “Many teenagers within Second Life also submitted essays. And, in fact, they have been watching everything we just told you. Let’s give a big ‘welcome’ to Teen Second Life. On the count of three, please join me in shouting out, ‘Welcome Teen Second Life.’” At that point, all the GK Leaders shouted WELCOME TEEN SECOND LIFE!

Lori GKid: balloons

Alister Harrington shouts: Aaand a big hello from the land of teh 337 h4xx0rz! w00t!

Lori GKid: balloons

Lori GKid: balloons

Smith Massiel: hi evrybosy!!!!

Aly Nerd: HEY! woo hey people wooooooo!

Callum Fetid shouts: YO

Paulix Hasp: HEY~~~

Lori GKid: balloons

Jade Boxer: /clap

Kit Axon cheers!!!! "HI OUT THERE"

Alister Harrington shouts: Aaand a big hello from the land of teh 337 h4xx0rz! w00t!

Lori GKid: balloons

TSL Resident: Hello every one, from all of SecondLife, and us here on the Teen Grid, Thank you for your interest in us

Esteth Eponym: Hey Everyone!

Deaka Luan: woo!!!!!!!

Aly Nerd: HEY! woo hey people wooooooo!

Tocharaeh Wake: HELLO WORLD!!!! YOUR ALL MY NEW FRIENDS!!!!!! <3

Tocharaeh Wake: HELLO WORLD!!!! YOUR ALL MY NEW FRIENDS!!!!!! <3 <3

Andrew Montagne: WELCOME FROM TSL!

Lucky Sillanpaa: WHOOOOOO

Blue Linden: woohoo

Esteth Eponym: WOOOO!

Tocharaeh Wake: v

Smith Massiel: !mg boogie on

nik385 Doesburg: HIYA!

Marduk Mauriac: HI!!!!

Alister Harrington: YAYZOR

Callum Fetid shouts: W007!!

Andrew Montagne: wELCOME!

Kit Axon shouts: wheeeeeeee!

TSL Resident: Hello every one, from all of SecondLife, and us here on the Teen Grid, Thank you for your interest in us

Marduk Mauriac: :D

Angel Fitzcarraldo: go yall lol

Alister Harrington: ZOMG!!!111ONEONE

Skarr Greyskin: YEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Esteth Eponym: HEEEEEEEEEEY

Andrew Montagne: welcome!

Kit Axon: can i run around popping balloons?

Tocharaeh Wake: HI BARRY!

Tocharaeh Wake: THATS ME

Callum Fetid shouts: NO

Kit Axon: lol

Tocharaeh Wake: HI BARRY!

Marduk Mauriac: Get a better view !

Deaka Luan: hes lagging xD

Paulix Hasp: haha

Kit Axon: barry you missed

nik385 Doesburg: HIYA YALL

Deaka Luan: stand still barry xD

Lucky Sillanpaa: GO BARRY

Deaka Luan: or yull lag

Skarr Greyskin: w00t!!!

Lori GKid: money

Lori GKid: money

Kit Axon: lori, we need balloons!

Lori GKid: money

Lori GKid: bubbles

nik385 Doesburg: WEEEEEEEE

Lori GKid: bubbbles

nik385 Doesburg: GET IN!

Marduk Mauriac: I see myself :D

Angel Fitzcarraldo: lol

Aly Nerd: they cant read this though can they

Aly Nerd: wow

Callum Fetid: anyone else hear it?

Lori GKid: SO, the teens in the real world gave a huge shoutout

nik385 Doesburg: WORD UP REAL WORLD!

Andrew Montagne: WEre off...

Callum Fetid shouts: YO

Lori GKid: and Jacorey gave out awards of 28514 Lindens to Toch and Alister

Alister Harrington looks up the exchange rate on lindex

Tocharaeh Wake: woot

Esteth Eponym: 0.0

Tocharaeh Wake: ^.^

Callum Fetid: its 300/1

Tocharaeh Wake: I WIN!

Tocharaeh Wake: ^.^

Alister Harrington: Holy....

Lori GKid: And Nok and Jaz will get their awards in real world money

Alister Harrington: Market crash =X

Esteth Eponym: thats like, kabillions

nik385 Doesburg: im getting 100 rl cash!

Lori forgot her wand was on and the word “world” caused a globe to fall from the sky.

Callum Fetid: lol

Kit Axon: oops...

Lori GKid: wand off

Marduk Mauriac: wtf

Marduk Mauriac: the world is in the way

Marduk Mauriac: nvm

nik385 Doesburg: sum1 get the earth off me

Alister Harrington: lol

Lori GKid: eek indeed :)

Esteth Eponym: y'know, in the spirit of GKids, you should donate it all!

Lori GKid: sorry guys

Kit Axon thinks esteth is a gkid in disguise...

Marduk Mauriac: MONYEY

Jacorey: i luv cash

Lori GKid: So, for the first time doing this, the ceremony went pretty well!

Kit Axon: i got hit by a world

Lori GKid: you guys should be real proud

Char Linden: WTG guys!

Esteth Eponym: will the Gkids be sticking around in SL?

Andrew Montagne: it done now?

Marduk Mauriac: w00t

Lori GKid: Yup

Kit Axon: yay!

Blue Linden: Way to be part of TG/GK history :D

Lucky Sillanpaa: yay!!!

Esteth Eponym: yey ^_^

Lori GKid: feel free to stick around and enjoy more of the youth conference

Lori GKid: we have an great performance coming up in a couple minutes

TSL Resident: Thank you GK, for bringing SecondLife an interesting and rewarding connection

Blue Linden: Congrats to the Essay contest winners!

Lori GKid: Check out their essays in the book over there

Andrew Montagne: congrats nik!

Esteth Eponym shouts: are lori and Jacorey at the conference itself?

Lori GKid: We are

Lucky Sillanpaa: WHOOOO

Esteth Eponym: cool, its weird to see people in RL in SL too :D

Jaz Impfondo: lol

AFTER THE AWARD CEREMONY 

On stage at the conference in New York, the afternoon plenary continues with a presentation by the Global Kids Human Rights Activist Project, followed by a dance performance by Punjabi Dynasty of Long Island City High School.

Lori GKid: jI'm psyched for what's coming on stage!!!!

Lucky Sillanpaa: yeah, I am taking a few snapshots

Lori GKid: check em out!!!

Kit Axon: flickering lights...

Marduk Mauriac: FLASHY

Esteth Eponym: AAAAAH, its FREDDY!

Kit Axon: xD

Marduk Mauriac: Awesome

Marduk Mauriac: That's pretty cool

Jaz Impfondo: Yay for dancing

Jaz Impfondo: xD

Marduk Mauriac: That's some FUNKY dancin'

nik385 Doesburg dosent know whats going on but says wooo anyways

Tocharaeh Wake: =p

Kit Axon: i win

Kit Axon: xD

The teens in Second Life are enjoying the performance and start dancing themselves.

Kit Axon: whoooooooo!!!!!

Multibracer: 1.1.1

Marduk Mauriac: !mg boogie

Kit Axon: lol lucky

Esteth Eponym: dance1

Kit Axon: on the stage, not on lori

Esteth Eponym: /dance1

Tocharaeh Wake: Whoooooooooooo!!!

Martial Logan has a better view from Teh Robot

Marduk Mauriac: YAY! LMAO

Lori GKid: Everyone come on stage and join the dancing!!!!

A bunch of teens come onto the Second Life stage to dance.

Keshi Perun shouts: Good Job Everyone ty GK for bringing this into tsl

Barry GKid: There's more dancing coming

Martial Logan: Victory dance!!!

TSL Resident: Thank you again Global Kids, for bringing all of Teen SecondLife this wonderful event

Jacorey: it doesn't look right when i have a lizard in my hand

Kit Axon: go lizard go!

Lori GKid: Thanks guys!!!!

Kit Axon: yup! ^.^

Domzino Zeluco: that lizard is cool

Domzino Zeluco: detailed

Kit Axon: dance lori!

While the dance party continues, some of the teens express interest in the future of Global Kids in Second Life.

Lucky Sillanpaa: I would like to know, maybe I could help with the next project

Jaz Impfondo: I've wanted to help since the beginner

THE PLENARY ENDS; THE CAMERA SHOWS THE AUDIENCE LEAVING

Barry GKid: That was fun

Barry GKid: Gotta love the dancing

Kit Axon: you guys did awesome with the conference ^.^

Marduk Mauriac: LOOK AT THE PEOPLES

Marduk Mauriac: They don't know we're watching them

Lucky Sillanpaa: is it over?

Lucky Sillanpaa: :(

Lori GKid: YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!

Esteth Eponym: no, you guys are awesome

Lucky Sillanpaa: psssh, Lori, nest time I am in the city, I will stop by :D

Marduk Mauriac: Whoever's the cameraman should show himseld

Martial Logan: I didn’t get it, what was that all about anyway?

Marduk Mauriac: I’m still dancing and I don’t know why

Esteth Eponym shouts: lets all thank GKids for putting on such a great show!

Kit Axon shouts: THANK YOU GKIDS!!!

Martial Logan: I’m gonna fly around this island for a bit, it’s nice

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