Virtual MPhil at the OU

Lucia Rapanotti described the virtual MPhil in computing that has been built on available technology using asynchronous, synchronous and immersive (2nd Life). The second life environment DeepThink has made a good job of offering a simulation of  the OU world. Public site is at http://virtualmphil.open.ac.uk/. Can accommodate other groups of people - e.g. a Design course is planned. Can allow privacy by partitioning the space - and also by using other technologies that are more appropriate. Piloted the structure with current students using elluminate and ning at the moment. The space is carefully designed but if necessary can be completely redone - one of the advantages of 2nd Life.