CLASS 1 : INTRODUCTION

Video Games and Virtual Reality is an Immersive Education course: the entire course takes place online in a virtual world (synthetic immersive learning environment). Note that MOST of tonight's class is entirely self-directed: the instructor will "meet" you online after you complete the steps below. Complete the steps below at the start of tonight's class so that you are READY to meet virtually at 8pm ET. In other words, you have until 8pm to complete the steps below so that you can meet with the professor online (virtually) at that time. Approximate time estimates are given for each step below so that you can keep pace.

NOTE: If you are unable to to complete the steps below for any reason BE SURE to contact Prof. Walsh immediately through his bio and contact page.

1) Click here now to review the course syllabus. [10 minutes]

2) Purchase an "academic subscription" (not the full version) to the "Immersive Education - Virtual Learning Environments: IMMERSIVE EDUCATION COLLEGE+ SERVER" course textbook that is listed on the course syllabus. [10 minutes] TONIGHT YOU WILL NEED THE TRANSACTION ID (PURCHASE ID) THAT YOU ARE EMAILED FROM PAYPAL AFTER YOU PURCHASE THE DIGITAL TEXTBOOK, SO BE CAREFUL TO USE YOUR REAL EMAIL ADDRESS AND LOOK FOR THE EMAIL FROM PAYPAL AFTER YOU PURCHASE THE BOOK. IT WILL CONTAIN THE TRANSACTION ID (PURCHASE CONFIRMATION CODE) THAT YOU WILL USE LATER IN TONIGHT'S CLASS.

3) Visit http://members.ImmersiveEducation.org and read about Immersive Education, and then CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT USING YOUR FULL NAME (FIRST AND LAST NAME) AND BE SURE TO INDICATE THAT YOU ARE A BOSTON COLLEGE STUDENT. To create your own account click on the "Create new account" link that appears on the right-hand side of the page, and follow the instructions that appear. [1 hour]

4) Install Flash from here if you don't already have the most up to date version. [5 minutes]

5) Use your FULL NAME (first and last name) to sign into the "Audio Whiteboard" here and say hello to your fellow classmates using the text chat area. Use your headset/microphone to say hello using audio as well. Experiment with the text and drawing tools that appear on the right-hand side of the Audio Whiteboard until the professor arrives. [5 minutes]

6) FOLLOW THE INSTUCTIONS THAT APPEAR ON THE AUDIO WHITEBOARD.

NOTE: The professor will sign into the Audio Whiteboard at 8pm at which point you should have completed all of the above steps. The remainder of tonight's class takes place in the Audio Whiteboard.

ASSIGNMENTS DUE BEFORE OUR NEXT CLASS: See our course lecture notes and assignments page to review the previous classes and prepare for the next class. Between today and our next class do all of the assignments listed on the lecture notes and assignments page that correspond to tonight's class. IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUR TEAM MEMBERS BETWEEN EACH CLASS TO ENSURE THAT YOU'RE ALL READY FOR THE NEXT CLASS. YOUR TEAM SHOULD KNOW THE PASS/FAIL STATUS FOR EACH MEMBER OF YOUR TEAM *BEFORE* CLASS STARTS SO THAT YOU CAN RECORD A PASS/FAIL IMMEDIATELY (SAVING TIME, AND ENABLING OTHER TEAMS TO RUN THE LADDER WITH YOU IN A TIMELY MANNER).

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE LINKS BELOW TONIGHT. ONLY FOLLOW THE STEPS ABOVE AND BE READY TO MEET THE PROFESSOR IN THE AUDIO WHITEBOARD AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE ITEMS ABOVE.

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WHEN THIS COURSE OVER: Once this course is over consider uninstalling (removing) browser plug-ins and software that you've previously installed for this class but may no longer use. Here's how to uninstall software if you're using a Windows-based computer.