I've recently been researching the virtual world, Second Life. I'm very interested in it and plan to attend all the sessions on it that will be happening at the 2008 NECC in San Antonio. I created an avatar but haven't explored Second Life very much yet. Do you use Second Life either personally or in your teaching? I'd like to hear about experiences and teaching ideas. Also, did you have any problem convincing your district or IIT department to allow the use of Teen Second Life?

I'm going to my first National Educational Computing Conference this June 29 - July 2 in San Antonio, TX. I'm very excited! I've never been to a conference with so many workshops, sessions, and exhibitors. I'm also looking forward to seeing San Antonio because I've never been there before. Are you going? Have you attended NECC before? What did you think?

I've created an E-learning course on Internet Safety and Responsible use designed for students in middle and high school. The course has will also be offered at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR in the Community Education program next fall, modified for older adults (mostly aged 50-90). As I researched this topic, I found out that as of April, 2008, only three states include safe and responsible use of the Internet in their K-12 curriculum. I consider this a serious problem, considering the increasing Internet use by students and the many risks involved. Do you have any specific curriculum in your school or district to address it? Have you had problems with students' lack of understanding of Internet safety or ethical use? What are your thoughts on this issue?