Names: Look at the current last names available to new Second Life accounts. What sort of names do you see there? What sort of non-English names are available? What categories of names are available? Describe how you selected your Second Life name. What options did you consider before making your final decision? What do you feel your Second Life name tells other people about you?

Look at the list of current last names available on Second Life
(https://secure-web0.secondlife.com/join/). Choose a Second Life last name different from the one you selected, and write a description / create a visual representation of the sort of person you think would choose this name.

Avatar: As you are setting up your Second Life account, examine the default avatars that are available. What choices are available? Which one did you choose, and why?

Create an avatar that is the complete opposite of how you feel you are in your first life – in terms of personality and / or physicality. What sort of changes do you make? Create a photo essay documenting the creation of this alter ego avatar. Take this avatar out and visit a few places – what sorts of reactions do you get? In terms of social interaction, what sort of opportunities does a male avatar have that a female avatar may not – and vice versa? What about non-human avatars?

Do some window shopping for AV skins. What sort of races and ethnicities are available? Erika Thereian spent three months in Second Life wearing an African American skin. Some of the reactions she received were surprising:

http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2006/02/the_skin_youre_.html

Discuss Erika’s story. How many darker skinned avatars do you see in Second Life? Wear an African American avatar in Second Life for a day or more; document the reactions you receive and present them to the class.

-- Karen Kaiser Lee