Read the SLED Picayune, a weekly inworld publication about Real Life Education in Second Life.
It is written by and for educators using Second Life for academic purposes, and you can pick up the latest copy at this kiosk.

 Who am I?

Greetings!

I'm John Lester, also known as Pathfinder Linden in the virtual world of Second Life.

I joined Linden Lab (the creators of Second Life) in 2005, bringing experience in online community development as well as a background in the fields of healthcare and education. Previously I was the Information Technology Director in the Neurology Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, where I pioneered the use of the web in 1993 to create online communities for supporting patients dealing with neurological disorders. I also held an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School, where I created online collaborative environments for professors and students to advance the case-based teaching method in medical education. While I was at Massachusetts General Hospital, I created BrainTalk Communities, an organization who's mission is to provide online environments for patient and caregiver self-help groups focused on neurological disorders. I continue to work on my own time with BrainTalk Communities to create and support places in Second Life for people dealing with Asperger's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Stroke Survivors.

I currently live in Boston and primarily focus on leading our Proactive Education and Healthcare Mentoring Program, acting as a general resource and academic evangelist for people using Second Life for teaching, academic and healthcare research, and scientific visualization.

Internally, I take what I have learned from those market segments and use the knowledge to identify critical tools and processes Linden Lab needs to develop to help educators and healthcare professionals succeed in Second Life. I am also Linden Lab's Boston Operations Director, coordinating the growth of Linden Lab's Boston-area office.

I often give presentations at universities and conferences on how Second Life can be used as a platform for education and innovative learning, focusing on strategies for success. A list of my recent and upcoming talks, including my downloadable slides, is on this page. If you would like me to speak with you and your group, please see this speaker request form.

If you would like to contact me directly, please email me at pathfinder@lindenlab.com or ideally send me an IM in Second Life. I also hold office hours each week in Second Life at my inworld office, and attend regular meetings of the Boston Second Life Meetup Group.

- Pathfinder Linden (John Lester)

My Avatar in Second Life.
This portait was taken by Second Life photographer extraordinaire Kriss Lehmann.

Great Second Life Links

Upcoming Presentations and Talks

  • TBA

Some Recent Presentations and Talks

Collaborative Architecture - Time-lapse movie of 3 avatars in Second Life building a house based on a 2d architectural drawing.


Watch Robbie Dingo recreate the beautiful town in Van Gogh's "Starry Night" in Second Life. A breathtaking video.


Me and my partner, Mia.


My avatar in Real Life


Rezzing chairs at our booth at SIGGRAPH2006

Many musicians give live performances in Second Life, streaming their audio into the virtual world where Residents can gather and socialize in virtual clubs and concert halls.
Learn more about Music in Second Life here, and check out this updated list of upcoming events!

www.flickr.com
Pathfinder Linden's photos More of Pathfinder Linden's photos

"Better Life" movie by Second Life Resident Robbie Dingo.
The most inspirational movie about the potential of Second Life I've ever seen.

I also have a profile on SL Profiles. Thanks for reading this far. :)

Page last updated 08.15.08

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