Difference between revisions of "SL Certification"

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==Overarching Goal==
{{SLCert Navbox}}
* Create Second Life Certification as an in-world resource for Residents
[[Category:Certification]]
==Immediate Goal==
* Develop certification criteria for modeling and scripting
** We are looking for members of the Developer, Instructor, and Volunteer communities to work with Lindens in creating the skills list and certification tasks for those skills in Modeling and in Scripting.
==Description==
Linden Lab is developing certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification.
It is Linden Lab's intent to work with an external certification provider to offer certification testing and maintain a list of those Residents who have been certified.
==Linden Participants==
* [[User:Glenn Linden|Glenn Linden]]
* [[User:Eric Linden|Eric Linden]]
* [[User:Blue Linden|Blue Linden]]
* [[User:Heretic Linden|Heretic Linden]]


==Resident Participants==
=SL Certification Project=
If you are interested in participating, please add your name to the end of this list.
* [[User:Nomasha Syaka|Nomasha Syaka]] build/model/textures
* [[User:Ceera Murakami|Ceera Murakami]] (Fox and Ground Construction Company) Texture Artist
* [[User:Elle74 Zaftig|Elle74 Zaftig]] (Bellissima!/Shoppe74) build/model/textures
* [[User:Keiki Lemieux|Keiki Lemieux]] (HUDDLES Games & Gadgets) Building, Scripting, Animations, Textures
* [[User:Tre Giles|Tre Giles]] (GiTech/Action Village Paintball) Building, Scripting, Animation, Photography
* [[User:Alexander Regent|Alexander Regent]] (MageTech LLC) Scripting, website integration, cellphone integration, in-world building
* [[User:Sitearm Madonna|Sitearm Madonna]] (Siterma): Sim Scale Project Planning and Management; Structural Builds and Simulator Performance Management; Social Builds and Community Growth Management; Modeling - Architecture, Terraforming, Waterscaping, Landscaping, Soundscaping
* [[User:Hugo Dalgleish|Hugo Dalgleish]]
* [[User:Kenn Nilsson|Kenn Nilsson]] (NDE)
* [[User:Ravanne Sullivan|Ravanne Sullivan]] (Ravanne's Dance Poles and Animations) Animations and Scripting
* [[User:Fox Diller|Fox Diller]] (Crystal Studio/Magrathean Technologies) Anything Second Life.
* [[User:MSo Lambert|MSo Lambert]]
* [[User:Rael Delcon|Rael Delcon]]
* [[User:Dytska Vieria|Dytska Vieria]] (residential design/builds)
* [[User:Skye McArdle|Skye McArdle]] - Modeling, Animation, Textures, AV Customization
* [[User:Eladon Galsworthy|Eladon Galsworthy]] (PondLife - building and scripting)
* [[User:Oz Spade|Oz Spade]]
* [[User:Max Case|Max Case]]
* [[User:Newfie Pendragon|Newfie Pendragon]] (Reality Check, LSL Scripting)
* [[User:Gigs Taggart|Gigs Taggart]]
* [[User:Peekay Semyorka|Peekay Semyorka]]
* [[User:Osgeld Barmy|Osgeld Barmy]]  (biulding textures lsl)
* [[User:Nargus Asturias|Nargus Asturias]] (Avatar building, animations, scripts)
* [[User:ForestMist Skjellerup|ForestMist Skjellerup]]
* [[User:Rraven Moonlight|Rraven Moonlight]] (Terraforming Raw files, Texture developer, Large Scale Architectural Builds)
* [[User:Xylo Quisling|Xylo Quisling]]
* [[User:Thunderclap Morgridge|Thunderclap Morgridge]] (Texture artist, and nascent builder)
* [[User:Hiro Pendragon|Hiro Pendragon]] (CTO, Infinite Vision Media) LSL scripting, modeling
* [[User:Ethan Therian|Ethan Therian]] (Creative Director, Infinite Vision Media) modeling, texturing
* [[User:Ciemaar Flintoff|Ciemaar Flintoff]] (associate, Infinite Vision Media) lsl scripting, web-to-SL-to-web scripting
* [[User:Nimrodina Wayne|Nimrodina Wayne]] (build, animate, machinima)
* [[User:Lias Leandros|Lias Leandros]] (VooDoo Corp.)Sim Scale Project Planning and Management; Social Builds and Community Growth Management
* [[User:Erin Talamasca|Erin Talamasca]]
* [[User:Till Stirling|Till Stirling]] (Scripter, Builder, Consultant)
* [[User:Kri Ayakashi|Kri Ayakashi]] (AyakashiTEC) - LSL Scripting, Web2.0 integration, distributed programming (C/C++/C#, Python), in-world building, consultancy
* [[User:Alison Wheels|Alison Wheels]] ([http://secondlife.creative.org.uk/ Creative Organisation]) Scripting, FL/SL Integration issues, construction, terraforming, design
* [[User:FlipperPA Peregrine|FlipperPA Peregrine]] (Peregrine Salon/ESC) - LSL Scripting, Web integration, lots of other stuff. Creator of SLBoutique.com and SLTrivia.com.
* [[User:Strife Onizuka|Strife Onizuka]] (Scripter, Builder, Consultant)
* [[User:Porky Gorky|Porky Gorky]] - Hydro Homes : Prefabricated & customised building & architectural design.
* [[User:Bru Yang|Bru Yang]]
* [[User:Dirk Talamasca|Dirk Talamasca]] (Building, Custom Textures, Land/Estate Management. Internet Abuse Remediation, Sim Scale Layout, Planning and Development)
* [[User:Aimee Weber|Aimee Weber]]
* [[User:Banana Stein|Banana Stein]] (SL Brand) Builder, Textures, Sim Scale Project
* [[User:Linnian Sugar|Linnian Sugar]] (*Lollipop Shop owner* Builder, Clothing and textures, scripting, animations)
* [[User:Siobhan Taylor|Siobhan Taylor]] Building, Scripting.
* [[User:Taco Rubio|Taco Rubio]] (Media Management)
* [[User:RobbyRacoon Olmstead|RobbyRacoon Olmstead]] (Scripting, Building, C:SI Developer)
* [[User:Dnali Anabuki|Dnali Anabuki]] (Structure,Process,Organizing of Cert) Satorifilmservices.com
* [[User:Detect Surface|Detect Surface]] - (**D&D Creative Lab/The Brain Game/City of Abaddon** Building, Texturing, Skins, Texture-Mapping/Zoning, AV Design, Clothing, Sim Design and Construction, Architecture, Weapons, Vehicles, Furniture, Animation, Graphic Design, Artist and Pretty Flower Arranging.)
* [[User:Meade Paravane|Meade Paravane]] (Script monkey, Builder)
* [[User:Richie Waves|Richie Waves]] (Builder, Textures)
* [[User:Orange Montagne|Orange Montagne]]
* [[User:Joshua Nightshade|Joshua Nightshade]] (Builder, avatar design - primarily smaller-than-normal avatars)
* [[User:Zorena Deckard|Zorena Deckard]] (builder,textures,modeling)
* [[User:Bartiloux Desmoulins|Bartiloux Desmoulins]] (Scripting, modeling and animations)
* [[User:Ravenelle Zugzwang|Ravenelle Zugzwang]]
* [[User:Little Penguin|Little Penguin]] Building, Scripting
* [[User:Pol Tabla|Pol Tabla]]
* [[User:Jade Opel|Jade Opel]] (Brides & Blooms by Jade Opel)  Building, terra-forming, textures, particles, modeling
* [[User:Auron Havercamp|Auron Havercamp]] ([http://www.kenthavercamp.com/ Kent-Havercamp Enterprises, Ltd.]) - Scripting, Web Interaction, Data Storage
* [[User:Schuyler Kent|Schuyler Kent]] ([http://www.kenthavercamp.com/ Kent-Havercamp Enterprises, Ltd.]) - Building, Scripting, Consulting
* [[User:Vincent Nacon|Vincent Nacon]] (all above)
* [[User:Aradia Aridian|Aradia Aridian]] (Modeling, Land/Estate Management, Business Management, Marketing to the Virtual Customer)
* [[User:Scarlet Singer|Scarlet Singer]] (Textures/Graphics) <3
* [[User:Will Webb|Will Webb]]
* [[Cocoanut Koala]]  (Coco's Cottages) Builder
* Illya Sullivan
*[[User:Frans Charming|Frans Charming]] ([http://www.thevesuviusgroup.com The Vesuvius Group])Project Planning and Management, 3D Modeling/Building, Scripting, Texturing, etc
*[[User:Rhiannon Chatnoir|Rhiannon Chatnoir]] ([http://www.thevesuviusgroup.com The Vesuvius Group])Creative Director of The Vesuvius Group (Project Management, Planning, Textures, Terraforming, machinima), also SL and web dev for Global Kids, Inc. and a RL professional graphic designer.
* [[User:Shockwave Yareach|Shockwave Yareach]] (Textures/Scripting/Building)
* [[User:Rebel Television|Rebel Television]] ([http://www.slexchange.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=147428 Airfoil]) Scripting, Animation, Vehicles, Avatars, Building, In-world RSS Feed Displays
* [[User:Storm Thunders|Storm Thunders]]
* [[Rocky Merosi]] (Objects, Furnishings/Interior Design, Weapons and Vehicles, Asset Managment, Movement, Attachments, Setting Properties, Communications)
*[[User:Moriz Gupte|Moriz Gupte]] ([http://www.play2train.org Play2Train])Producer, Scripter, Builder SL educator
*([http://homepage.mac.com/salazarjack/ Salazar Jack]) - Kahruvel Design - Environments, Landscapes, Forest Preservation, Terraforming, Architecture, Archeological Restoration, Furnishings/Interior Design, Objects, Textures
*[[User:Raven Pennyfeather|Raven Pennyfeather]] Owner/operator for House of RFyre LLC,clothing and avatar development, textures building, business analyst, gragphic design.
*[[User:Thraxis Epsilon|Thraxis Epsilon]] (Resume in Profile)
*[[User:Angelica Puff|Angelica Puff]] (Communications, External <-> Inworld data, Asset Management)
*[[User:Jeff Kelley|Jeff Kelley]] (Communications, Networking, Display, Data storage & access)
*[[User:Ace Albion|Ace Albion]] (Ace's Spaces)  prefab builder
*[[User:SunShine Kukulcan|SunShine Kukulcan]] (Mercury Dev Studios - Music and Media Services, Sim planning)
*[[User:Klink Epsilon|Klink Epsilon]] (Mercury Dev Studios - Builder, Custom Textures, Sim Design and planning, Media Services)
*[[User:Parker McTeague|Parker McTeague]] (BLIP) building, textures
<!-- add yourself above this line, starting the line with an "*". DO NOT DELETE THIS LINE!
-->


==Target Date==
==Introduction==
Ready to launch by fall, 2007


==Certification Categories==
There are many classes on many different Second Life skills and all of the classes focus on different sets of abilities within each skillThe SL Certification Project's goal is twofold:
Initially, we plan to develop certification for Modeling and ScriptingIf these two categories are successful, we will develop, in accordance with your feedback, future areas including but not limited to: Avatar Customization, Terrain/Land Editing, and Land/Estate Management.


===Modeling===
* Create extensive and complete lists of abilities within as many different Second Life-specific skillsets as required by businesses and individuals in Second Life.
* Architecture
 
* Furnishings/Interior Design
* Create certification exams as another way, separate from portfolio, for Second Life residents and solution providers to prove their ability within a specific skillset.
* Objects
 
* Weapons and Vehicles
SL Certification is a task-based approach to identifying those who have attained a given level of proficiency in world in a given knowledge and skills area. '''To become an SL Certification project participant, contact {{User|Orange Planer}} (Leader).'''
Note: Includes using scripts to animate objects and textures but no writing of scripts
 
===Scripting===
A list of certified individuals would be maintained and made publicly available.
* Animation
 
** Note: Animation includes object animation, texture animation and particle systems
==Action Plan==
* Attachments
 
* Movement
=== Phase One - Develop Skills Lists ===
* Physics & Collisions
 
* Detection & Sensing
# The SL Certification Developers team uses volunteer moderators to:
* Asset Management
#* Create and maintain a single schools list on the Second Life Wiki with links to their information locations showing what they teach.
* Setting Properties
#* Create and maintain multiple skills lists on the Second Life Wiki of one should know to attain levels of ability in those skillsets.
* Communications
# The volunteer moderators keep the skills lists current.
* Interacting with external data stores & web content
# Schools will:
* Media Management
#* Educate those interested to reach those levels.
#* The schools will create learning content based on the certification criteria.
#* Remain responsible for their own existing certification programs.
# Residents will have a choice of where to go to learn the skills.
# Everyone has the benefit of a shared set of skills lists for reference.
#* Individuals have:
#** A checklist for managing their own skills education program.
#** A list of schools who are known to give classes on material they want to take.
#* Schools have:
#** The opportunity to be known for the classes they already make available.
#** The opportunity to offer new classes not yet available.
#* Solution Providers have a checklist for managing their employee skills education programs or checking skills levels of their contractors
 
=== Phase Two - Develop Skills Tests ===
# The SL Certification Developers team uses volunteer moderators to develop, test, and document:
#* Multiple skills tests of what people need to know, and know how to do, in multiple categories of Second Life skills
#* Use the best blends of testing methods including but not limited to: Written (True/False; Multiple Choice), Performance (Build; Texture; Plan)
 
=== Phase Three - Create A Mechanism For Establishing Certification Testing ===
# The SL Certification Developers team will identify one or more mechanisms to establish certification testing including:
#* Creating a group that would manage the examination process
#* Having schools or the certification group proctor exams
#* Having schools or the certification group grade the exams
#* Exam scores and tests will be kept in a database for which reporting will be available; the exact details shall be worked out at a later time, in particular, who will manage the database, who will have access to the database, what database shall be used, how access will be granted, and where the database will be stored, among others issues.
 
=== Phase Four - Certification in Operation ===
* Linden Lab liaison reviews SL Certification Developer recommendations
* Present plan for Executive Committee discussion, approval, budgeting
* Target Q4 2010 to begin
 
== Process Guides ==
 
=== SL Certification Process ===
* [[SL Cert Process Document | How skills lists become skills tests]]
 
=== Roles Guide ===
* [[SL Certification Roles | Action roles in the SL Certification Project]]
 
=== Certification Guide ===
* [[SL Cert Guide to Certification Testing | How 3rd party testing companies work]]
 
=== Wiki Guide ===
* [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Style_Guide | SL KB Style Guide]
 
=== Skills List Template ===
* [[SL Cert Criteria Template | A template for consistent format of skills list criteria pages.]]
 
== Company Lists ==
 
=== Education Companies / Schools ===
:Moderator: {{User|Lady Hathaway}}
* [[List of Second Life Skills Training Schools|SL Cert Schools]]
 
== Skills Lists ==
* In Phase One Action Plan these lists are sorted in the order they were first created.
* In Phase Two Action Plan a logical grouping will be added to make subjects easier to find.
 
=== Moderators (subject matter experts) ===
:Land Management Moderator: {{User|Annie Twilight}}
 
:Texturing Moderator: {{User|}}
 
:Terraforming Moderator: {{User|Patrice Cournoyer}}
 
:Scripting Moderator: {{User|Grandma Bates}}
 
:Event Hosting Moderator: {{User|Linda Sautereau}}
 
:Machinima Moderator: {{User|Toxic Menges}}
 
:Building Moderator: {{User|Aquarius Paravane}}
 
:Marketing Moderator: {{User|Ppmediadev Blinker}}
 
:Second Life Tutoring Moderator: {{User|Orange Planer}}
 
:Sculpty: {{User|Vickie Greenwood}}
 
== Skills Tests ==
 
Skills tests are now being created.  Creating the skills tests will be coordinated with when certification exams begin.
 
== Meetings and Notes ==
Certification discussions, hosted by {{User|Orange Planer}} (2009/2010) and {{User|Emily Darrow}} (2008/2007)
* [http://slurl.com/secondlife/SLDEVU/227/73/27 Location (SLDEVU ISLAND)] - accessible by group members only
 
* [[SL Cert - Meeting Minutes|Meeting Minutes]]
 
=== 4th Quarter 2008 Accomplishments ===
* Team Leader [[User:Emily Darrow|Emily Darrow]]
* Developed Action Plan
* Schools List Up on Wiki
 
=== First Quarter 2009 Accomplishments ===
* Team Leader {{User|Orange Planer}}
* Additional Participation Generated by Post on XStreet
* Ten Skills Lists Up on Wiki
 
=== Second Quarter 2009 Goals ===
* Team Leader {{User|Orange Planer}}
* Continue and Deepen Generation of Skills Lists
* Begin Generation of Skills Tests
* Identify 3rd Party testing companies to be used for certification process
 
=== Fourth Quarter 2009 Goals ===
* Complete rough drafts of all certifications
 
=== First Quarter 2010 Goals ===
* Acquire outside review of all certification requirements
* Complete final revisions of all certification requirements
 
== Linden Participation ==
* {{User|Lexie Linden}}
* {{User|Katrin Linden}}
 
Linden Lab is supporting the development of certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification.
 
== [[:Category:SL Certification Participant|Resident Participants]] ==
{{:Category:SL Certification Participant}}
 
== Certification Mailing List ==
https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/slcertification
 
== SL Certification Group ==
SL Certification Devs - request membership from {{User|Orange Planer}} in world.  Membership is open to anyone who requests it. Meetings are announced here and in-world.
 
== Meeting Announcements ==
March 20, 2010 at 9 AM SLT/PST.  If you do not have the landmark, please ask {{User|Orange Planer}} in-world.
 
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
=== What is the value of Certification? ===
The primary value of certification is to those hiring people to create content for them in SL. Specifically, it answers the question "where can I find a group of contractors that I can interview for work I need done?"  Certification is a strong indication that someone has at least a minimum set of skills. Certification is only one of many ways to demonstrate competency.
 
Certification also provides a set of skills against which anyone in Second Life, whether they build for fun or for hire, can measure their accomplishments.
 
By more clearly defining skills related to Second Life tools, certification may improve the quality of construction in Second Life, and may encourage a broader range of instruction about the Second Life tools.
 
=== Portfolios already show if someone is competent; why do we need certification? ===
Not everyone has an extensive portfolio, despite obvious skill and talent.  Portfolios have a valuable role in demonstrating accomplishment, both in RL and SL. In Second Life, many projects are done collaboratively.  Builds can incorporate content that is bought and created, and many people can be involved. It can be hard to look at a project and understand what a particular person has contributed. Certification provides one method of demonstrating your own skill set. It should be only one of many potential ways to evaluate a candidate.
 
=== Is Linden Lab mandating certification? ===
You can chose to be certified if you want, or not. Linden Lab has no intent to monitor or mandate that Second Life content be created only by Residents with certification, or to mandate certification in any way. Nor will Certification (or non-certification) be tied by Linden Lab in any way to land ownership, group membership, membership level, or any other attribute of a Second Life account. While Linden Lab may provide a way for those listed in the Developer Directory to identify certification, it will not require it for the Developer Directory, Classifieds, Events, or any other Linden Lab-operated listing service. 
 
=== Is Linden Lab mandating content of certification? ===
Linden Lab has engaged the Residents in defining the skills involved in competency, and in developing the appropriate demonstration of those skills. Linden Lab is not defining the skills nor the demonstration of them.
 
=== Will it cost money? Does Linden Lab intend to profit by Certification? ===
Linden Lab was looking to have a third party organization manage certification; we don't want the administrative hassle of doing it, nor the potential for anyone to claim that we would have influence on who gets certified. We intend to make certification as widely available as possible. We will work with Residents, Instructors and Developers to find the best way to enable certification.
 
=== Who will be providing the Certification service? ===
The SL Certification Developers group will be providing the certification service.  SL Certification Developers welcomes input from anyone, although it reserves judgment on whether the input is valuable.  Linden Lab has no intent of operating the certification service.
 
<div>
At this time, the only answer we can give is "Not Linden Lab." We will work with the Residents who participate in developing certification to find the best provider - whether a Resident, an external third party, or some other provider. Ironically, our original reason for only considering an external provider was to prevent any concern that one group of Residents might use Certification against other Residents. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the Certification service - we don't have the expertise or resources, nor do we want the inevitable accusations of bias.
</div>
 
=== Will certification make it harder to become competent in using Second Life tools? ===
Certification is a way to more clearly communicate skills. Without certification, everyone has their own idea of what competency is.  Some classes will teach one set of skills, others another, and outcomes aren't comparable. That's why we're involving SL instructors in this project.
 
Learning to use SL Tools will still take the same amount of effort.  Certification will help guide builders and scripters in what they ought to learn in order to achieve particular measurable standards.
 
=== How will information on who is certified by made available? ===
Residents who are certified will be listed on a public website, along with what certifications they hold.
 
=== Can we do certification in Second Life? ===
At least one Resident has started building a set of in-world tasks that could become part of a certification system.  This seems preferable to having external tests/tasks.
 
== Certification Categories ==
Categories for certification will be varied, and will grow or shrink over time.
The basic principal behind the certification process is to provide as wide an array of subjects as possible, and involve residents with skills in these areas.
 
Currently the following categories are being developed at [[#Skills Lists|Skills Lists]] above.
 
The certification skillsets were completed in 3rd Quarter 2010 but will be reviewed as technology changes.
 
 
[[Category:Skills]]

Latest revision as of 05:36, 6 May 2011

SL Certification Project

Introduction

There are many classes on many different Second Life skills and all of the classes focus on different sets of abilities within each skill. The SL Certification Project's goal is twofold:

  • Create extensive and complete lists of abilities within as many different Second Life-specific skillsets as required by businesses and individuals in Second Life.
  • Create certification exams as another way, separate from portfolio, for Second Life residents and solution providers to prove their ability within a specific skillset.

SL Certification is a task-based approach to identifying those who have attained a given level of proficiency in world in a given knowledge and skills area. To become an SL Certification project participant, contact Orange Planer (Leader).

A list of certified individuals would be maintained and made publicly available.

Action Plan

Phase One - Develop Skills Lists

  1. The SL Certification Developers team uses volunteer moderators to:
    • Create and maintain a single schools list on the Second Life Wiki with links to their information locations showing what they teach.
    • Create and maintain multiple skills lists on the Second Life Wiki of one should know to attain levels of ability in those skillsets.
  2. The volunteer moderators keep the skills lists current.
  3. Schools will:
    • Educate those interested to reach those levels.
    • The schools will create learning content based on the certification criteria.
    • Remain responsible for their own existing certification programs.
  4. Residents will have a choice of where to go to learn the skills.
  5. Everyone has the benefit of a shared set of skills lists for reference.
    • Individuals have:
      • A checklist for managing their own skills education program.
      • A list of schools who are known to give classes on material they want to take.
    • Schools have:
      • The opportunity to be known for the classes they already make available.
      • The opportunity to offer new classes not yet available.
    • Solution Providers have a checklist for managing their employee skills education programs or checking skills levels of their contractors

Phase Two - Develop Skills Tests

  1. The SL Certification Developers team uses volunteer moderators to develop, test, and document:
    • Multiple skills tests of what people need to know, and know how to do, in multiple categories of Second Life skills
    • Use the best blends of testing methods including but not limited to: Written (True/False; Multiple Choice), Performance (Build; Texture; Plan)

Phase Three - Create A Mechanism For Establishing Certification Testing

  1. The SL Certification Developers team will identify one or more mechanisms to establish certification testing including:
    • Creating a group that would manage the examination process
    • Having schools or the certification group proctor exams
    • Having schools or the certification group grade the exams
    • Exam scores and tests will be kept in a database for which reporting will be available; the exact details shall be worked out at a later time, in particular, who will manage the database, who will have access to the database, what database shall be used, how access will be granted, and where the database will be stored, among others issues.

Phase Four - Certification in Operation

  • Linden Lab liaison reviews SL Certification Developer recommendations
  • Present plan for Executive Committee discussion, approval, budgeting
  • Target Q4 2010 to begin

Process Guides

SL Certification Process

Roles Guide

Certification Guide

Wiki Guide

Skills List Template

Company Lists

Education Companies / Schools

Moderator: Lady Hathaway

Skills Lists

  • In Phase One Action Plan these lists are sorted in the order they were first created.
  • In Phase Two Action Plan a logical grouping will be added to make subjects easier to find.

Moderators (subject matter experts)

Land Management Moderator: Annie Twilight
Texturing Moderator: [[User:|]]
Terraforming Moderator: Patrice Cournoyer
Scripting Moderator: Grandma Bates
Event Hosting Moderator: Linda Sautereau
Machinima Moderator: Toxic Menges
Building Moderator: Aquarius Paravane
Marketing Moderator: Ppmediadev Blinker
Second Life Tutoring Moderator: Orange Planer
Sculpty: Vickie Greenwood

Skills Tests

Skills tests are now being created. Creating the skills tests will be coordinated with when certification exams begin.

Meetings and Notes

Certification discussions, hosted by Orange Planer (2009/2010) and Emily Darrow (2008/2007)

4th Quarter 2008 Accomplishments

  • Team Leader Emily Darrow
  • Developed Action Plan
  • Schools List Up on Wiki

First Quarter 2009 Accomplishments

  • Team Leader Orange Planer
  • Additional Participation Generated by Post on XStreet
  • Ten Skills Lists Up on Wiki

Second Quarter 2009 Goals

  • Team Leader Orange Planer
  • Continue and Deepen Generation of Skills Lists
  • Begin Generation of Skills Tests
  • Identify 3rd Party testing companies to be used for certification process

Fourth Quarter 2009 Goals

  • Complete rough drafts of all certifications

First Quarter 2010 Goals

  • Acquire outside review of all certification requirements
  • Complete final revisions of all certification requirements

Linden Participation

Linden Lab is supporting the development of certification for the use of key Second Life tools. We’ll begin with in-world building tools and LSL. We believe this will benefit Residents, Developers, and anyone who wishes to use Second Life by clearly identifying both key skills and the holders of those skills. This will also enable the creation of training to build the skills required for certification.

Resident Participants

To list yourself as participating in the development of Linden Lab's SL Certification Project, add [[Category:SL Certification Participant|{{PAGENAME}}]] to your user page.


Certification Mailing List

https://lists.secondlife.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/slcertification

SL Certification Group

SL Certification Devs - request membership from Orange Planer in world. Membership is open to anyone who requests it. Meetings are announced here and in-world.

Meeting Announcements

March 20, 2010 at 9 AM SLT/PST. If you do not have the landmark, please ask Orange Planer in-world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the value of Certification?

The primary value of certification is to those hiring people to create content for them in SL. Specifically, it answers the question "where can I find a group of contractors that I can interview for work I need done?" Certification is a strong indication that someone has at least a minimum set of skills. Certification is only one of many ways to demonstrate competency.

Certification also provides a set of skills against which anyone in Second Life, whether they build for fun or for hire, can measure their accomplishments.

By more clearly defining skills related to Second Life tools, certification may improve the quality of construction in Second Life, and may encourage a broader range of instruction about the Second Life tools.

Portfolios already show if someone is competent; why do we need certification?

Not everyone has an extensive portfolio, despite obvious skill and talent. Portfolios have a valuable role in demonstrating accomplishment, both in RL and SL. In Second Life, many projects are done collaboratively. Builds can incorporate content that is bought and created, and many people can be involved. It can be hard to look at a project and understand what a particular person has contributed. Certification provides one method of demonstrating your own skill set. It should be only one of many potential ways to evaluate a candidate.

Is Linden Lab mandating certification?

You can chose to be certified if you want, or not. Linden Lab has no intent to monitor or mandate that Second Life content be created only by Residents with certification, or to mandate certification in any way. Nor will Certification (or non-certification) be tied by Linden Lab in any way to land ownership, group membership, membership level, or any other attribute of a Second Life account. While Linden Lab may provide a way for those listed in the Developer Directory to identify certification, it will not require it for the Developer Directory, Classifieds, Events, or any other Linden Lab-operated listing service.

Is Linden Lab mandating content of certification?

Linden Lab has engaged the Residents in defining the skills involved in competency, and in developing the appropriate demonstration of those skills. Linden Lab is not defining the skills nor the demonstration of them.

Will it cost money? Does Linden Lab intend to profit by Certification?

Linden Lab was looking to have a third party organization manage certification; we don't want the administrative hassle of doing it, nor the potential for anyone to claim that we would have influence on who gets certified. We intend to make certification as widely available as possible. We will work with Residents, Instructors and Developers to find the best way to enable certification.

Who will be providing the Certification service?

The SL Certification Developers group will be providing the certification service. SL Certification Developers welcomes input from anyone, although it reserves judgment on whether the input is valuable. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the certification service.

At this time, the only answer we can give is "Not Linden Lab." We will work with the Residents who participate in developing certification to find the best provider - whether a Resident, an external third party, or some other provider. Ironically, our original reason for only considering an external provider was to prevent any concern that one group of Residents might use Certification against other Residents. Linden Lab has no intent of operating the Certification service - we don't have the expertise or resources, nor do we want the inevitable accusations of bias.

Will certification make it harder to become competent in using Second Life tools?

Certification is a way to more clearly communicate skills. Without certification, everyone has their own idea of what competency is. Some classes will teach one set of skills, others another, and outcomes aren't comparable. That's why we're involving SL instructors in this project.

Learning to use SL Tools will still take the same amount of effort. Certification will help guide builders and scripters in what they ought to learn in order to achieve particular measurable standards.

How will information on who is certified by made available?

Residents who are certified will be listed on a public website, along with what certifications they hold.

Can we do certification in Second Life?

At least one Resident has started building a set of in-world tasks that could become part of a certification system. This seems preferable to having external tests/tasks.

Certification Categories

Categories for certification will be varied, and will grow or shrink over time. The basic principal behind the certification process is to provide as wide an array of subjects as possible, and involve residents with skills in these areas.

Currently the following categories are being developed at Skills Lists above.

The certification skillsets were completed in 3rd Quarter 2010 but will be reviewed as technology changes.