Using the virtual meeting environment for education is an even more exciting killer app. Dozens of universities are buying land from us or working with other inworld providers every week and the pace is accelerating. Seventeen of the top twenty universities in the US have land in Second Life.

To keep track with what's happening in education in Second Life, check out the SLED Blog. A list of recent news stories are below

• The Christian Science Monitor discusses how students from all over the world are able to study abroad through Second Life.
• Government Executive.com writes how government agencies like the center for Disease Control and Prevention are increasing their presence in Second Life to increase public awareness.
• CNET reports that the San Francisco Exploratorium will be streaming live footage of a Solar Eclipse in Second Life expected on August 1st.
• The Industry Standard reports that Cigna will try to make health education more accessible by creating its own island in Second Life.
• ComputerWeekly.com discusses how the British Computer Society has launched an e-learning specialist group in Second Life.
• The Dallas Morning News presents an article on using Second Life for higher education.

What makes Second Life so amazing for these things is the interaction between students and between universities. Voice is the key enabler. With a headset, residents can talk with other residents just as they would in the real world. With the 3D spatial voice in Second Life, residents can walk from one conversation to another as if they were actually hanging out before or after class. Serendipitous conversations just aren't possible with other forms of online learning, teleconferences or videoconferences.