Hey there guys and gals. I've got something epic going down that I felt needed to be shared here.

I work for Texas State Technical College and I would like to officially announce on their behalf that we will be offering a fully accredited certificate and degree for digital media in Second Life.

If you qualify, and are interested, please apply ASAP. The official press release went out today (to follow) and is already being picked up by some of the bigger news names.

Only the first 15 accepted applicants will be accepted into the launch program. That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply though! We'll be doing this from here on! The benefits for the first 15 are scholarships and official "guinea pig" status.

Oh, and did I mention the software? Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office...just to name a few! You'll get these FOR FREE if you're accepted to the program. The total package is worth around $1000.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME ON dA, E-MAIL, MSN, YAHOO, AIM, OR THROUGH SECOND LIFE AND I WILL PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

dA - jake10684
e-mail - jacob.bedgood@gmail.com
msn - jake10684@hotmail.com
yahoo - jake_at_tstc
AIM - Jake Bedgood
Second Life - jake10684 Painter (please send a notecard)

Hopefully I haven't left anything out...

OH YEAH, VISIT OUR WEBISTE!

[link]


PRESS RELEASE
*****

TSTC First to Offer Accredited College Certificate and Degree Programs in Virtual Worlds

(ABILENE) – Texas State Technical College (TSTC) will transcend traditional online education, by being the first to offer a fully-online accredited certificate in a virtual world. Beginning fall ’08, TSTC will be offering a Digital Media certificate utilizing virtual world technology using Second Life as the primary delivery method.

“The 3D environment, which makes the virtual world so real you can almost reach out and touch it, offers students the opportunity to participate in an online learning community, and fully immerses the learner in a stimulating online experience,” said Chris Gibson, Associate Vice President of Educational Technology. Students interested in the digital media field will also have the opportunity to further their education by earning an associate degree in Digital Media in spring 2009.

“To our knowledge, we are the first institution of higher education to develop a complete online certificate or degree in the virtual world,” added Gibson. “We, at TSTC believe once students are exposed to this form of highly interactive education, they will drive this evolution of online education.”

The Digital Media certificate will include courses in computer applications, professional development, basic graphic design, digital imaging, digital publishing, computer illustration, fundamentals of photography and design communication. Class size is limited and registration is available until August 22. Visit [link] for more information or contact Donnie Armstrong at donnie.armstrong@tstc.edu (325.235.7414 or IM to Mater Gamba).