Meeting our Imaginary Friends
I have known Nick Noakes online for many, many years. He has proven to be an insightful and intelligent colleague, a reliable collaborator and a warm and caring friend. So I was thrilled when he came to Seattle last week for the Educase conference.
My husband coined the term (in our family context) "imaginary friend" in 1997 when I first started inviting people I knew online (at Electric Minds at that time) to my house for potlucks, or if they were traveling from out of town, to stay with us. The first time he was a bit freaked out, but he knows that over time I develop real relationships with wonderful people. Nick is no exception.
When people ask me - over and over again - if we can develop healthy, functional and "real" relationships with people online, I can unflinchingly say yes. Nick is a stellar example. I know of few people who so regularly offer themselves as guides to learning about new online spaces. He devoted a year to building "Boracay" Island in Second Life to explore how it could be used in learning. He has hosted hundreds of newbies and helped us find our way in Second Life. When someone needs a volunteer online facilitator, Nick says yes, even if it means staying up until 1am for the organizing meeting. (Nick is based in Hong Kong.)
I love my community and appreciate people like Nick Noakes!!
posted by Nancy White at 9:55 AM
5 Comments:
BORACAY, does Nick have some sort of filipino connection? link?
Nick is awesome. I'm glad you two got to spend time together. And am envious, of course.
Nick was my mentor in my foundations workshop and very helpful. Except that he doesn't look like the person in YOUr picture (I think there should be a law forbidding people to work with one picture online).
Hi Roland (hope you guys will be able to do NV in 08! .. say hi to Cyprien and Brian for me). I stayed in the RL Boracay (twice) back in '83. It was stunning then. The Second Life island is only like it in spirit alas - a relaxed space where everyone is welcome!
Joitske hehe .. age has hit me hard the last few years ... and headshot only photos online help with age reduction!
hi nick i've never been to boracay but have been to the philippines several times! we are working on NV08!
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