Professional Work

Professional Work

See my complete CV for a full accounting of my professional experience. I also try to keep a fairly up-to-date list here with links to examples on the web.

Current Positions

IT Analyst, Project Manager for University of Cincinnati Second Life Project, University of Cincinnati

Second Life Ambassador, Ohio Learning Network, a consortium of 80 colleges and universities in Ohio.

Founder & Executive Director, Chilbo Community Building Project in the Chilbo Sim, Second Life

Instructor, Immersive Worlds, Avatars, and Second Lives, University of Manitoba

Publications, Peer Reviewed Articles, Books, Book Chapters

Seo, K.K., Curran, A., Jennings, N. and Collins, C.M. (2010) ‘Creating a new mobile learning community with podcasting’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp.103–114.

Cheong, D.U., Yun, S. & Collins, C. (2009). Is Second Life effective for pre-service teachers’ teaching practice?. In I. Gibson et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2009 (pp. 1418-1421). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Park, H., Jung, J. & Collins, C. (2008). Effect of the activities in the Second Life® as tool for mutual understanding of gender role. In K. McFerrin et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 1778-1783). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Rutz, Eugene, Chris M. Collins, and Mani Mina. (2008). “A Guided Tour of the Future of Education.” Continuing Professional Development Division and Engineering Research and Methods Division – Best Paper – PIC V. American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, 24 June 2008, Pittsburgh, PA USA. Pittsburgh: ASEE, 2008.

Collins, Chris M. (2008).  “Looking to the Future: Higher Education in the Metaverse“. EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 43, no. 5 (September/October 2008) (PDF version)

Seo, Kay, Amy Byk, and Chris Collins. (2008).  “Enriching Minds with Cognitive Apprenticeship Inspired Simulations”. _Digital Simulations for Improving Education: Learning Through Artificial Teaching Environments_. Ed. David Gibson and Young Kyun Baek. Hershey: IGI Global, 2008. Publication pending.

Seo, Kay, Andy Curran, Nancy Jennings, and Chris Collins. (2008).  “Lesson on the Go: Creating a New Mobile Learning Community with Podcasting”. Special issue on “Mobility: Adding Flexibility to Web-based Communities” in the International Journal of Web Based Communities. Publication pending.

Jennings, Nancy, and Chris Collins. (2007).  “Virtual or Virtually U: Educational Institutions in Second Life”. International Journal of Social Sciences, 2(3), 180-187. http://www.waset.org/ijss/v2/v2-3-28.pdf

Collins, Chris, and Nancy Jennings. (2007).  “Emerging ‘Best Practices’ for Campus Builds in Second Life”. In: D. Livingston and J. Kemp, eds. Proceedings of the Second Life Education Workshop 2007: Part of the Second Life Community Convention 2007, 24-26 August 2007 Chicago Hilton, US. pp. 78-81. Available from: http://cis.paisley.ac.uk/livi-ci0/slccedu2007rev2.doc

Collins, Chris. (2007).  “Progress Report: University of Cincinnati Second Life Learning Community”. University of Cincinnati Second Life Wiki. University of Cincinnati. 15 June 2007. Available from:
http://homepages.uc.edu/secondlife/docs/UCSLLC_PROGRESSREPORT_2007_June.pdf

Collins, Chris. 2nd ed. (2005).  “Blackboard Basics & Beyond: An Instructor’s Guide”. University of Cincinnati. Available from:

http://homepages.uc.edu/~collicn/Bb6_Instructor_Guide2nd_ed.pdf

Collins, Chris. 1st ed. (2004).  “Blackboard Basics & Beyond: An Instructor’s Guide”. University of Cincinnati. Available from:
http://homepages.uc.edu/~collicn/Bb6_Instructor_Guide.pdf

Media Appearances, Videos, Recordings

Second Life – Carte Blanche, South African TV news program (2010).  [In Second Life] Chris: ‘Lecture attendance in Second Life is very, very high. We find that students are intrigued by the possibility that their instructors are using a technology like Second Life. I think our students are really excited by the ability to create different kinds of content. So, instead of maybe writing a paper for a project in class, they’ll create or build something creative instead. So I’d say that attendance is very high.’

The advantages, and dangers, of social networking sites – radio interview on Impact Cincinnati, WVXU (2009).  f you have a Facebook, Twitter or MySpace account you’re not alone, millions of people now use these and other social networking sites, often revealing a surprising amount of personal information online.  Guests include:
University of Cincinnati Instructional & Research Computing department IT Analyst Chris Collins
Director of Online Technology for Northern Kentucky University’s College of Informatics, Chris Brewer

Real Biz in SL: University of Cincinnati, (2009).  Watch RealBiz host Cybergrrl Oh tour the Univ. of Cincinnati build with Chris Collins (Fleep Tuque in SL), Project Manager, UC Second Life Project, and see what they are learning with the Galapagos Project in Second Life

Orange Island Media Week – Discussion: Blogging Virtual Worlds, (2008) Panel discussion with Second Life residents Ordinal Malaprop, Koz Farina, Saffia Widdershins, Tara5 Oh, Fleep Tuque. Moderated by Malburns Writer & Tara Yeats. In Second Life, Orange Island. MP3

Metanomics and ISTE Speaker Series: Bridging the Virtual Worlds of Business & K-20 Eudcation. (2008)  On Tuesday, July 22, at 6 PM SLT, ISTE’s Kevin Jarret (KJ Hax in SL) interviewed Robert Bloomfield (Beyers Sellers in SL) and Chris Collins (Fleep Tuque in SL) in a lively, open discussion surrounding the question, “How can Metanomics, and the Metanomics archives, inform K-20 educators, librarians and instructional technologists who would like to use information about business and policy in virtual worlds?” MP3 and transcript

Draxtor Despres Reports on Business & Education in Second Life (2008) SL reporter interviews Fleep Tuque following her presentation at the vBusiness Expo conference held in April 2008.

Metanomics Series – Higher Education in Second Life:
Can virtual worlds change the business of education? Cornell Professor Robert Bloomfield interviews Chris Collins (SL: Fleep Tuque) from the University of Cincinnati and Benn R. Konsynski (SL: Rejin Tenjin) from Emory University.

“Distance Education on the MUVE: A Place to Go to Learn Together Without Leaving Home” National Distance Learning Week event hosted by International Society for Technology in Education: This event will be moderated by Chris Collins (SL: Fleep Tuque), Second Life Ambassador for the Ohio Learning Network and IT Analyst at the University of Cincinnati, and begin with a welcome from Jennifer Ragan-Fore (SL: Kittygloom Cassady), Director, General Membership Program, ISTE. Speakers will each give a brief presentation using voice chat which will be followed by a general Q&A session, concluding with a more personal “meet the presenter” campfire chat (using text) at the beach area adjacent to the ISTE Island auditorium.

Second Life Best Practices in Education International Conference 2007 – An Observational Study of Educational Institutions in the Virtual World of Second Life: Chris Collins (SL: Fleep Tuque), co-chair of the SL Best Practices in Education 2007 conference and IT Analyst at the University of Cincinnati – “An observational survey of educational institutions in the virtual world of Second Life” – Chris delivers a preliminary report on an observational study of 170 educational institutions with a group or land presence in Second Life as of May 2007. The study focuses on features of the virtual campuses and how land space is being used in Second Life. The study was co-authored by Dr. Nancy Jennings (SL: Sweetpea Sunnyside), also of University of Cincinnati, who could not be present at SLBPE.

Podcasting Basics for Educators, Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati: This class will be led by Chris Collins, Podcasting Coordinator for UCit and a leader in the implementation of this technology across campus. The program will cover the following topics: Podcasting 101 – what is it, how does it work, what do you need to do to get started? The integration of podcasting into UC’s Blackboard system in Winter Quarter 2007. The benefits of using this innovative new technique to support either your traditional on-campus class or a distance-learning course. Join us for this informative session to discover how you can connect with the iPod generation in your courses.

President’s Quality Service Award 2002 – Blackboard Support Team & Faculty Technology Resources Center:
Blackboard, UC’s interactive course management system, reaches more than 20,000 students and supports more than 1,500 courses per quarter. In addition to Blackboard, this team staffs the Faculty Technology Resources Center, responding to more than 1000 e-mails a month, hundreds of walk-in visits per quarter and more than 1,200 phone calls a quarter. Despite the high volume, the team’s response time is measured in hours, not days.

Events & Conferences
Organizer/Moderator

Instructional/Integration Coordinator, Virtual Worlds Lab, Ohio Educational Technology Conference 2010.

Co-Chair, Second Life Education Community Convention 2008 (SLEDcc), part of the Second Life Community Convention 2008.

Co-Chair, Second Life Best Practices in Education International Conference 2007

Stage Manager, American Cancer Society – Second Life Relay for Life 2007

In-World Moderator, EDUCAUSE 2007 Hot Topic Discussion on Virtual Worlds

Moderator, International Society for Technology in Education – National Distance Learning Week Panel

Technical Consultant, Digital Future Summit 2.0, New Zealand

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

2009 Presentations

* January 6, 2009 – “Possible, Probable, and Preferable Future of Education in Virtual Worlds”. Panelist. Second Life Educators Roundtable.

* February 12, 2009. “Developing Leadership & New Student Services with Emerging Technology”. Invited speaker. University of Cincinnati Student Services.

* February 21-24, 2009 – Debate: Virtual Worlds Are the Second Life for Online Learning (Pro-Virtual Worlds Position). Invited Speaker. eLearning 2009, Instructional Technology Council. Hilton Portland and Executive Tower. Portland, Oregon.

* March 9, 2009. “Tech Tools for Teachers”. Presentation to Dr. Janet Zydney’s Multimedia Studio III course.

* March 13, 2009. “Welcome to the Metaverse: Trademarks in Virtual Worlds.” Co-Presenter with Anne Chasser, VP of Intellectual Property, University of Cincinnati, and Lynda Roesch, Partner, Dinsmore & Scholl, LLP. Dayton Intellectual Property & Law Association. University of Dayton. Dayton, OH.

* March 23, 2009. “Web 2.0 and Second Life”. Presentation to UC Student Services – Academic Excellence and Support Services.

* April 16, 2009. “University of Cincinnati Galapagos Islands in Second Life.” Private presentation to Dr. John Van Whye, visiting scholar and director of Darwin Online, University of Cambridge.

* April 22, 2009. “Second Life Bootcamp.” Presentation to Dr. Wendy Eisner’s Women in Science course.

* September 21, 2009. “Trademarks in Virtual Worlds.” Co-Presenter with Anne Chasser, VP of Intellectual Property, University of Cincinnati, and Lynda Roesch, Partner, Dinsmore & Scholl, LLP. Trademark Administrators Conference, International Trademark Association. Chicago, IL.

2008 Presentations

* January 18, 2008 – Presentation to University of Cincinnati President Nancy Zimpher and Cabinet, “Looking to the Future: Education in Virtual Worlds”. University Pavillion, University of Cincinnati.

* January 25, 2008 @ 1PM EST – “Looking to the Future: Education in Second Life” – given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* January 28, 2008 @ 2PM EST – Potential uses of Second Life for service learning and community engagement. Given to Prof. Nancy Jennings’ 08W_15COMM429 course with special guests Al Hearn from the Center for Community Engagement and representatives from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati History Museum, Cincinnati Art Musem, and Disabled American Veterans, based in Cold Spring, KY.

* February 6, 2008 – Panel discussion – Virtual Worlds in Education: Beyond the Second Life Hype. Given to the Technology and Education conference at Sinclair Community College, and sponsored by the Southwestern Council for Higher Education and the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities.

* February 7, 2008 @ 12PM EST – “Web 2.0 & Virtual Worlds” – given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* February 15, 2008 @ 10AM EST – Ohio Learning Network Second Life Event given to Ohio Learning Network participants. In-world.

* February 22, 2008 @ 2:30PM EST – “Looking to the Future: Education in Second Life” – given to Clermont College faculty, a branch campus of the University of Cincinnati.

* March 1 – 4, 2008 – “Second Life Bootcamp” Sunday March 2 @ 1PM, pre-conference workshop and “Innovation Island: Creating a campus in Second Life” at the Ohio Digital Commons for Education 2008 conference. Columbus, Ohio.

* March 6, 2008 – Ohio Learning Network Second Life Event given to Ohio Learning Network participants. In-world.

* March 21, 2008 – Pedagogy in Second Life. Emerging Technologies Committee, Shippenburg University. In-World.

* March 24, 2008 – Second Life – What Is It, How Does It Work, and How Can I Get One? Pre-Conference Workshop, Texas Distance Learning Association Annual Conference. In-world. Co-Presenting with Chris Duke (SL: Topher Zwiers), Kathy Roosa (SL: Katje Broek), and Nancy Jennings (SL: Sweetpea Sunnyside).

* March 28, 2008 – “Technology Tools You Can Use” given to the Women’s Leadership Conference 2008, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* April 8, 2008 – “Searching the Web”. Presentation to Dr. Pama Mitchell’s Investigative Reporting course, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* April 16, 2008 – “Podcasting Basics for Educators”. Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* April 17, 2008 – “The Rewards of Teaching in Second Life”. Guest speaker, IACON – Iowa Distance Learning Association. Cedar Rapids, IA. In-World presentation.

* April 17, 2008 – “Second Life – Teaching Tips”. Ohio Learning Network. In-world.

* April 21, 2008 – Second Life Bootcamp. Pre-Conference workshop, US Distance Learning Association 2008 Annual Conference. St. Louis, Missouri. Co-Presenting with Chris Duke (SL: Topher Zwiers), Kathy Roosa (SL: Katje Broek), and Nancy Jennings (SL: Sweetpea Sunnyside). St. Louis, Missouri.

* April 25, 2008 – Pedagogy in Virtual Worlds. Columbus State Community College. In-World.

* April 26, 2008 – Selling the Idea of Virtual Worlds to Stakeholders. Speaker in the Education Track of the vBusiness Expo Spring 2008. In-World.

* May 3, 2008 – An Overview of Education in Second Life. Presented in the Educational Possibilities of Second Life Series. In-World.

* May 16, 2008 – Second Life for Educators. Technology Series Workshops, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* May 19, 2008 – Ohio Learning Network in Second Life. Learning Communities Expo, Ohio Learning Network. Columbus, Ohio.

* May 20, 2008 – Second Life for Educators. Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* May 23, 2008 – Second Life Goals for 2009. Panel discussion, Ohio Learning Network. In-World.

* May 29, 2008 – “Podcasting Basics for Educators”. Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* June 13, 2008 – “Education in Second Life”. Invited speaker, Wolverines Brown Bag Luncheon, University of Michigan. In-world.

* June 19, 2008 – “Podcasting in Education: Connecting with the iPod Generation”. Presentation given at Innovative Educators, Increasing Enrollment and Retention via Technology: Blending High Tech and High Touch. Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati, Ohio.

* July 10, 2008 – “Podcasting Basics for Educators”. Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* July 14, 2008 – “Web 2.0 & Virtual Worlds” – given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* July 19, 2008 – “Second Life as Educational/Training Tool”, panel discussion. BlogHer ‘08. San Francisco, CA and in Second Life.

* July 22, 2008 – Metanomics and ISTE Speaker Series: Bridging the Virtual Worlds of Business & K-20 Eudcation, interview by Kevin Jarret, ISTE, with Robert Bloomfield, Cornell University. In Second Life, ISTE.

* July 29, 2008 – Orange Island Media Week – Discussion: Blogging Virtual Worlds, panel discussion with Second Life residents Ordinal Malaprop, Koz Farina, Saffia Widdershins, Tara5 Oh, Fleep Tuque. Moderated by Malburns Writer & Tara Yeats. In Second Life, Orange Island. MP3

* August 14, 2008 – “This is Second Life!” Invited panelist. North American Council for Online Learning. Online.

* August 18, 2008 – “Podcasting Basics for Educators”. Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning, University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* August 22, 2008 – “Web 2.0: Tech Tools You Can Use”. Career Development Center Retreat. Cincinnati Marriott at River Center. Covington, Kentucky.

* September 18, 2008 – “Web 2.0 Workshop”. Clermont College Faculty Retreat. Clermont College. Batavia, Ohio.

* November 5-8, 2008 – “Lesson on Demand!: Mobilizing Classroom Learning with Podcasts” Kay Seo, Andrew Curran, Nancy Jennings, and Chris Collins. Invited paper. Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) 2008. (Proposal accepted, presentation pending.) Orlando, Florida.

* November 10-11, 2008. “Looking to the Future: UC’s Virtual Campus”. Collins, Chris. Invited speaker. Colloquium: 50 Years of Computing at the University of Cincinnati. University of Cincinnati. Cincinnati, Ohio.

* November 23, 3008 – “To Speak or Not to Speak: Use of Voice in Second Life“. Invited paper. Jennings, Nancy and Chris Collins. National Communication Association 2008 Annual Conference. (Proposal accepted, presentation pending.) Manchester Grand Hyatt – San Diego, California.

2007 Presentations

* January 9, 2007 – “Second Life for Educators” tour given to Ohio Learning Network participants. In-world.

* January 19, 2007 – Presentation to Advanced Composition Class by invitation of Wayne Hall, Vice Provost for Faculty Development. McMicken Hall, University of Cincinnati.

* February 28, 2007 – Collaborative meeting with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to discuss the possibility of forming a virtual Freedom Center in Second Life. Edwards, University of Cincinnati.

* April 5, 2007 – “Report on the activities of the UC Second Life Learning Community” given to the E-Communications Planning Committee. University Pavilion, University of Cincinnati.

* April 12, 2007 – “Second Life for Educators” tour given to Ohio Learning Network participants. In-world.

* April 19, 2007 – “The Future of Libraries in Second Life” given to the OhioLINK 2-year Directors Meeting. At OhioLINK office in Columbus, OH.

* April 26, 2007 – “Looking to the Future: Education in Second Life” given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* May 14, 2007 – Repeat session: “Looking to the Future: Education in Second Life” given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* May 15, 2007 – “Training & Introduction to Second Life” given to staff from the University Libraries group. 406 Zimmer Hall, University of Cincinnati.

* May 25, 2007 – “Observational study of educational institutions in the virtual world of Second Life” given to the Second Life Best Practices in Education: Teaching, Learning, Research conference. In-world.

* June 13, 2007 – Second Life session for Instructional Technology Day, given by the Academic & Information Technology Libraries in the Academic Health Center. MSB, University of Cincinnati.

* June 15, 2007 – Progress report on the UC Second Life Learning Community, for the Learning Communities Initiative Expo through the Ohio Learning Network. Newark, OH.

* June 23, 2007 – Presentation to visiting graduate students from Korea National University of Education. 406 Zimmer Hall.

* July 12, 2007 – Meeting visiting scholars from Jeju National University in South Korea, to discuss future of virtual worlds.

* August 24-26, 2007 – Poster presentation entitled “Emerging Best Practices in Second Life Education” at the Second Life Community Convention’s Education track by Chris Collins and Nancy Jennings. Poster and Report: http://homepages.uc.edu/secondlife/index.php/Site/SLCC2007Poster

* September 21, 2007 – 3:30PM EST – Pensacola Jr. College – Panel participant to introduce educators and administrators of the institution to Second Life. Elysian Isle, Elysian Isle Square (SL) – http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elysian%20Isle/230/135/25/

* September 28, 2007 – 2:30PM EST – Pensacola Jr. College – Panel participant to introduce educators and administrators of the institution to Second Life. Elysian Isle, Elysian Isle Square (SL) – http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elysian%20Isle/230/135/25/

* October 4, 2007 – “Orientation to SL” presentation to Dr. Nancy Jennings’ 15COMM429 class. 406 Zimmer Hall, University of Cincinnati.

* October 12, 2007 – “Avatars and Identity” presentation to Dr. Nancy Jennings’ 15COMM429 class. 406 Zimmer Hall, University of Cincinnati.

* October 16, 2007 – 10:00 AM EST – “Looking to the Future: Education in Virtual Worlds” given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* October 16, 2007 – 8:30PM EST – “Second Life for Educators” given to scholars from Korea National University of Education, by invitation of Dr. Young Baek. In Second Life using Voice Client.

* October 22, 2007 – 11:00AM EST – “Orientation to SL” presentation to Dr. Wendy Eisner’s Women in Science course. Braunstein Rm 422, University of Cincinnati.

* October 25, 2007 – 3:00PM EST – In-World Moderator for EDUCAUSE 2007 “Hot Topic Discussion” presentation on Virtual Worlds, with AJ Kelton, Montclair State University. Simultaneously in Seattle, WA and the USC Center on Public Diplomacy island, Second Life.

* October 26, 2007 – 11:00AM EST – “Second Life Newbie Q&A” given to Ohio Learning Network participants. OLN Island, Second Life.

* November 14, 2007 – 9:00PM EST – National Distance Learning Week, “Distance Education on the ‘MUVE’” hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Panel moderator. In Second Life.

* November 16, 2007 – 2:00PM EST – “Building in Second Life”, presentation given to freshman class in the Construction Management program at College of Applied Science. CAS Auditorium.

* November 19, 2007 – “Looking to the Future: Education in Second Life” given to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning. Langsam Library, University of Cincinnati.

* November 20, 2007 – 8:00AM – “Second Life and Service Learning”, presentation to the Faculty/Community Partner Networking Breakfast held by the Center for Community Engagement. 2634 Stratford Avenue.

* November 20, 2007 – 10:00 – “Second Life and Distance Learning”. presentation to the UC Distance Learning Taskforce. 220 Van Wormer Hall.

Articles & Essays

UCit Now Winter 2008:
UC’s Second Life Community Looks Ahead
Podcast Lectures Big Hit with Students

UCit Now Summer 2007:
UCit Awarded Grant to Study Virtual World of Second Life

UCit Now Fall 2005:
New Blackboard Tool Links Syllabi to Learning Opportunities

UCit Now Fall 2004:
What’s New in Blackboard for Instructors and Students

“Traditional Learning Spaces in Virtual Worlds” Essay for the University of Cincinnati Second Life Learning Community. (2008)

“What Does Your Avatar Say About You?” Essay for the University of Cincinnati Second Life Learning Community (2007)

Honors & Awards

* PIC V – Best Paper: Rutz, Eugene, Chris M. Collins, and Mani Mina. “A Guided Tour of the Future of Education.” Continuing Professional Development Division and Engineering Research and Methods Division – Best Paper – PIC V. American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, 24 June 2008, Pittsburgh, PA USA. Pittsburgh: ASEE, 2008.

* Grant award: University of Cincinnati Second Life Learning Community, awarded by the Ohio Learning Network, 2007.

* Honoree for Extraordinary Blackboard Support, University of Cincinnati, 2004.

* President’s Quality Service Award 2002 – Blackboard Support Team & Faculty Technology Resources Center