College of Education hosts its first ever virtual graduation

Posted: Apr 15, 2011

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Education (COE) Department of Educational Technology will host its inaugural virtual graduation ceremony at the COE Second Life (SL) Island on Friday, May 6, 2011 from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Launched last month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the COE SL island features a replica of Diamond Head Amphitheatre where the graduation will take place. Other COE SL island locations include Wist and Everly Halls, a Holomua Learning Area, a Get FIT program tree house, Hale Anuenue dormitory, and a dockside coffee shop.

”We are very excited that for the first time we will be able to have all of our educational technology graduates – both online and on-campus cohorts – participating in our virtual graduation,” said Peter Leong, assistant professor of educational technology. “In the past, the majority of graduates from our online cohorts were unable to attend the actual commencement ceremony here at UH Mānoa due to time and resource constraints. Some of our students are planning to host actual parties at their locations to coincide with the virtual graduation and have their families and friends watch them walk in the virtual graduation ceremony.”

The Dean of the College of Education will give the commencement address and will confer virtual diplomas to the educational technology graduates. Following the official ceremony, the celebration will continue with a social activity and dance.

For more information about the virtual graduation and the COE SL Island, please contact Leong at peterleo@hawaii.edu or visit the COE SL Island.