Where Knowledge & Education Are Always Free

TLE Educational Network Mission

"History is a race between education and catastrophe," H.G. Wells wrote. TLE Educational Network in Second Life is our contribution to the side of education and, with development of its plans, can become a powerful global force in ensuring that catastrophe is the ultimate loser in this race.

TLE's mission is a simple, yet ambitious one: to enhance all people's understanding of our natural world and the diverse cultures that inhabit it. TLE Educational Network is a virtual education center, and coupled with SL and the Web, it is far more than these words suggest. TLE is revolutionizing virtual education through our existing builds on more than seven sims, and plans for future projects.

Why is TLE's approach so revolutionary?

We do not provide the "curriculum," but rather the environment and tools people need to teach, learn, share, explore, and grow in understanding. We are the container that is being filled by the work of people around the globe and is freely available to any SL resident.  For example, through our technologically cutting-edge virtual education venues and tools, we offer teachers of any subject the opportunity to share their expertise. The TLE Publishing House provides the mechanism for producing and distributing the research and wisdom of experts on almost any topic. Our Creative Showcases provide the facilities for creative individuals in all areas of the arts to share their work with the world.

The key to the success of TLE's mission is that all of these opportunities are free, both to those who share (e.g., teachers, artists) and to those who consume the education. All TLE-sponsored classes, events, exhibits, simulations, etc., are free (with the single exception that books in-world cost one Linden).

But TLE Educational Network is about more than just education: our goal is to increase understanding and acceptance of all people and cultures in the world, and thus reduce conflict, prejudice, and hatred around the globe. For example, our Military History Museum Annex is built from bricks that honor any individual of any time or place who has served in, or has been killed or maimed because of an act of war or terrorism. The goal is to replace fear and divisiveness with understanding and acceptance showing we are all citizens of the same world.

The vision of bringing the world's people closer together through learning about diversity is expressed in many other ways, as well--e.g., an exhibit with the history of the five major world religions; a multimedia exhibit about the major holidays celebrated by different cultures around the world; an animal museum with lifelike wildlife and habitats from all seven continents.

TLE Educational Network is a mini-world within SL of beautiful, high-quality builds, using leading-edge technology including a staff of more than 30 visionary SL residents collaborating and innovating to further the mission of Linden Lab's, which is to "connect all people to an online world that advances the human condition."

While the learning opportunities are currently in SL only, the understanding extends far beyond the virtual world to real lives of SL residents and their communities, where education and knowledge can better their lives.

Overview

The Revolutionary Approach Of TLE Educational Network

TLE Educational Network