My name is John Lester (aka “Pathfinder”), and I’m an expert in 3D Simulations, Online Communities and Virtual Worlds for Education.
My blog “Be Cunning and Full of Tricks” focuses on virtual world development, knowledge management, education, collaboration and exploration.
Specific topics include Opensim, Hypergrid, Jibe, Unity3d, Augmented Reality, and how the future depends on creating thoughtful interconnections between different platforms for creativity.
You’ll also find a few short stories and attempts at humor in the mix.
I’m currently the Chief Learning Officer at ReactionGrid, a company that develops 3D simulations and virtual world platforms. Our focus is education, working with academics and businesses to help develop immersive learning environments.
From 2005-2010, I worked at Linden Lab, the creators of Second Life. At Linden Lab I led the development of the education and healthcare markets while evangelizing the innovative use of virtual worlds in academia, training and immersive entertainment.
Previously, I worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, creating online medical education and patient support communities while exploring the underlying neuroscience behind how people communicate and collaborate effectively.
I have broad expertise in the use of innovative tools to promote creativity and knowledge sharing in an educational context. Focusing on strategic planning and market development, he helps organizations succeed at online community, cultural and business development.
I hold weekly Online Office Hours and Tutorials, and conduct weekly tours of the Hypergrid with The Hypergrid Adventurers Club. I can also be found on Twitter as @Pathfinder.
For speaking engagements and other inquiries, please contact me directly at john.e.lester@gmail.com or via my profile on LinkedIn.
In the physical world, I live and work in Montréal, Quebec. Online, I can often be found in my Jibe virtual world or my personal Opensim grid.
For an example of my ideas about the future of virtual worlds and their use in business environments, check out this video interview at the Center for Digital Strategies at Tuck School of Business.
I am about to start my 20th year teaching; this year, Digital Media at a middle school in Tiburon. I loved your take on Snowcrash, one of my favorites, and will have my students at San Francisco State be required to read it. It is also something that my middle school students aren’t quite ready to accept, the humanity, because they are still forming as human beings, and the tween to early tween years are fraught with self-focused paranoia about fitting in.
I am going to re-focus on storytelling in Digital Media this year, and your emphasis on expression will help that creative process a lot, thanks.
Thanks, Jeff. Wish I had such a class when I was in middle school!
Storytelling in digital media is fascinating to me. Especially when you get into transmedia techniques. I’m planning to blog about those subjects in the near future and hope to get a good discussion going.
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Hey John,
I am so excited to have stumbled upon your work via @njsmyth’s blog! I have only scratched the surface but look forward to learning more about your work. All that AND you have Frith and El-Ahrairah for avatars. cool beans.
Thanks for the visit, Mike I just checked out your gamertherapist blog. Great stuff!
Hey John! Thanks for your site. I enjoy seeing who else is out there doing what we are doing. We’re going to open our doors today on the alpha of our MMO and invite you to come see us! Nice to virtually meet you.
Doug Glover
CEO
Slime Sandwich
John, I’m so tickled that I’ve found you blog! Thanks so much for sharing what you know with us. I’m wondering if you also tweet – didn’t find a Twitter ID anywhere.
My pleasure!
I’m very active on Twitter. You can find me as @Pathfinder
Hey Pathfinder.
Please could you add my blog (updated url) to your blogroll.
http://danielvoyager.wordpress.com/
Thanks!