Edinburgh University Holds Virtual Graduation

McEwan Hall Roof (real)

The traditional university graduation ceremony with robes and mortar boards might be old fashioned, but it’s a symbolic event that many students find important. Unfortunately it’s one part of the university experience not usually available to those on distance learning courses.

Edinburgh University plans to change that with a virtual graduation ceremony in Second Life. Students graduating from the University’s E-Learning course will be able to attend a special ceremony in the virtual McEwan Hall. They’ll be able to download the relevant clothing for their avatars and there will even be a virtual bar for them to hang out in after the ceremony.

If the idea of a virtual graduation ceremony proves successful it could be extended to other distance learning courses.