On the Second Life® web site, the following description is used to explain the Second Life®  concept:


"A 3-D virtual world created by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe.


* From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business.


* You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents. Because Residents retain intellectual property rights in their digital creations, they can buy, sell and trade with other Residents.


* The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly transactions. This commerce is handled with the inworld unit of trade, the Linden™ dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving online Linden dollar exchanges."

The LiveAbility House  Project at K-State
As one of the partners in the eXtension initiative, K-State is working with North Carolina State University within Second Life®  to create educational tools for consumers. The goal of this initial project is:


To raise public awareness of design features and assistive technology that can make it possible to remain in the home with physical or cognitive challenges due to aging, illness, or disability.

The project is still in development, but within the SL environment, a 3-D home has been built:
 

• The home integrates universal design features and assistive technology to demonstrate how homes can be built and adapted as people age, or for people with disabilities.

• Participants in The LiveAbility House Project will tour the home and see universal design features and assistive technology in place and in use within the home.

• They will be provided with learning objectives, information, and given the opportunity to participate in learning activities. For example, when participants click on a feature or device, they will be directed to a web page that provides the name, description, and a photograph of that feaure or item in use.

• Participants will be asked to evaluate their learning through an online survey at the end of their participation.
  
   
• To view the introduction that will be used within the SL environment for participants, click here.

• To see an example of a web page that features one of the devices, click here.