Anthony Crider is an Associate Professor of Physics at Elon University in North Carolina.  He received is Ph.D. in space physics and astronomy from Rice University in 1999 and continued his research of gamma-ray bursts as a National Research Council associate at the Naval Research Laboratory. Before moving to Elon, Dr. Crider taught at American University where he coordinated the Multimedia Design and Development program. His interest in science visualization led him to create virtual planetariums, telescopes, and lunar landscapes within the 3D online world of Second Life.  In 2006, he co-founded the SciLands, an archipelago of Second Life islands dedicated to science education and outreach.  Currently, Dr. Crider is assessing the effectiveness of both Second Life and short role-playing games in his introductory astronomy courses.

 

(Photo Credit: Jerome Sturm)