Communicate with your institution regarding rules, regulations and set-up on Second Life. Some colleges and universities already have online presences on Second Life or rent classroom space on an as-needed basis from others.
Create a budget and obtain necessary funding if your university approves of the online classroom environment and does not already have a classroom site on Second Life. As in real life, you will need to negotiate terms with a real estate agent in Second Life if you want to purchase land. This requires a Second Life subscription account and additional Linden dollars. These must be purchased with actual money.
Enroll students using standard methods. Require that students provide an email address as a prerequisite for enrollment, if possible. Course guidelines should outline technical requirements for class participation.
Email a link to Second Life to students and instruct them to create a Second Life avatar with classroom appropriate clothing. Ask the students to provide you with their avatar information so you can add them to your friends list.
Rent or fully develop your virtual classroom. In Second Life, your classroom environment does not have to look like a real classroom---it might consist of objects relating to the theme of your class or take place in a private outdoor environment. For help on this, consider taking Ball State's Building 101 class.
Create privacy settings if you are on land you 'own' in Second Life. To do this, go to your land. Select the "World" menu in the upper left hand corner of your screen. Click on "About Land" and select the "Access" tab.
Add your students' avatar names to the "Access" list so they are able to access your classroom environment.
Begin orientation. Regardless of the class subject, expect to spend a fair amount of time introducing students to the Second Life virtual world and explain how it will be used to enrich their education. Test all microphones and begin your first class.
Provide course materials, syllabus and assignments through Second Life.