This is a blog to be written by students as they design their own private spaces - “homesteads” -  in a virtual world hosted by the Cornell Theory Center. Their world is one among a universe of worlds run by Scicentr.org. These students — you’ll meet them later — are  just beginning a computing curriculum in their newly outfitted computer lab. Every Tuesday, as we work on basic concepts like keyboarding skills, using a mouse, understanding ‘memory’, and saving files, we’ll also work on other literacy skills like writing for an audience, organizing ideas, and the old favorite — coming up with a topic. Every Wednesday, students will be “inworld” building their space. Both days, we will be working together in a real community space where these students not only learn, but live. Ultimately, these students will develop an understanding for the ’space’ of the internet, and as they research and design the shared space in their virtual world, they will be doing the same for this virtual space: their blog. They will be asked to consider questions at the interface of design and function as they think about what it might be like to visit and explore their virtual spaces, and how these spaces might serve as communication tools that allow them to reach beyond the real place we meet in twice a week. We hope you’ll visit us often as we tell you about what we’ve learned.