In this presentation we will describe the Kamimo project, a two year cooperation (2007-2008) between the University of Kalmar (Sweden), University College Molde (Norway) and Central Missouri University (USA) and sponsored by the Norwegian Open University (Norgesuniversitet). The project aims to investigate the potential uses of virtual worlds in higher education by carrying out a number of courses, projects and collaborative work in Second Life.  The project has established two virtual islands, Kamimo Island and Virtual Montmartre in cooperation with external consultants who have assisted with the building and establishment of the islands.   The main objectives of the project are to:  1) Create a stimulating virtual learning environment in SL   2)  Test and evaluate different teaching and learning activities in SL (courses, projects, meetings, roleplay)   3) Test and evaluate how effectively SL can be used in fostering cooperation (between faculties, universities, business)   4) Test selected learning tools or elements together with the virtual environment  The project supports learning activities for different segments of the partner organizations student populations as well as allowing for cross communication between the student bodies. We have offered two courses in English presentation skills run completely in Second Life, several student projects designing and building virtual environments in SL as part of an ongoing degree program, courses for information technology majors and further integration and testing of the virtual world elements for learning and for support of learning and communication between groups within the business sector. These activities are being evaluated and we aim to present research papers based on the findings at a later date.  Our partners at Central Missouri University have built a simulation of Montmartre, Paris as it was in the 1920s in order to provide students with an engaging and immersive learning environment for studies in Afro-American culture and in particular the growth of jazz in post-WW1 Paris. The use of virtual worlds to facilitate immersive role play and enable students to recreate convincingly the era they are studying is being investigated as part of the project and will be presented at the conference. In the evaluation of the project activities we have focused on examining how far teaching methods used in Second Life exhibit affective support for the involvement of learners. We examine how the use of virtual worlds can add a social dimension to distance learning not present in existing learning management systems.  In this presentation we will describe our reasons for working in Second Life, conclusions based on our teaching experience there, ongoing research and thoughts on the future relevance of virtual worlds in higher education. The presentation will use PowerPoint slides as well as a live demonstration of Second life and a meeting on our own Kamimo Island. Several of the project group will participate via Second life as well as possibly a representative from one of the other universities we have collaborated with over the last year.  The Kamimo project group consists of: Björn Jaeger, University College Molde (Norway) Judith Molka-Danielsen, University College Molde (Norway) Dr. Bryan Carter, Central Missouri University (USA) Alastair Creelman, University of Kalmar (Sweden) David Richardson, University of Kalmar (Sweden)  Project blog - http://kamimo-islands.blogspot.com/