What is a Virtual World? According to ask.com, a Virtual World is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Virtual worlds are also called "digital worlds," "simulated worlds" and "MMOG's." There are many different types of virtual worlds, however there are six features all of them have in common:
1. Shared Space: the world allows many users to participate at once.
2. Graphical User Interface: the world depicts space visually, ranging in style from 2D "cartoon" imagery to more immersive 3D environments.
3. Immediacy: interaction takes place in real time.
4. Interactivity: the world allows users to alter, develop, build, or submit customized content.
5. Persistence: the world's existence continues regardless of whether individual users are logged in.
6. Socialization/Community: the world allows and encourages the formation of in-world social groups like teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.
Inclusion of Students with Special Needs in Online Learning Environments: Students with special needs can check the learning community's accessibility guidelines to see if their technology tools will work and are compatible with that system. Students with visual impairments can use a screen reader to access virtual worlds and online learning communities. Students with hearing impairments would need a text equivalent to any audio. This discussion listed several helpful websites as resources for information on web accessibility.
Educational Uses of Second Life: In this discussion thread people asked many questions, but got few answers on how to use Second Life in the classroom and with students. The general consensus about using Second Life with students was that it was difficult to use due to age restrictions. A teacher posted on the discussion thread that he did use different virtual environments with his students, Opensim and Edusim.
Thanks for breaking it down! Although this is all still a bit new for me I feel I understand it a bit better!
ReplyDeleteNice job! I like how you broke down the features of virtual worlds, it made it very easy to follow and understand. I also like how you incorporated usage for educators with special needs students.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the explanation of Virtual Worlds. It seems like a great tool for groups to use for communication and collaboration. I look forward to learning more about them.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I feel so out of the loop...thanks for the great breakdown of virtual worlds...I did not realize how involved they are.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to learn more about virtual worlds. I liked your summary. I know someone who is really into the game, Civilization, and now I know more about how these things work. I can see how it could appeal to students.
ReplyDeleteI really like your summary of how students with special needs can use virtual worlds. it's so important to be able to adapt these technology tools so that every student can learn about and enjoy the online community.
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