Teacher resource for Ed Games

This site offers a wide variety of different games for different grade levels and curricular content. The reason for mentioning it is that most of these type of sites I have come across are directed towards elementary learners, were as this site offered some resources for upper grades.

Here is the address:
http://www.funbrain.com/teachers/index.html

Teacher resource for Ed Games

This site offers a wide variety of different

Smart Cycle

Toy makers are targeting the younger ages with both mental and physical activity. Fisher Price has a interactive game for kids to learn and exercise, they call it the "Smart Cycle". I think that this approach makes sense, especially with the increasing obesity rate of Americans and American youth.

Quick & Dirty Tips: Traveling Avatar

A podcast from the same site as the famous Grammar Girl series:

The Traveling Avatar provides short and useful tips for getting the most out of SECOND LIFE™, a multi-layered 3D virtual world. Whether you're just curious, a new player, or an intermediate player, this podcast will make your Second Life experience more fun and efficient. Traveling Avatar is hosted by Will Ross. The Traveling Avatar is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast.

Add it to your list of favorite podcasts!

Game Theory?

While at a team building event at work about two weeks ago, one participant exclaimed it is better that everyone loses the game, as opposed to just him. He said it's human nature and referenced "game theory". I just had to look it up.

Game Theory in Wikipedia

Older Adults and Educational Tech

I think it's fascinating that an entire series of educational games has hit the market targeting older adults. They are all written for the Nintendo DS so it appears that handwriting recognition may have been a real key to appealing to this audience. Check out Brain Age, Brain Age 2, Big Brain Academy and My Word Coach

Older Adults and Educational Tech

I think it's fasinating that entire series of eductaional gamnes has hit the market targeting older adults. They are all written for the Nintendo DS so it appears that handwriting recognition may have been a reall key to appealing to this adience. Check out Brain Age, Brain Age 2, Big Brain Academy and My Word Coach

Older Adults and Educational Tech

I am finsing it interesting that

Tactical Language and Culture

I don't know if I feel proud, or frightened by this finding, but this is a real world example of customized  simulations training our armed forces in multi-cultural interactions. I mean seriously, look at the email address: http://www.tacticallanguage.com/gettingthem.html. Also, the company logo is just itching for a cross-hair to be drawn across the dot in the "i" of "Tactical"!

The premise of this product is excellent, as this knowledge and skill-set is critical. Its training focuses on how to communicate in foreign languages and cultures. As it was designed for the U.S. Military, its current menu of activities include learning groups called Tactical Iraqi, Tactical Pashto and Tactical French. These courses are to be used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa and focus on teaching vocabulary, language and cultural knowledge. To convey this information, skill builders, arcade games and mission games are used. The interactivity and graphics resemble Second Life. And there is plenty of feedback with colored signs indicating if communicated correctly or not.

Tactical Language and Culture

I don't know if I feel proud, or freightened by this , but this is a real world example of simulations training our armed forces in multi-cultural 

SL Luxury Cruise Ship

We all need vacations so what makes us think that our avatars do not? You, well your avatar, can take a SL cruise and enjoy all of the relaxing activites found on RL cruises. SL cruises are similar to RL cruises except for one tiny element, the ship does not move. Avatars can run on the track, sunbathe, go to the spa, gamble, admire the art, dance, gamble, swim, shop, eat, or many other activities you would enjoy on a RL cruise. The ship is named the S.S. Galaxy and is employed by many SL residents and even has a ice-skating rink! The ship is run by Captain Seaton Skolnick, who takes time out to chat and answer questions with other avatars. Does your avatar need a vacation?
Thanks to Second Seeker for providing information about the S.S.Galaxy

SL Flying Spaghetti Monster

A flying spaghetti monster has been spotted in SL! I researched the issue and found some interesting information. Apparently, in 2005 a student, Bobby Henderson, in Kansas sent a letter to the Kansas Board of Education asking them to stop teaching evolution in science classes. He coined the flying spaghetti monster as a symbol of what he believed in against the teachings of evolution as a science in educational facilities. He even created CoFSM (Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster). Henderson had a large following in his spaghetti monster beliefs and fight against the Kansas Board of Education. His fight to stop the teaching of evolution in public education proved unsuccessful in Febrary 2007, when his request was rejected. However, the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster) has been spotted flying around Second Life to this day! Have you seen it?
Thanks to Wikipedia for providing background info on the FSM

Second Life and virtual games on TV

Has anyone noticed lately that TV is getting on the SL / virtual game bandwagon? Several popular TV shows have featured SL in their episodes this season. The October 24th episode of CSI: NY features a case of a virtual stalker turned killer and has its lead character Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) creating his own avatar so he can enter the virtual world to find the killer.

Viewers of the show were invited to become part of the plot by clicking a link on CBS' website to register on SL where a CSI virtual world has been created. The site is geared toward the CSI: NY fan and offers three different options depending on the level of SL knowledge and curiosity. Viewers can "walk" around virtual New York buildings and visit a CSI lab and play forensic games like "Facial Reconstruction". Or they can play a game called “Murder by Zuiker” (Anthony Zuiker is the creator of the show), a unique murder plot which can be solved by users finding clues. The 100 people who come closest to solving the murder win virtual gifts. The most involvement offers viewers the ability to become CSI investigators, complete with field kit and tools. They can interview suspects and try to solve the murder featured in the actual CSI: NY episode. The episode itself ended in a cliff-hanger and the solution will be revealed in an episode in February.

Other TV shows to feature SL or the virtual gaming world this season have been Law & Order: SVU, The Office and Numb3rs. Look for more references to SL and the virtual world in other shows - that is if they ever settle the writers strike!

Second Life on TV

Has anyone noticed lately that TV is getting into the SL

Second Life on TV

Has anyone noticed lately that TV is getting

Belgian Police decides to patrol Second Life after virtual rape case

The details about the case were not revealed, but two Belgian newspapers reported early this year that the Belgian Police would setup an in-game patrol unit to investigate virtual rape incidents.

Absurd as it sounds, the event spurred a myriad of discussions around the web, from sexologists arguing that even virtual rape can be a traumatic experience to online gamers that wondered the technical details that enabled a virtual rape to occur in the first place (in fact it is hard to conceive how someone would not be able to simply turn the computer off…).

Training the Gamer Generation

Anyone born between 1980 and 2001, plays any computerized game more than 5 hours a week and is Internet saavy can be considered what is called a "gamer". As Baby Boomers retire, the Gamers are infiltrating the workforce. To accommodate the gamers' technologically advanced status, training for these employees must be modified from the traditional static nature. Gamers need training that can engage and hold their attention in order to be effective. As a result, the job of training departments has increased in difficulty to accommodate this demand.

One example of modifying a popular game to help transfer knowledge more effectively while keeping the learner's attention is a spin on the game of Hangman. Instead of randomly choosing letters to guess the word, the learner is given the definition and must use this definition to guess the word. This tweak in game play encourages the learner to continue to think about the word's definition as the game is played thus helping to transfer knowledge of the word. One other tweak is rather than display a man getting hung, an image of a roadrunner getting caged in represents the time and amount of chances the player has. This change seems a bit more on the positive side. 

http://www.learningcircuits.org/2006/February/kapp.htm

Training the Gamer Generation

Anyone born between 1980 and 2001 and plays any computerized game more than 5 hours a week

Stagecoach Island

Wells Fargo has developed a virtual world complete with mortgages, checking accounts, and taxes as a means of teaching teens how to manage their finances.

• More on Stagecoach Island from Mashable.
• Stagecoach Island website.

News> Virtual Theft = Real Arrest

From BBC News:

'Virtual theft' leads to arrest

"A Dutch teenager has been arrested for allegedly stealing virtual furniture from "rooms" in Habbo Hotel, a 3D social networking website."

The Second Lives of San Diegans

On my way out of Trader Joe's the other day, I grabbed the most recent version of the San Diego Reader. I was intrigued by the cover, which depicted a split image comparing a RL person and her SL avatar.

Very cool.

The article featured various San Diegans who have joined SL and the observations of SL newbie, journalist Geoff Bouvier. I enjoyed Bouvier's reactions and interactions as a new SL member, and sympathetically chuckled as I reflected upon my own experiences.

More than once, our very own San Diego State University was mentioned. In fact, the owner of Diegoland (SL location: 216,150,34), Champion Valiant, wants to create a mock SDSU and feature it as a famous San Diego landmark!


(I have yet to visit Diegoland. Have you?)



You can read more about Diegoland and other happenings inworld by perusing an actual SL "newspaper" called The Seventh Sun.

See you inworld!

Kongregate

I like the concept behind Kongregate It is a site with many small flash-based games. The site shares ad revenues with the developers. As I use more and more rapid development e-learning tools in my own work, and the need for full time Flash developers becomes much less than it used to be, it is nice to see that there are still avenues for Flash creativity.

About Kongregate
Founded in 2006 and currently in a state of heavy development, Kongregate seeks to create the leading online hub for players and game developers to meet up, play games, and operate together as a community.
By wrapping user-submitted Flash games with various community features, Kongregate's site serves as a unique way for users to play great web-based games alongside friends. Anyone can add their own games to Kongregate’s library in a process that’s fast and simple.
Kongregate operates with an understanding of how difficult it can be for talented game developers - from the aspiring gamesmith to the independent studio - to get the recognition and compensation that they deserve. That's why Kongregate shares microtransaction and advertising revenue with contributing developers, who retain the full rights to their games.
Kongregate is currently looking for skilled Flash game developers and advertising partners. Interested parties can contact us at inquiries@kongregate.com.

Second Life- An Opportunity for Second Language Teaching?

More than 300 universities and some instructors use Second Life as an educational tool or invite students to join them in virtual classrooms. For example, DeSalles University created a simulation of Dante's Inferno being with teacher and student notes. Then as an English teacher, I cannot help but think SL, the game is also an opportunity for second language teaching?

For most students , learning a second language can be boring. They are easily tired of mechanical activities such as memorizing grammar rules, phonetic symbols, and vocabulary. How can we motivate students to learn a second language? I feel that role playing game is a good idea. I often adopted the game in my teaching activities. Second Life gives us a new idea. I propose that we use SL in creating second language lessons in which students can act in different roles of the stories in textbooks. Beth Ritter-Guth , an English instructor of Desalles University gave a good try. She taught literature in SL in which she build a 3D environment. I believe many students will love the new teaching method. At the same time, we can try to invite a native speaker to be online and supervise the class. His/her responsibility would be to correct students’ accents and grammar mistakes, and give suggestions. Students will probably be easily involved and more enthusiastic about learning a second language in a new learning environment. This sounds really promising. Maybe I will suggest or I myself try such a teaching method in my future teaching activities.

On the other hand, I have two concerns about using Second Life in second language learning. As Daniel mentioned, Second Life is a “two edge sword.” Students can become easily addicted to the game. Moveover, there would be a problem finding teachers to build the 3D visual environment in SL. First, most teachers usually lack skills for building 3D models ( Or they have to pay for objects they need to set up the environment) . Second, how many of them would like to spend time or money on creating a scenario and a space?

A new method usually takes a long running time. And as Beth said" all learning involves at risk at some level." Whatever teaching in SL opens a window for teachers and students.

Second Life – An Opportunity for Second Language Teaching?

More than 300 universities and some instructors use Second Life as an educational tool or invite students to join them in virtual classrooms. For example, DeSalles University created a simulation of Dante's Inferno being with teacher and student notes. Then as an English teacher, I cannot help but think SL, the game is also an opportunity for second language teaching?

For most students , learning a second language can be boring. They are easily tired of mechanical activities such as memorizing grammar rules, phonetic symbols, and vocabulary. How can we motivate students to learn a second language? I feel that role playing game is a good idea. I often adopted the game in my teaching activities. Second Life gives us a new idea. I propose that we use SL in creating second language lessons in which students can act in different roles of the stories in textbooks. Beth Ritter-Guth , an English instructor of Desalles University gave a try. She taught literature in SL in which she build a 3D environment. I believe many students will love the new teaching method. At the same time, we can try to invite a native speaker to be online and supervise the class. His/her responsibility would be to correct students’ accents and grammar mistakes, and give suggestions. Students will probably be easily involved and more enthusiastic about learning a second language in a new learning environment. This sounds really promising. Maybe I will suggest or I myself try such a teaching method in my future teaching activities.

On the other hand, I have two concerns about using Second Life in second language learning. As Daniel mentioned, Second Life is a “two edge sword.” Students can become easily addicted to the game. Moveover, there would be a problem finding teachers to build the 3D visual environment in SL. First, they usually lack skills for building 3D models; then, how many teachers would like to spend time on creating a scenario and a space?

A new method often takes a long running time. Whatever teaching in SL opens a window for teachers and students.

Second Life – An Opportunity for Secondary Language Teaching?

More than 300 universities and some instructors use Second Life as an educational tool or invite students to join them in virtual classrooms. For example, DeSalles University created a simulation of Dante's Inferno being with teacher and student notes. Then as an English teacher, I cannot help but think SL, the game is also an opportunity for second language teaching?

For most students , learning a second language can be boring. They are easily tired of mechanical activities such as memorizing grammar rules, phonetic symbols, and vocabulary. How can we motivate students to learn a second language? I feel that role playing game is a good idea. I often adopted the game in my teaching activities. Second Life gives us a new idea. I propose that we use SL in creating second language lessons in which students can act in different roles of the stories in textbooks. Beth Ritter-Guth , an English instructor of Desalles University gave a try. She taught literature in SL in which she build a 3D environment. I believe many students will love the new teaching method. At the same time, we can try to invite a native speaker to be online and supervise the class. His/her responsibility would be to correct students’ accents and grammar mistakes, and give suggestions. Students will probably be easily involved and more enthusiastic about learning a second language in a new learning environme


.nt. This sounds really promising. Maybe I will suggest or I myself try such a teaching method in my future teaching activities.

On the other hand, I have two concerns about using Second Life in second language learning. As Daniel mentioned, Second Life is a “two edge sword.” Students can become easily addicted to the game. Moveover, there would be a problem finding teachers to build the 3D visual environment in SL. First, they usually lack skills for building 3D models; then, how many teachers would like to spend time on creating a scenario and a space?

Whatever teaching in SL opens a window for teachers and students.

Skype Games

My ten year old daughter loves to "Skype" her cousin Charlie who is going to college in Utah. She amazes me how she knew how to set up the "Skype" on our home computers so that "Skype" would work. Grandma and grandpa have come over for a "Skype" session to see their grandson Charlie at college. They marveled at how "Skpye" works. 

"Skype" games are great for my daughter to play with Charlie. She plays chess and other games regularly with him through "Skype." She has friends at school who she "Skypes" and plays games with. As a mom, I compare what I used to do when I was ten, and what she does now. There was not even anything close to this kind of game playing back in my day. My favorite game was the board game "Life," and the card game "Crazy Eights."

In my opinion the on-line revolution has changed the gaming world forever. 

Skype Games

My ten year old daughter loves to "Skype" her cousin who is going to college in Utah. 

Club Penguin

"Club Penguin" is an on-line virtual reality world of penguins. My ten year old daughter loves to get on "Club Penguin" and play games with other penguins. There are many similarities between "Club Penguin" and "Second Life." 

Both have virtual characters and places to interact with others. Both have an option to pay real money to buy things in the virtual world such as clothes. Both have the option to chat with another character you encounter. "Club Penguin" looks so cute, and there are always many penguins roaming around the screen when I watch my daughter play.

As a parent I worry about the dangers in the virtual penguin world. Let me explain. When first exposed to "Second Life" I was in awe. Being able to take upon a new look as an "avatar" person and move about the virtual world was new, fun, and exciting at first. When I explored on my own outside of the SDSU virtual campus I was shocked to see what was really out in the virtual world. Lots of disgusting things--scantily dressed people, repulsive language, and shocking posters--just to name a few. I then thought of the type of people who were on this "Second Life" and got scared and got off right away. In my opinion "Second Life" has been polluted by filth.

Could "Club Penguin" have a hidden agenda? Are all those penguins running around really just kids? The thought of the possibilities frightens me. So I now go on "Club Penguin" with my daughter, or let my older teenage son supervisor and play with her. He has a virtual penguin as well and loves to play the games.

Club Penguin

Video games article in Details

Details magazine published an article on video games and obsession in its October 2007 edition. "Are Video Games the New Cocaine?" explores the idea that video games have replaced drugs as the addiction of choice for some people. Though psychologists argue whether gaming is technically an addiction, playing can meet some of the criteria of addiction.

Check out the article at:
men.style.com/details/blogs/details/2007/09/are-video-games.html

-Angie

Mind Candy: Spore

This is just a short follow-up to Daniel's post (please read). In it, he mentioned an incredible game called Spore. I had actually bookmarked the video on it (featured on TED), and had planned to blog about it. Daniel beat me to it! Here's the video:

Serious Games Changing the World?

Serious games may not actually have the power to change the world, but they are potentially powerful in getting the users to. As a former teacher, I was constantly trying to find ways to get my students interested in current events around the globe.

After trying to incorporate as many creative and meaningful lessons as possible, I realized what worked the best: role playing. Which is why I wish I had known about this game (PeaceMaker) before delving into the educational gaming world. PeaceMaker is known as a "serious game", or a simulation that is focused on non-game events. The game puts the player in the role of a leader in the midst of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Depending on the choices the player makes, the particular Middle East region will either experience peace or destruction.

Actual current events are presented in the game in the form of photographic images, video, and text.















According to the official game website:

• PeaceMaker is inspired by real events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Be a leader and bring peace to the region before your term in office ends.
• PeaceMaker is two games in one: play both the role of the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President.
• Play the news: how would you react to the events in the Middle East presented using real news footage and images?
• Depending on what you bring to the table, we have three difficulty levels to choose from including calm, tense and violent.

Check out the YouTube video on the game too:

Reaching ALL students with eGames

I thought we (by "we" I mean the collection of educators and schools nationwide) were doing fairly well. We seemed to have gotten over the hurdle of computers in the classrooms. It even seemed like more and more students had computers, and Internet access, in their homes as well. My middle school, which has a hugely diverse population, both ethnically and socio-economically, has two computer labs of 36 stations each, plus four laptop carts of 16 computers each, plus 1-5 computers in many classrooms. Then I took a position at the district office and quickly found out that my middle school is the only one of the 22 schools in the district with computers resources to that degree. I lucked out when I landed at the one school in the district that has been making technology a priority for over ten years. None of the other three middle schools have computers labs, only laptop carts and only two of those. None of the elementary schools have computers labs, some don't even have a laptop cart.

So, that's my small district, what about San Diego Unified School District? According to the EdTech Profile for 2006-2207, SDUSD:

• Has about 1 computer for every 4 students.
• Over 50% of the computers are over 4 years old.
• The number of computers planned to be retired outnumbers the number of computers expected to be added this year.
• 65% of the computers are located in the classroom as opposed to 15% in computer labs, and 15% in libraries. I wonder how many of the computers in the classrooms are collecting dust.

What about the students in their homes?

• Of the 160 seventh and eighth grade students I had last year, 17% of them did not have access to a computer or the Internet at home. Sounds pretty good, right? Well...
• Of those students without access, 81% of them are Hispanic, yet only 44% of our school student body is Hispanic.
• Of those students without access, over half are on the free/reduced lunch program, indicating a low socio-economic status.
• Of the five black students that I had last year, three of them did not have access to a computer or the Internet at home.

Yikes! Maybe we should work more on providing access to all students so our wonderfully designed eGames can reach ALL students. Any ideas? Has anyone seen any programs that work?

Here are a couple of articles:
"Digital Divide" affects student success
Digital divide in schools: Student access to and use of computers

Is SL (and similar avatar populated worlds) the new Barbie?

For years, Barbie has been given credit for contributing to our society's unhealthy body image, both Barbie and Ken. You know the image, women are rails with out-of-proportion breasts and men have 30" waists with six-pack abs, broad shoulders, and buff arms. As soon as I logged into SL for the first time, I began wondering about the implications of avatars, in any kind of online world, on the perpetuation of the unhealthy body image that pervades our society. You might think, "C'mon, most people don't feel those proportions are the ideal body type." Having been around 13-15 year-olds for the last 15 years, I can say, for that impressionable age range, it definitely is. I have 13-year-old girls who are 5'5" and 125 pounds who think they are grossly overweight. I have 12-year-old boys who are lifting weights before puberty hits to try to bulk up (this can be very dangerous to their muscles, by the way). If you don't believe me, check out some of the articles below. Here are some of the highlights:

• 1 out of every 4 college women have used unhealthy methods to lose weight.
• Most runway models are 14-19 years old, 5'10"-5'11", 120-125 pounds, size 2.
• Teenage girls view themselves as an average of 11 pounds over their ideal weight when, in actuality, they are only 3 pounds over their ideal weight.

SL perpetuates this unhealthy body image to the nth degree. I immediately changed my avatar to have a more "normal" body and I've been asked several times by other avatars why I'm so plain. Don't get me wrong, I get that SL and WOW are fantasy worlds, and you should be able to look however you want. But much of fantasy, especially teenage fantasy, often manifests itself as what they wish they really were. I am disappointed with how far avatar worlds promote our society's obsession with thinness and/or buffness.

Beauty and Body Image in the Media
Teens' Distorted Body Image May Lead to Unhealthy Behaviors
Do Thin Models Warp Girls' Body Image?

Puzzle Game

Here is a cool little time waster. Crayon Physics is a neat 2D physics puzzle game played on your PC, in which you get to experience what it would be like if your drawings would be magically transformed into real physical objects. Solve puzzles with your artistic vision and creative use of physics.

http://www.kloonigames.com/blog/games/crayon/

6MB download

Puzzle Game

Here is a cool little time waster. The objects you draw with a crayon ac

Simulations and Games

The use of games and simulations in education is well documented in history and in the recent literature. They have been used in preschool, K-12, the university, the military, business, and by older adults (Dempsey et al., 1997).

But, what exactly do we mean when we say simulation and gaming? First, though computers have certainly allowed the evolution of simulation gaming a quatum leap forward, they are by no means the first use of simulation gaming nor are they the only type of simulation gaming done today. Historically, the word games has been used to connote a pastime of a trivial, if fun, endeavor. It is this connotation that today seems to cause some educators to flinch when they hear the word games and imagine frivolous time wasted play that serves only to entertain and certainly not educate to any significant degree. D.R. Cruickshank, a researcher in this area, defines them this way:

Simulations are the products that result when one creates the appearance or effect of something else. Games are contests in which both players and opponents operate under rules to gain a specified objective. A further distinction can be made between academic and non-academic games (such as table tennis or checkers) that are primarily for fun. Academic games, such as anagrams or war games, are primarily for or based upon learning (Cruickshank, 1980, p. 75 ).

Cruickshank further distinguished between two types of academic games.

There are two types of academic games: simulation games and non-simulation games. Non-simulation games are those in which a player solves problems in a school subject such as spelling or mathematics by making use of principles of that subject or discipline. The other type of academic game is the simulation game in which participants are provided with a simulated environment in which to play. These games are intended to provide students with insight into the process or event from the real world which is being simulated (p. 76).

It is the use of simulation games which holds the most promise as a truly dynamic educational tool.

http://www.cofc.edu/~seay/cb/simgames.html

Dempsey, J.V., Lucassen, B.A., Haynes, L.L, & Casey, M. S. (1997). An exploratory study of forty computer games (COE Technical Report No. 97-2). Mobile, AL: University of South
Alabama.

Cruickshank, D. R. (1980). Classroom Games and Simulations. Theory into practice, 19(1), 75-80.

Simulations and Games

The use of games and simulations in education is well documented in history and in the recent literature. They have been used in preschool, K-12, the university, the military, business, and by older adults (Dempsey et al., 1997).

But, what exactly do we mean when we say simulation and gaming? First, though computers have certainly allowed the evolution of simulation gaming a quatum leap forward, they are by no means the first use of simulation gaming nor are they the only type of simulation gaming done today. Historically, the word games has been used to connote a pastime of a trivial, if fun, endeavor. It is this connotation that today seems to cause some educators to flinch when they hear the word games and imagine frivolous time wasted play that serves only to entertain and certainly not educate to any significant degree. D.R. Cruickshank, a researcher in this area, defines them this way:

Simulations are the products that result when one creates the appearance or effect of something else. Games are contests in which both players and opponents operate under rules to gain a specified objective. A further distinction can be made between academic and non-academic games (such as table tennis or checkers) that are primarily for fun. Academic games, such as anagrams or war games, are primarily for or based upon learning (Cruickshank, 1980, p. 75 ).

Cruickshank further distinguished between two types of academic games.

There are two types of academic games: simulation games and non-simulation games. Non-simulation games are those in which a player solves problems in a school subject such as spelling or mathematics by making use of principles of that subject or discipline. The other type of academic game is the simulation game in which participants are provided with a simulated environment in which to play. These games are intended to provide students with insight into the process or event from the real world which is being simulated (p. 76).

It is the use of simulation games which holds the most promise as a truly dynamic educational tool.

http://www.cofc.edu/~seay/cb/simgames.html

Dempsey, J.V., Lucassen, B.A., Haynes, L.L, & Casey, M. S. (1997). An exploratory study of forty computer games (COE Technical Report No. 97-2). Mobile, AL: University of South
Alabama.

Cruickshank, D. R. (1980). Classroom Games and Simulations. Theory into practice, 19(1), 75-80.

Anything is Possible Within Limits

Emergent gameplay, as wikipedia notes, is the creative use of video games for purposes beyond the creator's original intentions. It is an important concept tied to the new study of metagaming, or the manipulation of game rules, AI states, and affordances to create new and unforeseen modes of gameplay.

With all that said, I'd like to use my second blog post to share my vision of our role as game-using instructional designers.

For better or worse, EdTec'ers are designers of instruction. In our own little way, we use the tools of our trade to invent and develop new ways to teach. We do this deliberately, carefully, for real people, and with an eye for the innovative.

But design is at its best when it is self-critical as well. Recursive design opens up new possibilities by finding new uses for tools, exploring the limitations of our tools, and by turning those limitations into opportunities.

In my undergrad incarnation, I studied Art History, with a heavy emphasis on mid-to-late 20th century painting and photography. The idea that drove me during this period of intense study was a fascination with how art eats itself. That is to say, how artists used their arts during this period to undermine everyone's assumptions about what art is, what it can be, what it can do, and how people should interact with it. The greatest artists during this period turned their tools on themselves, and so revealed new possibilities. Pollock removed the hand of the artist, Warhol made painting mechanical, and Uelsmann used the darkroom to make unreal photographs.

While our design goals may not be so heroic in scope, we should still strive to follow the example of the avant guard. Spore, an upcoming game from Maxis, is a perfect example of a game that is ripe for conversion to other purposes. The game is huge in scope, and highly intelligent and adaptive. By exploring how the game adapts to the way we play it, we can wrap it in a number of different scenarios and content, and use it to teach students about how early decisions unfold into complex consequences.

I see this as our role in this new world, this new game-using educational environment. The various ways of approaching Metagaming can help us uncover the hidden possibilities within the complex machinery of games, and use these affordances to our own educational ends.

Family Feud for Education

This past week, my wife who is pursuing her MA in History at SDSU and her presentation partner used a game to teach a lesson about William Cronon - an Environmental historian. The impetus for using a game was one, they wanted to do something different than everyone else had done and two, Elle said she was inspired when she saw Caloric Consequences, the board game that Aaron, Sarah, and I made.

Elle, Jason, and I brainstormed for a few days on what game would work in this instance. Jason finally came up with the idea of using Family Feud. By using this game, the entire class could participate and play would rotate, so more than just one or two people could try to answer questions. They game was a big hit and the professor was excited to see something different than the standard PowerPoint.

This scenario really got me thinking once again about all the ways games can be used to make learning more fun. It also got me wondering, so I pose this question…..Is there any game out there that can’t be used for education in some way?

Practice your V-o-c-a-b-u-l-a-r-y!

Free Rice is a game by the U.N that donates 10 grains of rice to the poor- for each vocabulary question you answer correctly. As of today they have raised 2,098,280,280 grains of rice. No need to download. You can play straight from your web browser. There is no time limit- so you can play, check your e-mail, go get lunch, and come back to play some more (just keep the window open). Playing is fun and simply brilliant. Check-it-out here.

Oh! I almost forgot to add...One of their sponsoring sites is hiring ed-techer's (not a word!) if any of you are looking for a job...The company is called Games for Change.

Club Penguin

My 10 year old daughter is really into the virtual game club penguin. It is kind of like Second Life. This is what she tells me about it. "Mom, you can chat, you can make your own penguin, you can play games with other penguins, you can dance at the night club." She invited me to play with her so I could experience it. She said it is totally free unless you want to buy more things for your penguin.

I was so surprised at the similarites between Club Penguin and Second Life.
1. Virtual characters that take on a personal look and unique name.
2. Movement of characters around a virtual world.
3. Interactive activities with other virtual characters in the virtual world.
4. Purchases of accessories can be made.
5.
Have any of you experienced this?
The website is:
httpp://play.clubpenguin.com
Right now my daughter is making me a penguin.
You have got to see this!
Ruth Maas

All I want for Chirstmas is a Moshi Monster?

Now just for a second I want you to wrap your mind around the term
mind candy?

Is there such a thing?

And if there was?

What would it look like?

Introducing Moshi Monster. Brought to you by none other- than a company by the name of Mind Candy. Moshi Monster is a multi-player online game targeted at children ages 7-12.

In this virtual world, kids get to adopt a furry little monster who they can then customize.Built into the game, is a in-world economy of "rox". You get rox by solving cognitive puzzles and by playing educational games. The smarter you get, the more rox you gain. You then use these rox to pimp out your monsters apartment (or else they get bored!) and to buy them accessories.

You must also buy food and take good care of your Moshi or else they turn into a very bad monster! A behavioral engine is built in to the game so that the personality of the monster changes according to how much time you spend playing and caring for your pet.


And, that's not all.

When you adopt a Moshi Monster you get a charm that you attach to your cell phone. The charm lights up and spins every time your phone rings or you get a text message. A secret ID code is found on the charm that gives the owner access to the virtual world.

The Moshi Monster virtual world is a social networking world that has facebook/myspace characteristics. Here users will be able to interact and chat with each other.

For more information check out their site.

Why SL Loses Its Market in China?

I am a new member of Second Life (SL). Not only I, but few my Chinese friends know the game. I read the news of Ailin Graef , a Chinese Germany who becomes the first millionaire in SL from a Chinese online forum only several days ago. However, a google search tells me that Anshe Chung's avatar in SL has had been on the cover of Businessweek almost two years ago. I searched online and found that SL is always the top 3 in game rank in the USA. However, only a small group of Chinese people are the fans of SL. In China, there are unaccountable games and game players, why SL cannot catch its place in China market and Chinese game players are not interested in it?

First, I think maybe different cultural background determines different points of view of people. In China, most people think a game is for kids and youth. The majority of players are the teenagers and adults in twenties, like my twelve years old nephew. Their main interests in game are to win in the competition, instead of exploring another different life style in a visual place. The attractive point of SL is that you can win real money in it. However, usually the people who can afford to buy something in SL are never interested in playing the game; but those people who play games do not have their own money to buy what they like.

Second, SL not only brings a new idea of game, but set up a different scene for most Chinese players. The communication is a problem. No any rule and guideline and conversation is in Chinese language(they even have Japanese interface). I logged in a SL forum in China and found that some players who attended in SL are for learning English, which totally depart from the game goal.

These are the two points that I can think of for now. I really hope SL can consider China market more seriously. It is really a big cake. More over, I cannot wait that more Chinese folks enjoy such an amazing game!

The link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982002.htm

Why SL Loses its market in China?

Why SL Loses Its Market in China?

I am a new member of Second Life (SL). Not only I, but few my Chinese friends know the game. I read the news of Ailin Graef , a Chinese Germany who becomes the first millionaire in SL from a Chinese online forum only several days ago. However, a google search tells me that Anshe Chung's avatar in SL has had been on the cover of Businessweek almost two years ago. I searched online and found that SL is always the top 3 in game rank in the USA. However, only a small group of Chinese people are the fans of SL. In China, there are unaccountable games and game players, why SL cannot catch its place in China market and Chinese game players are not interested in it?

First, I think maybe different cultural background determines different points of view of people. In China, most people think a game is for kids and youth. The majority of players are the teenagers and adults in twenties, like my twelve years old nephew. Their main interests in game are to win in the competition, instead of exploring another different life style in a visual place. The attractive point of SL is that you can win real money in it. However, usually the people who can afford to buy something in SL are never interested in playing the game; but those people who play games do not have their own money to buy what they like.

Second, SL not only brings a new idea of game, but set up a total different scene for Chinese people. The 3D visual image is so cool and amazing for me as the new comer, but I often get lost in it. Americans are quite familiar with those settings in SL, but for Chinese players, most settings are strange and exotic. More over, the communication is a problem. All rules and guides and conversation are not in Chinese (they even have Japanese interface). I logged in a SL forum in China and found that some players who attended in SL are for learning English, which totally depart from the game goal.

These are the two points that I can think of for now. I really hope SL can consider China market more seriously. It is really a big cake. More over, I cannot wait that more Chinese folks enjoy such an amazing game!

The link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982002.htm

CNN enters the virtual world of Second Life

Just as CNN asks its real-life audience to submit I-Reports -- user-generated content submitted from cell phones, computers, cameras and other equipment for broadcast and online reports -- the network is encouraging residents of Second Life to share their own "SL I-Reports" about events occurring within the virtual world.

"The thing we most hope to gain by having a CNN presence in Second Life is to learn about virtual worlds and understand what news is most interesting and valuable to their residents," said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services.
Watch CNN's welcome video from Second Life »

http://secondlife.blogs.cnn.com/
This is the Web home for I-Reports from the virtual world of Second Life. Check here for the latest SL stories, photos and videos, and get updates on CNN-hosted events inside the world.

Here's a link to a form that allows you to submit your article. (link)
Or just take a picture, provide a brief description, and send as postcard or video to slireports@cnn.com

Whyville

Whyville (not to be confused with Whoville) is a new preteen/teen simulation world for ages 10-16. You can create an avatar, chat, build, and buy things in their currency of clams. It is not quite at the level of Second Life, but after much exploration, I think it would be much easier to monitor in a classroom. There are City Workers (CW) who monitor the language, content and other actions in the world. Almost every world I visited had some educational value or task. Trips to the mall are turned into math games and going to a restaurant is turned into a nutrition lesson. It educational resources already built in The interface is a little simplistic, but for classroom use, this is a great tool.

Check it out- Whyville

Ayiti: The Cost of Life

Ayiti: The Cost of Life is an online game created by teenagers through the Global Kids' Digital Media Initiative with help from Gamelab.

The goal of the game is to keep a rural Haitian family alive through education, work, and good health. Players struggle to provide an education for the family members while suffering from poverty and poor health. This strategy game resembles the popular 1980s and 1990s game Oregon Trail, where players must think to make rational decisions in order to stay alive.

Even after playing the game several times, I could not figure out how to keep the family alive. I began to wonder if it is even possible to win "Ayiti: The Cost of Life" or is the point of the game to experience the almost inevitable loss that is so real to many people in developing countries: death by poverty.

Check out the game yourself! It is an eye opener, that's for sure.

Sloodle

I have learned what Moodle and Second Life are in ED670. But I never think about what will happen if these two come together.

Yes.They come together as Sloodle.Sloodle is an Open Source project which aims to develop and share useful, usable, desireable tools for supporting education in virtual worlds, making teaching easier. Through engagement with an active community of developers and users, the Sloodle project hopes to develop sound pedagogies for teaching across web-based and 3D virtual learning environments. Sloodle integrates the Second Life multi-user virtual environment and the Moodle learning-management system.

Amazing!Isn't it?

http://www.sloodle.org/

Technology is fantastic!I like it!

Sloodle

I have learned what Moodle and Second Life are in ED670. But I never think about what will happen if these two come together.

Yes.They come together as Sloodle.Sloodle is an Open Source project which aims to develop and share useful, usable, desireable tools for supporting education in virtual worlds, making teaching easier. Through engagement with an active community of developers and users, the Sloodle project hopes to develop sound pedagogies for teaching across web-based and 3D virtual learning environments. Sloodle integrates the Second Life multi-user virtual environment and the Moodle learning-management system.

Amazing!Isn't it?

http://www.sloodle.org/

Technology is fantastic!I like it!

Second Life AS an addiction

A number of people have already mentioned that Second Life can help can help cure real-world addictions. The game's ability to provide real-time, world-wide counseling at little or no cost will definitely help those addicts with the means and knowledge to access Second Life. (A serious question to ask: How many crack addicts own computers, have internet access, and know how to use Second Life? How big could that particular population grow?) In any case, the Duke team has done some fascinating work on the intersection of VRs and RRs.

This lead me to a curious, not quite congruent idea: If a person can feel their addictions while playing Second Life, could virtual realities be addictive as well? Certainly not as destructive an addiction as crack-cocaine, but as serious as an addiction to eating, pornography, or television. Many sites have picked up on this, but they tend to treat it as problem for 'some people.' That is, some sites still consider addiction to VRs as a hypothetical condition represented by a tiny minority.

Addiction and Second Life
Second Life Insider

Yet, a number of people on both of those blogs have compelling enough anecdotal evidence to support the possibility of a real, serious, addiction. And even if only a tiny subset of people become addicted to WoW, SL, or Everquest (we used to call it 'EverCrack' in junior high), we must still come to a consensus as to how much VR is too much VR.

I'm not advocating panic and abandonment of SL. Rather, I think we should begin to think about how to create programs that help people deal with VR addictions, and build them over time. It seems unwise to simply chalk-up an addiction to the Internet or VR as a symptom of the 21st century, or a benign replacement for other forms of activity when so many questions remain.

Second Life AS an addiction

A number of people have mentioned

Agism in Second Life

As a part of my MUVE project on creating an environment in Second Life for health care professionals to learn to eliminate agism from their interactions with senior citizens, I transformed my avatar into a senior citizen. I explored SL as my senior citizen avatar and discovered some very interesting patterns. On the tame side of my experiences, I was simply ignored. On the blatant side, I was told outright to get a new avatar.

Many times other avatars would walk away as I walked (wheeled) toward them. If they did engage in a conversation with me, it was either very short or they used very simple language. Often times I would return as my younger avatar and, even though my name hadn't changed, no one recognized me as the older woman they had seen before. I was able to have conversations with a few of the same people and they were much more socialable.

The avatar that told me to get a new avatar was actually offended that I had such an avatar. He said that SL is for fantasies and, "don't you want to look better?" I role-played a bit and told him that there are some avatars that look very similar to their "RL avatar." I told him this is what I look like in RL. He said, "in that case, maybe you shouldn't be in SL." I tried to contact him as my young avatar, but was unable to find him.

My interactions as a senior citizen weren't all negative. I had several people who were simply curious as to my choice of avatars, but treated me no differently.

Overall, I was surprised by my experiences, especially after finding SL to be such a friendly environment before my transformation. As my younger avatar, I met many people from all over the world, many of whom gave me something for free (objects, landmarks, $L). I am disheartened by the agism I experienced in SL, but it confirms my concerns that SL perpetuates an unhealthy ideal body image.

Harvest Moon: More Than Just a Child's Play Thing?

My daughter started playing Harvest Moon when she was 9 years old. So, two years has past and she is still very interested and now my son is very involved with the game. Before I knew anything about SL, I just figured it was a nice, wholesome game for them to play. What I new about it was that the player designed a farm from the ground up with all of the animals, plants, and crops. the player planted the seeds, raised chickens and the player could even sell the crops for money in this virtual farm-world. So it seemed like a really nice and safe way for my children to experience the farm-life, work the land and work with the currency and make a little money. Plus, all decisions were theirs-this was their world. Now that I know about SL, I recognize that this virtual game was their first experience is SL and mine too! There are many games out there that appeal to children; trying to find quality games with limited violence that actually appeal to children is the trick. As one person states, "It's a welcome relief from all of the fast-paced games that are hyped today." In Harvest Moon you move at your own pace, and not so much at the pace of guests, limits, and other pressures that come with "fast paced" games. Check out a fun and meaningful virtual world- Harvest Moon.

11 Reasons Why We Play Games

An article reflecting on why we play games on gamerhelp.com by Jason Fryer:

11 Reasons Why We Play Games |
Note: explanations and example games are included under each!

#11: The Childhood Dream
# 10: No Ticket Required
# 9: Rivals Make the Best Losers
# 8: Games are Timeless
# 7: The "Eureka" Moment
# 6: It Feels Good to Be Bad
# 5: Bragging Rights
# 4: Saving the World
# 3: Only the Chosen Will Survive
# 2: The All Nighter Troof
# 1: The Fun Never Stops

11 Reasons Why We Play Games

An article reflecting on why we play games on gamehelp.com

Gardens and Sunsets

I found this page: http://secondlife.com/newsletter/2006_10/ and one of the first things I read was:

Zen and the Art of SL
There are many beautiful and serene places in Second Life to sit and watch a sunset or listen to the birds. Gardens of flowers, waterfalls, and secret places can be found throughout the world. Here are just five of the many beautiful gardens of Second Life.

1
Bliss Basin
2
The Lost Gardens of Apollo
3
Zen Gardens of Achemon
4
Lost Gardens of Slosser
5
Vanda?s Pocket Park

My first thought was ‘seriously?’ I get that there are places in Second Life that are very visually appealing. What I am aghast about is that people would visit gardens or watch sunsets in Second Life instead of in real life. To me you would lose more than half of the experience if you lose the ability to smell the gardens and perhaps feel the grass under your feet, etc.

I suppose if you couldn’t get to the gardens that you can see in Second Life that’s one thing. But we shouldn’t exclude what we can get to in the real life if we want the full experience.

People with Disabilities in Second Life

My classmates game the Inevitable Room about ageism got me thinking. Could Second Life be used in the same way for diversity training for those that work with people with disabilities? My research brought me around to another view of the situation.

I literally stumbled upon an article which talks about people with disabilities using Second Life for other things. A link to the article is provided below. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Another project, called live2give, was undertaken by nine adults with cerebral palsy, and seeks to provide a forum in which they can share in the everyday personal interactions that most people take for granted. The group of nine, who share a single Second Life avatar known as Wilde Cunningham, get to experience being around other people without being judged.

http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2005/04/67142

This is an amazing use for Second Life. Barriers are removed in-world that are impossible to remove in real life.

CNET Article> 10 Most Addictive Flash Games

In addition to a screen shot and short blurb about each game, the article's authors include a "Your Fired" rating - the more red letters in the word "fired" to more addictive the game. I'm sad to say that I've only heard of two out of the ten games listed; I must need to play more!

Which ones have you played?

1. Bejeweled
2. Chimgam
3. Bow Man
4. Desktop Tower Defense
5. Neopets Hasee Bounce
6. Line Rider
7. The Last Stand
8. Portal
9. The Helicopter Game
10. YetiSports

SL treats Addiction

I was so tickled when I saw this news story covering something near and dear to our own hearts-yes, the use of virtual games to treat such a serious problem as drug addiction. The virtual reality game coupled with therapy, puts the soobering addict into the situations where he loses control. With a therepist to support him through his weak moments, he has the control to chance his habits. Very interesting. Another practical, real-world applications for SL. Check out the Good Morning America piece.

SL treats Addiction

I was so tickled when I saw this news story covering something near and dear to our own hearts-Second Life. ABC says that the use of virtual reality games can be used to treat serious drug addictions. The virtual world is set up to appeal to a crack addict and all of his/her situations that he/she encounters in the drug world. The simulation is to be used while in therapy. And in fact the therapost has to be present while the recovering addict is placed in situations where he has to make decisions. Th addict talks through the choices he has and determines what triggers make him lose control. What a creative and useful application for Second Life.

Good Morning America

Educational gambling?

I was reading the newspaper the other day, and I misread a headline. The story was about Schwarzenegger's support for the gaming industry, but I thought I saw "educational gaming." I wondered, "Is there such a thing?" Well, of course not. A quick Google search revealed a lot of information about gambling education, but nothing about educational gambling. Then I wondered, "If there were such a thing, what would it look like?"

So what would educational gambling look like? I've thought of some possibilities:

1. Some kind of added educational content in existing forms of gambling. For example, a game of video poker might start with an educational video or a short article.

2. Educational content built into the gambling. The gambler would have to learn some content presented during the game to have a chance at winning the game. Of course, simply learning the content wouldn't guarantee a win. Casinos have to make money.

3. Gambling introduced to an educational game. You can bet on anything. Why limit gambling to sporting events, cards, and dice?

Second Life on Australia Network

If you have access to it, Australia Network is showing a program on Second Life.

From their website:
This documentary film takes us on the parallel world of virtual online games, known as MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games). Millions of gamers all around the world spend on average 30 hours a week playing games in these boundless realms. A booming business has sprung up at the crossroads where these virtual worlds and the real world meet. Virtual islands are selling for hundreds of thousands of real dollars. Imaginary real-estate is going for thousands and thousands of dollars. Weapons and characters are being exchanged every day for a few dozen dollars, in auctions inside these realms. The film navigates its way back and forth between the virtual and real worlds. To get a deeper understanding of this new addiction and new business, we enter the MMORPG world through a gaming character: the 'hero' of the film. The hero helps us understand how the game works and the excitement it sparks. Through him, we carry our investigation over into the real world. Who are these gamers, and what is their psychological profile? Who does this new economy benefit, and how is it organized? A futurist film, at the outermost gates of the real world.

http://australianetwork.com/guide/ep_00045275.htm

It's on here in Hong Kong on Wednesday. I'll post a summary after I watch it.

Nobel Prize Games

OK, I think this is pretty cool. Nobelprize.org, the website of the Nobel Prize organization, has a section with educational games. These games are designed to teach kids (and adults too, I assume) about the work performed by physicists, economists, etc, who earned a Nobel Prize.

For example, in 1920, Charles Edouard Guillaume was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for discovering the alloy Invar. So the site provides a game which teaches kids what alloys are, what invar is and why it is important.

There are a number of games on this site that educate the player about various discoveries or advancements in chemistry, physics, literature, etc, that earned a Nobel Prize. Check it out. It's pretty cool!

-Joe


http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/

Virtual reality TV

We've seen a lot of Second Life content on TV recently (crime-solving in SL on CSI: New York, broken dreams on The Office, etc.). I read an article on Reuters Second Life today about TV moving into SL. For some time there's been a version of Big Brother in Second Life. It wasn't new, but it was new to me, and it got me thinking.
I have to admit that I enjoy Big Brother. It is so boring and so fascinating at the same time. I could do without the elaborate games they have to play for special privileges and immunity. I don't really care about the scheming that the players do, either. What's interesting, to me at least, is the dull stuff: the vapid conversations, the dish-washing, the everyday things. It's sort of like watching animals at the zoo: They eat, they sleep, they stretch, they yawn, and it's hard to pull yourself away.
When I first read the article about BB in SL, I thought it might be kind of cool to see the show from a different perspective, to control the camera. And I it would on another kind of show. If there were a SL CSI, you might watch the autopsy from the perspective of the corpse or a car chase from above. But what would even happen on BB in SL? You don't need to brush your teeth or make breakfast in SL. What's there to watch?

Exploring Social Norms in Second Life

As a relatively new community member of Second Life, I have been grappling with the idea of social norms and how they are applied "Inworld." Is real life actually that separate from Second Life when it comes to social norms? Should it be? How is etiquette defined? We are dealing with avatars from around the world, which brings in a cultural element (proximity, for example). Real people with real emotions, values, standards, cultural backgrounds, control the movements, actions, and speech of the avatars. Should those real world elements be reflected in our second lives? Why or why not? I would love to hear about your musings and experiences....



Check out this video from NPR on the topic of proximity in SL.

The Office

On Thursday night, The Office (the best show on TV) had a hysterical scene about Second Life. Its amazing to see so many TV connections with Second Life. It makes me wonder if these connections were always there and I never noticed it, and now its more evident because of this class?
One of the funniest parts that I couldn't find on You Tube was Philly Jim. You all must see this whole episode

SceneCaster

SceneCaster is a space in which people can build a variety of 3-D environments and avatars, and then share their spaces with one another via Flickr and Facebook.

While I explored SceneCaster's website, I have not played with it yet, but I think that there are definitely educational/instructional possibilities here!

Google Earth

San Diego, California Fires - See Smoke in Google Earth

While learning about the fires that are affecting my friends and fellow classmates in California, I found some very useful information provided by Google Maps*. The NOAA has provided many satellite images (events, web site). CNN has also been using Google Earth to show maps of the fires. NASA has also released new satellite images of the smoke.

And here is a great resource from the MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program and the US Forest Service - they have some great maps for currently active fires in various map formats - the one for Google Earth is particularly useful.

Also, there is a fire map being managed by radio station KPBS in San Diego with up-to-date information about the situation there. The fire map is available in Google My Maps (see below), and you can use the KML option to view the map in Google Earth . via Google Lat Long. Here is the map:

View Larger Map

*This article has been adapted from an original post at the Google Earth Blog.

CSI:NY in Second Life

CSI:NY is integrating into the world of Second Life on Wednesday, October 24!

According to an article by TechCrunch author, Duncan Riley, the upcoming episode of this already popular show should persuade millions of new people to check out Second Life. CBS has set up several inworld activities allowing users to play forensic games, win virtual prizes, and solve the murder in the episode itself (with the conclusion not airing until next year). A link on the CBS website will point viewers to their options.

A preview of the video is here.

I am excited for this type of technology integration. Imagine how thrilled all those forensic junkies (I prefer CSI:Las Vegas myself) will be to actually interact with the show to "solve" the crime. The potential for a wonderful learning experience is amazing.

Maybe I'll see you there!

~"Ann Losangeles"

MUVE interoperability?

October 11, 2007 |

Second Life + Google + IBM = Open Source Avatars?

By David Cassel

It's like a science fiction story. Your avatar escapes Second Life, and prowls the internet, exploring new worlds and splurging its Second Life Linden currency on other online products.

It hits the other virtual worlds — World of Warcraft? Quake? Maybe it'll even stomp through Google Earth.

It won't happen today, but the first step was just taken: a call for interoperability.

Today Second Life and IBM announced they're developing an open standard for avatars that would let them roam from world to world. And according to the New York Times, it won't be just these two companies. After the announcement, the two companies held discussions with the biggest names in the industry at a virtual worlds conference in San Jose — including Google, Cisco, Sony, Intel, Microsoft, and Motorola.

They report that IBM's VP of virtual world technology, Colin Parris, laid out the case for interoperability. "Now, for every world I touch I have to build an avatar," he told conference attendees. "It's an obstacle to the development and spread of virtual worlds, both in the consumer and corporate space."

But not everyone's optimistic. "Such a virtual passport system may be years away," Reuters warned, "if it doesn't first fall prey to the kind of conflicting interests that occasionally bog down efforts to draw up standards in the fast-changing technology industry." IBM's Parris hopes to focus on the most promising niches for online avatars first, according to the article. "The nuts and bolts of how to make different software work together will come later."

Ultimately the years to come will see businesses and web developers grappling with two important about the future of the internet.

With limited hours in a day, can virtual worlds be made to be just as compelling as alternatives in the real world?

And perhaps more importantly — will people feel comfortable shopping there?

SOURCE

Second Life Humor

Online worlds to be AI incubators

Online worlds to be AI incubators

By Mark Ward Technology Correspondent, BBC News website

Artificial environments could be great places for AI's to learn

Online worlds such as Second Life will soon become training grounds for artificial intelligences.

Researchers at US firm Novamente have created software that learns by controlling avatars in virtual worlds.

Initially the AIs will be embodied in pets that will get smarter by interacting with the avatars controlled by their human owners.

Novamente said it eventually aimed to create more sophisticated avatars such as talking parrots and even babies.




LINK

Online worlds to be AI incubators

By Mark Ward Technology Correspondent, BBC News website

Artificial environments could be great places for AI's to learn

Online worlds such as Second Life will soon become training grounds for artificial intelligences.

Researchers at US firm Novamente have created software that learns by controlling avatars in virtual worlds.

Initially the AIs will be embodied in pets that will get smarter by interacting with the avatars controlled by their human owners.

Novamente said it eventually aimed to create more sophisticated avatars such as talking parrots and even babies.




LINK