Why do Educators Need to Pay Attention to Online 3D Virtual Worlds?
• This is going to be big – 3D online virtual worlds are exploding. Is 3D the next generation of online interaction? • They offer unique qualities not available in any other medium – immersion, shared presence, shared experience etc. • They are creative, expressive, playful, social environments that encourage engagement, interaction, communication, collaboration and social learning. • They are engaging for the Net Gen students who have grown up online and with video games – they are accustomed to interacting via avatars in online 3D immersive environments and will come to expect that. • Net Gen students have become accustomed to, and will expect to be involved in, the creation of their own media content – thanks to the Web 2.0 revolution. • Digital Natives need Digital Immigrants (Prensky) – young people need guidance from adults to learn how to use new online technologies effectively, critically, responsibly and safely. • We will see more use of 3D virtual worlds in the workplace (onl
