If you had used VC, you would know where the subtitle came from. :-)
But today, I want to introduce a world which doesn't exist --- virtual world --- literally. Virtual world certainly exists, or how could I finish my IDE 611 assignment 2!
What is a virtual world? I want to begin with what is not a virtual world, this idea was borrowed from a book[1] about designing virtual world. I think for such a board concept, it is a easy way to clarify its boundary.
Is the game Cut the Rope a virtual world?
No, I don't think so. Why? One day you received a box, you open it and find there is a cute frog waiting for you to feed it candy. It seems like you are in a first-person perspective virtual world. But can you explore this "world", if it were a world. You could only move forward through a fixed order level by level. And believe me, in Cut the Rope, there is nothing worthy to explore. It is certainly a good game, I mean, but just different kinds of boxes.(^_-)
First, as a player, you can explore the virtual world through yourself (first-person perspective) or moving an avatar which is a computer-based character representing you (third-person perspective). So, if you design a virtual world, you should think about how the atmosphere and territory looks like, also objects in the world.
Also, in Cut the Rope, you are lonely, by which I mean, there is no network of people within the game. In a virtual world, as a player, you have the ability to interact with other players in real time. Thinks about World of Warcraft, it is such a famous Massively multiplayer online role-playing game within strong social interaction between players. As regard of community, you must think of another virtual world --- Second life. It is a typical online real-life game, has been massively discussed in educational related field, such as language instruction. Oh, finally I refer the word "EDUCATION"!!!
In the next few weeks I will want to introduce several famous educational virtual world and also want to discussion the use of virtual wold in K-12 school education.
Hope this blog give you a initial impression about virtual world and believe me, this blog it not an advertisement of Cut the Rope!!!!They do not pay me a penny!!
[1]The book is Design for learning in Virtual World .
Hi~ Jiaming
ReplyDeleteSince you talked about World of Warcraft, I can't help thinking of a video watched last year. It is sort of lecture and the intructor just mentioned it. He says people can take advantage of Massively multiplayer online role-playing game for skill development because these skills, determination for instance, are highly valued both in the game and at work.
Yes, I have read it at least twice. It is what I am interested in --- would players really can transfer these skills to the real world task? Games like WOW, are not designing for learning. Most people will not have the purpose of learning skills when they enjoyed the game. Also, there are "game otaku" who almost never use these skills in daily life. But I have also heard some educational games for business training before. So it is really an interesting question to explore, what factors of the game itself and players themselves could effect learning by playing games.
DeleteHi Jiaming,
ReplyDeleteA fellow group mate from 611 here.
Oh my goodness I am so excited to read your blog! I never knew that virtual worlds could be used in the classroom! Have you ever made something for instruction? What are these educational games for business training you mentioned?
You are taking 631 as well right? In our first case study, were the student interviews a type of virtual world tool?
Sorry for so many questions, I am just very interested in this!
Yes, I am in 631! I think the online case is a tiny first-person perspective virtual world based on my own knowledge. But not a typical one. You do can explore it and talk with Non-Player Character. But most educational virtual world I knew are larger then that. They have more scenes to explore and more tasks to investigate. Quest Atlantis(http://atlantisremixed.org/) is a famous one.
DeleteAs I have no teaching experience, so never used it in schooling education myself. What a pity!
Game for business training I knew came from a senior student, who was graduated in the same master program with me in China. Now she is in Japan to pursue her doctor degree. That game is her research. It is a bakery game about supply chain, to develop decision-making skills.
(Sorry if you are not in 631, I am having trouble remembering names! I know there are some people taking this course that are also taking 621 and 631)
ReplyDeleteHey Jiaming!! I look forward to reading the rest of your blog posts on Virtual Worlds. Sounds very interesting and something I really haven't looked into before. I really want to read more about how education can be related to this virtual world concept.
ReplyDeleteThat comment was from me.
Delete-Ricky