39
Virtual Realities
Insight
Panellists and audience at Virtual Worlds at Work Sleminar Neurosky uses new devices for learning
HQ, he let me off the hook by saying how accelerate these processes to the point
Today’s virtual worlds of the web
amusing people thought it was. where young people have many skills and conference and Second Life Seminar
capabilities that exceed those tasked with (SLeminar) are only different in the sense
I mention this anecdote because the tutor teaching them. that they are synchronous and more like
had been given the nickname ‘Or is it?’ traditional classroom learning in which
because of his habit of asking rhetorical real time interaction can help shape
questions all of which seemed to end with a more uniform and homogeneous
the words ‘Or is it?’
“As Bones might have
learning experience.
said to Captain Kirk
This is perhaps a rather contrived
segue into the topic of this article – an
on the deck of the
Neurosky uses brainwaves to control
the computer
exploration of the role of electronic games Starship Enterprise
Once the notion becomes commonly
and virtual worlds like Second Life in
“It’s learning Jim – but
accepted that serious games and virtual
Learning. As Bones might have said to
worlds are not new concepts in the
Captain Kirk on the deck of the Starship
not as we know it,” to
spectrum of learning, the world may have to
Enterprise “It’s learning Jim – but not as
which I will neatly add
brace itself for a whole host of new devices
we know it” to which I will neatly add the
question “Or is it?”
the question “Or is it?”
that could potentially totally transform the
way we use technology to learn.
In my role as Director of the Serious
Devices include the Neurosky monitor
Games Institute, I often encounter a lot
brainwave activity to determine levels
of scepticism about the role of electronic Entering the virtual world created by
of concentration and meditation. With
games and virtual worlds in learning. There the cave artist
surprisingly little practice and without
is a sense, especially among the business Nor are virtual worlds new to learning
calibration of the device, most people can
community that it is all a gimmick and alien activities. Whenever we look at a painting,
quickly begin to control technology with
to true learning activities. My response read a book, listen to the radio or watch
the power of thought. When this begins to
these days is to point out that games and television we enter a virtual world that we
find its way onto the consumer market on
virtual worlds have been fundamental to share with the creator of that work. The
the scale of the Nintendo Wii, once again
effective learning since the dawn of time. virtual world is a shared experience which
we may hear the cry “It’s learning Jim but
is shaped by two or more people coming
not as we know it – or is it ?”
Children’s Games by Pieter Breugel together into a space that only exists in our
The painting by Pieter Breugel shows a minds and that is dynamically created by
whole host of activities where people are the different experiences and perceptions
David Wortley is Director of the Serious
learning about themselves, developing of the creator and the beholder. By
Games Institute (SGI). The World of
Learning will host a Seriuos Games
new skills, discovering the world around definition the learning experience is
Village at the NEC on 19 & 20 November.
them, and measuring their capabilities individual, personal and unique to the To pre-register visit www.learnevents.com
against their peers. Today, the activities learner. In these types of virtual worlds,
or call +44(0)20 8394 5171. For more
are the same – it is only the medium that the learning experience is asynchronous
information call David on 024 7615 8202
or email dwortley@cad.coventry.ac.uk or
is new. The current generation is in a because the creation and the learning
visit www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk.
world where technology can assist and experience are separated in time.
Learning Magazine
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