After the Conference
Attendance at this conference can last more than one day. Those registering this conference will become eligible to join an online community of people interested in the use of technology for teaching and promoting a variety of disciplines.
Links
Field Trips
Below are some of the locations you may visit on your field trips during the conference!
What are Virtual Worlds?
Virtual worlds are the 3d web and the next evolution of the Internet. Although a few virtual worlds started before the millennium, most did not begin until the last five years. There is tremendous growth in the development of and investment in current and new virtual worlds.
According to Wikipedia, "a virtual world is a computer-based simulated environment intended for its users to inhabit and interact via avatars." An avatar is a 2d or 3d digital persona a person can create for themselves to interact in a virtual worlds.
Many virtual worlds are heavily graphical. The virtual world may be a representation of the real world, or it could depict a fantasy world. Most virtual worlds are persistent, or exist whether a particular user is there or not and most are multi-user. In these worlds, users can build their own content and interact with others as avatars. Communication has been mostly text-based, but is now moving into voice over IP.
Some virtual worlds also have application sharing for video and document sharing. Some are globally based and others are on local platforms. Examples of virtual worlds include Second Life, There.com, QWAQ, Forterra, Protosphere, Whyville, Penguin Club.