IDT's virtual reality
The instructional design and technology department at ESU is off in another world. The creation of a virtual workplace for IDT students is underway at www.secondlife.com.
An avatar, or digital alter ego, represents participants in the 3-D world created entirely by its users. Dr. Marcus Childress, department chairman, and graduate student Derrick Richling, are represented by a chimpanzee and muscleman, respectively. Learn more about the department at its website.
Students create an “avatar,” or a digital alter ego, to navigate the world, interact with others, and create, buy and sell objects. At first glance, it’s a sophisticated video game. But the educational application for online learning is to move beyond the two-dimensional Blackboard model to a 3-D world that offers personality, fostering a greater sense of community among online learners.
Last Updated April 17, 2008