Virtual world; new educational world?

Please watch this short video (2,43 minutes) and answer the question.

Real virtual worlds

Thanks to new technical possibilities and also by a changing idea about virtual worlds, we see a different perception on virtual worlds. The real world and the virtual world are for some people merging into each other. And although one of the most well-known environments Second Life is hyped a lot, it certainly has educational potential.

A virtual world like Second Life is for some people very engaging. They spend a lot of time in that world, they are buying things, they are building relationships, they feel emotions, they are creating, they are becoming their avatar (their digital self).

But virtual worlds like Second Life or ActiveWorlds are also used for educational purposes. In many ways:

• universities are having lectures within virtual universities;
• new products and interfaces can be tried;
• you can walk around virtual museums;
• you can experience certain historical places;
• etc.

Schizophrenic experience

In Second Life you can find the "Virtual Hallucinations Center" of UC Davis and University of Queensland.

This is one of the many spots, which are built with an education reason. The center is created to let you experience the daily life of a schizophrenic patient. In this virtual center you can walk through a building and find yourself in certain unpleasant and depressing situations. You start your 'trip' with choosing a male or female voice. During the experience some scary voices will pop up into your head. You will get some orders to kill yourself or pick up a gun. You will also experience what it will mean if you encounter visual distortions.

Moodle + Second Life = Sloodle

Sloodle is Open Source. They develop learning tools and structures for educators exploring 3D Multi-User Virtual Environments. Their first objective is to connect Second Life with Moodle. As you know Moodle is the learning environment we are using right now.

I'm wondering if this is a typical substitution approach (and we will end up with a horse-less carriage) or it will evolve into a rich, engaging learning environment.

If you want to see it for yourself, please visit the Sloodle website.