Pilot Study under way and Second Life Video

Started my pilot study this term, to measure what the differences are between video gamers and non-video gamers, when they enter Second Life as learners.

I made this video to introduce the study and, introduce Second Life and how education is used there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTGhp0oONKE&list=UU1YP7__CTLIoBrjVVz50tiA&index=1&feature=plpp_video

The Sense of Touch in Virtual Worlds: Haptic Technology

Stanford University is working on the use of haptic technology, for virtual worlds. As we delve farther into virtual spaces, the sense of touch is something missing. Video games that "rumble" offer a great example of how the sense of touch in the virtual is powerful. Using this in Second Life for exploration and interaction would be quite interesting!

Now, sense of smell in the virtual? They kind of manage it on Soarin' Over California at California Adventure. Long way to go though.

This video speaks a little about haptic technologies used in Second Life. How could we use this with distance learners? We can already feel butterflies in our stomach by watching movies and playing video games or reading exciting books (and riding with some family members who drive...interesting). What about constructionism principles designed into virtual spaces, learning experiences? Cool, man!

Augmented Reality and Teaching

I was introduced to this at ISTE in Philadelphia last summer. Augmented Reality is to me, part of a revolution to recreate and "augment" the physical world in the digital, for the purpose of interaction.

But, in order to be valuable in education, there must be transfer from the technology, based on sound instructional design, to real, physical life.