Jumping Virtual Hurdles Ren Reynolds Founder: the Virtual Policy Network

Virtual Policy Network Think tank dedicated to public policy implications of virtual worlds Working with: BERR, COI, OECD etc.

Think tank dedicated to public policy implications of virtual worlds

Working with:

BERR, COI, OECD etc.

Taxonomy Virtual World: super set of things that meet Bartle’s characteristics Three (and a bit) types: Social world : No overarching ostensible game goal e.g. There.com, SL Kids worlds: Stardoll, Habbo, Webkins, Club Penguin, vMTV Game world : Game goals encoded into the artifact e.g. WoW Serious / Private / Corporate world : use of a platform such as Olive for training

Virtual World: super set of things that meet Bartle’s characteristics

Three (and a bit) types:

Social world : No overarching ostensible game goal e.g. There.com, SL

Kids worlds: Stardoll, Habbo, Webkins, Club Penguin, vMTV

Game world : Game goals encoded into the artifact e.g. WoW

Serious / Private / Corporate world : use of a platform such as Olive for training

Proposition When used in the appropriate context virtual world technology can enhance learning outcomes

When used in the appropriate context virtual world technology can enhance learning outcomes

I can see the problems!

Where are the solid cases and best practice?

Fear Parental fear Student fear Fear of students Fear of Law Establishment

Parental fear

Student fear

Fear of students

Fear of Law

Establishment

Fear part 2 Not real Just a Game

Not real

Just a Game

Fear part 3 Image Sex and shopping Last year’s fad

Image

Sex and shopping

Last year’s fad

Money Actual cash Budget lines Procurement processes

Actual cash

Budget lines

Procurement processes

Technology Choice SL Multiverse WoW IT Support / firewalls Professional Development

Choice

SL

Multiverse

WoW

IT Support / firewalls

Professional Development

Old maps uncharted waters Measuring Collaborative techniques Codes of conduct Dress Race Language

Measuring

Collaborative techniques

Codes of conduct

Dress

Race

Language

Political Agenda Mixed messages Byron Review Child safe internet

Mixed messages

Byron Review

Child safe internet

Misc Logistics e.g. Teen Grid Hobby time - moving to

Logistics e.g. Teen Grid

Hobby time - moving to

Ren Reynolds www.virtualpolicy.net [email_address] +44 7778 285 273 Twitter etc /RenZephyr

Ren Reynolds

www.virtualpolicy.net

[email_address]

+44 7778 285 273

Twitter etc /RenZephyr