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Bret Ingerman's presentation from the SUNYIT COCID in April, 2009.
Citation preview
The Evolution of the Internet:
Using “Virtual Worlds” toEnhance Teaching, Learning,
and Scholarly Research
The Evolution of the Internet:
Using “Virtual Worlds” toEnhance Teaching, Learning,
and Scholarly Research
SUNY COCID
April 3, 2009SUNY COCID
April 3, 2009
Bret IngermanVice President for Computing and Information Services
Vassar College
Bret IngermanVice President for Computing and Information Services
Vassar College
AgendaAgenda
What? Why? Examples Future Concerns Challenges Closing Comments Q&A
What? Why? Examples Future Concerns Challenges Closing Comments Q&A
What?What? Is a Virtual World? Is a Virtual World?
What?What?
World: an environment that its inhabitants regard as being self-contained.
Is a Virtual World? Is a Virtual World?
What?What?
World: an environment that its inhabitants regard as being self-contained.
Virtual:
Real: That which is.
Imaginary: That which isn’t.
Virtual: That which isn't, having the form or effect of that which is.
Is a Virtual World? Is a Virtual World?
Virtual worlds are places where the imaginary meets the real.
Virtual worlds are places where the imaginary meets the real.
Richard Bartle
PeachPit Press
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.asp?p=99703&rl=1
excerpted from Designing Virtual Worlds by Richard A. Bartle (New Riders Publishing, 2003)
Richard Bartle
PeachPit Press
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.asp?p=99703&rl=1
excerpted from Designing Virtual Worlds by Richard A. Bartle (New Riders Publishing, 2003)
Virtual worlds provide a fundamentally social experience in what has traditionally
been a solitary medium.
Virtual worlds provide a fundamentally social experience in what has traditionally
been a solitary medium.Bret IngermanBret Ingerman
Goal oriented
Limited set of actions / controls
Limited ability to modify environment
Paying for the environment
Goal oriented
Limited set of actions / controls
Limited ability to modify environment
Paying for the environment
No specific goals
User defined actions and controls
User ability to modify the environment
Paying for the platform
No specific goals
User defined actions and controls
User ability to modify the environment
Paying for the platform
Why?Why?
Evolutionary… Evolutionary…
1.0 2.0 3.0
WebWeb
Why?Why?
Revolutionary Convergence…
Revolutionary Convergence…
Why?Why?
Exciting Inspiring They are in our future… …but they are in the present of our kids
Exciting Inspiring They are in our future… …but they are in the present of our kids
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressorare needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a decompressorare needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressorare needed to see this picture.QuickTime™ and a decompressorare needed to see this picture.
Why not the others?Why not the others?
Windows only Limited / no development abilities Uploads limited, if at all Acceptable materials defined by others
(PG-13) Limited market share
Windows only Limited / no development abilities Uploads limited, if at all Acceptable materials defined by others
(PG-13) Limited market share
Second Life: UsersSecond Life: Users
Over 12.2 million accounts in SL (Jan. ‘08) Probably 1/2 to 2/3 are unique
Demographics (Jan. 2008) Age: 35% are 25-34 Sex: 65% male, 35% female Location: 35% in USA
No recent demographics Possibly due to change in Linden leadership? Best guess: no increase in growth, or small decrease
Over 12.2 million accounts in SL (Jan. ‘08) Probably 1/2 to 2/3 are unique
Demographics (Jan. 2008) Age: 35% are 25-34 Sex: 65% male, 35% female Location: 35% in USA
No recent demographics Possibly due to change in Linden leadership? Best guess: no increase in growth, or small decrease
Second Life: CurrencySecond Life: Currency
While SL is free… …need $ for many ‘essential’ needs Linden Dollars (L $)
USD $1 = L $266 (8/08) LindeX
$8,941,800,000 Linden exchanged in 8/08 Over $9,500,000 USD exchanged in 8/08
24,757 L$ USD$ 300,455 USD$ L$
While SL is free… …need $ for many ‘essential’ needs Linden Dollars (L $)
USD $1 = L $266 (8/08) LindeX
$8,941,800,000 Linden exchanged in 8/08 Over $9,500,000 USD exchanged in 8/08
24,757 L$ USD$ 300,455 USD$ L$
Second Life: Building & ScriptingSecond Life: Building & Scripting
All objects and scripts created by residents All objects and scripts created by residents
All objects and scripts created by residents All objects and scripts created by residents
(the following movies were removed from presentation)(the following movies were removed from presentation)
Avatars Moving Around The Amphitheater on Vassar Island Castle Vassar The Virtual Reality Room on Vassar Island Virtual Art Gallery The Ghent Altarpiece The Sistine Chapel on Vassar Island Taylor and Main Hall Ferry House
Avatars Moving Around The Amphitheater on Vassar Island Castle Vassar The Virtual Reality Room on Vassar Island Virtual Art Gallery The Ghent Altarpiece The Sistine Chapel on Vassar Island Taylor and Main Hall Ferry House
Teaching and LearningTeaching and Learning
Media Studies2007
Media Studies2007
Media Studies2009
Women’s StudiesWomen’s Studies
Avatar’s in the Curriculum WMST 375
Senior Seminar in Women’s Studies “Thinking Women’s Bodies”
Avatar’s in the Curriculum WMST 375
Senior Seminar in Women’s Studies “Thinking Women’s Bodies”
AvatarsAvatars
ExamplesExamples
ExamplesExamples
ExamplesExamples
ExamplesExamples
(movie removed)
Sculpture:Doubleday Hall on Vassar Island
(movie removed)
Cognitive Science
ResearchResearch
Cognitive Science Research
Cognitive Science Research
Cognitive Science Research
Cognitive Science Research
Cognitive Science Research
(movie removed)
Chemistry:Rhodopsin Molecule
Voice Open source
Browser now Server ???
Realism Images Physics
More natural navigation
Future DirectionsFuture Directions
ConcernsConcerns
PrivacyPrivacy
Concern: CommercialConcern: Commercial
Web / Internet also commercial Has driven innovation in SL
Just like in RL
Web / Internet also commercial Has driven innovation in SL
Just like in RL
Dell Computer
SearsNBA
Pontiac
Sundance Channel
Coldwell Banker
Educational vs. Commercial
Educational vs. Commercial
Educational vs. Commercial
Educational vs. Commercial
Educational vs. Commercial
X X X
Concern: Adult OrientedConcern: Adult Oriented
So is the internet So is email
Spam Can avoid it just as on Internet
Or in RL Education and awareness BTW…
Frequently first to make money with new tech.
So is the internet So is email
Spam Can avoid it just as on Internet
Or in RL Education and awareness BTW…
Frequently first to make money with new tech.
Islands vs. ParcelsIslands vs. Parcels
(know your neighbors)(know your neighbors)
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Concern: Social IssuesConcern: Social Issues
2 types RL social issues SL social issues
2 types RL social issues SL social issues
Concern: RL Social IssuesConcern: RL Social Issues
“…Internet users in all countries spent more time per week socializing with friends than non-users.”
From World Internet Project, a project of the UCLA International Institute, February 9, 2004
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
“…Internet users in all countries spent more time per week socializing with friends than non-users.”
From World Internet Project, a project of the UCLA International Institute, February 9, 2004
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
Concern: RL Social IssuesConcern: RL Social Issues
Augment or enhance Not replace
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
Augment or enhance Not replace
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
Concern: SL Social IssuesConcern: SL Social Issues
Need a code of conduct Virtual worlds no diff. than other
technologies Angry email Anonymous blog posts
Need a code of conduct Virtual worlds no diff. than other
technologies Angry email Anonymous blog posts
Media Studies
Media Studies
Concern: CostConcern: Cost
Compared to? Island: less than USD $2,700 / year
Why single out this technology? LMS: $7,500 - $50,000 / year
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
Compared to? Island: less than USD $2,700 / year
Why single out this technology? LMS: $7,500 - $50,000 / year
Virtual worlds no diff. than other technologies
Concern: Why bother?Concern: Why bother?
Don’t get hung up on the nomenclature: Don’t get hung up on the nomenclature:Island / “sim”ulator
avatar
inventory
Linden Labs
buildings, cars, etc.
server
objects
account
file storage
hosting company
“It’s not real” Neither is your web site
At least try it before you rule it out
The genre will likely stay Remember Habbo Hotel?
92 million registered users 8.6 million unique visitors each month (36 minutes / session) 90% of users between 13 - 18 years old
- http://www.sulake.com/habbo
USD $30 million in revenue in 2005 From Nielsen Netratings, June 2006 as reported by
www.techcrunch.com, July 10, 2006
Remember Club Penguin? Founded in October, 2005 (1.5 million) 700,000 paid subscribers at $5.95 / month 4 million unique visitors in January, 2007
From “Your Igloo or Mine,” Newsweek, February 23, 2007
Disney purchased in August ‘07 for reported $700 million
The genre will likely stay Remember Habbo Hotel?
92 million registered users 8.6 million unique visitors each month (36 minutes / session) 90% of users between 13 - 18 years old
- http://www.sulake.com/habbo
USD $30 million in revenue in 2005 From Nielsen Netratings, June 2006 as reported by
www.techcrunch.com, July 10, 2006
Remember Club Penguin? Founded in October, 2005 (1.5 million) 700,000 paid subscribers at $5.95 / month 4 million unique visitors in January, 2007
From “Your Igloo or Mine,” Newsweek, February 23, 2007
Disney purchased in August ‘07 for reported $700 million
Concern: Why bother?Concern: Why bother?
ChallengesChallenges
Evolving technology Learning curve
Can be steep Changing UI
Software Frequent upgrades
Hardware Graphics intensive
Evolving technology Learning curve
Can be steep Changing UI
Software Frequent upgrades
Hardware Graphics intensive
ChallengesChallenges
Tech support Anonymity No local backup Must use SL development tools
But this is changing (sculpted prims)
Tech support Anonymity No local backup Must use SL development tools
But this is changing (sculpted prims)
CommentsComments
Fix what worked yesterday Find what is needed today Also… Explore & Evaluate new technology
See what sticks
Fix what worked yesterday Find what is needed today Also… Explore & Evaluate new technology
See what sticks
CommentsComments
Help plan the future Inform Inspire
Not just react What fun is that?
Help plan the future Inform Inspire
Not just react What fun is that?
Questions?Questions?
Thank you!Thank you!