Virtual Worlds for Global Communication

Catalog description

Explores the nature of virtual worlds and the multiple uses of these three-dimensional environments (also called metaverses) for new literate and global communications in the 21st century. Uses a combination of a textbook; Blackboard; popular virtual worlds, including Second Life (SL), and Internet resources (e.g., Web sites, e-discussion lists, YouTube videos) to explore the potential of virtual worlds. Explores the capabilities of several of the more than 70 virtual worlds for education, recreation, advancing social justice, global communication, socializing and networking. Participants critically examine the affordances of virtual worlds through readings, videos, online discussions, self-paced tutorials and brief reaction papers. Students receive demonstrations and guided tours by the professor and participate in individual and group explorations of virtual worlds