It’s about time you learned a little about online gaming.  Maybe you no longer care if your kids consider their parents to be dorks.  But, if the conversation turns technical at your next social gathering, you don’t want to be limited to well-timed, pseudo-intellectual nodding.  You’ll resemble a bobbling dashboard hula doll.  Soon your supposed friends will begin slowly backing away until you're solo at room center, sipping your Cabernet while feigning innocent naivety.

Avoid unnecessary embarrasment. Study these 8 facts, guaranteed to make you the belle of the ball… the erudite and loquacious hit of your next soiree.   People will be chattering for months about your fascinating grasp of technology.  (Well, you can fool some of the people some of the time….)

Fact #1:  Second Life is an example of an MMPORPG or Massive MultiPlayer Online Role Playing Game. Courtesy of the wikipedia:

The Maldives was the first country to open an embassy in Second Life. The Maldives' embassy is located on Second Life's "Diplomacy Island", where visitors will be able to talk face-to-face with a computer-generated ambassador about visas, trade and other issues.

In May 2007 Sweden became the second country to open an embassy in Second Life. Run by the Swedish Institute, the embassy serves to promote Sweden's image and culture, rather than providing any real or virtual services.

In August 2007, a $750,000 in-world bank called Ginko Financial collapsed due to a bank run triggered by Linden Lab's ban on gambling, which halved the size of the Second Life economy.

Fact #2:  While gaming will never replace face-to-face education, it does deserve serious consideration as a valuable resource. 

Language learning is the most widespread type of education in virtual worlds,with many universities, mainstream language institutes and private language schools using 3D virtual environments to support language learning.

Fact #3:  There is a Second Life community for people with autism, started by John Lester, a gentleman with a long career organizing special needs communities.  Interesting guy.   Read an introduction to Brigadoon

 

Fact #4:  Some people with autism appreciate Second Life.  A nice blog by Aniya (aka The English Teacher) featuring a video called Second Life residents speak out

Fact #5:  Gaming is being taken quite seriously by institutions of higher learning. View a slideshow by Simon Bignell, University of Derby about the use of online gaming for autism

There are over one hundred regions used for educational purposes covering subjects such as chemistry and English. Research has uncovered development, teaching and/or learning activities which use Second Life in over 80 percent of UK universities. At least 300 universities around the world teach courses or conduct research in SL.

Fact #6:  The American Psychological Association (APA) explains some of gaming’s appeal; game worlds allow social interaction without the associated social anxiety.  Read Can Second Life therapy help with autism?

Fact #7:  The Autistic Liberation Front has assembled a museum exhibition about autism.  You may view the exhibition by signing up (its free).  Just click the link provided at page bottom.

Fact #8:  This final clip, produced by the Second Life in New Zealand Project is neither for nor about autism.  It is a training video for expectant couples and care providers.  But, as you view it, you begin to appreciate the impact video modeling has on children with autism.

http://grou.ps/virtualenvironmentsvideos/videos/1495822

Armed with these 8 facts, you too can appear to know what you're talking about.  You be the center of attention.  However, should anyone ask a question we haven't covered, simply tell them to Google it.... just like you did.

 

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