Virtual worlds can be used in many different ways. In the Forbes article "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?" the author discusses how many people think about the internet as just a flat screen when it is actually very interactive. In the game Minecraft players discover a virtual world that can be described as a "digital LEGO" where people build and create things online. In the journal titled "Situated Learning in Virtual Worlds and Immersive Simulations" researchers discovered that virtual worlds can develop immersive simulations that create a compelling, collaborative, and participatory experience for the user not possible in the real world to enhance users' learning.
The pros of virtual worlds is that it is very accessible. There does not need to be any traveling, only an internet access is sufficient to access virtual worlds. Also, it gives people the opportunity to engage in learning opportunities that might not be applicable in real life. The cons of virtual reality is that some people might use it as an outlet for dissatisfaction in their real lives. Because of this people may be engaged in their virtual worlds rather than their real lives.
Virtual worlds certainly foster creativity because they allow users to engage in activities that are not available in real life. An application that fosters creativity is Minecraft because it lets players create environments with very basic applications. But with these basic applications the end results are endless. I think the future of virtual worlds will expand into virtual reality where we can engage our senses into the virtual space.
Citations:
1. After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get A Reboot. April 30, 2013. http://www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/
2. Situated Learning in Virtual Worlds and Immersive Simulations http://mfile.narotama.ac.id/files/Jurnal/Jurnal%202012-2013/Situated%20learning%20in%20virtual%20worlds%20and%20immersive%20simulations.pdf
Great post. I don't play Minecraft myself, but I have seen superb creations uploaded on Youtube. I agree that Virtual Worlds stimulate creativity. It allows people to undertake what would be considered financially nonviable projects in real life such as building Lord of the Rings castles on Minecraft.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your blog. The use of technology is helping us to be more creative and involve with innovation. The availability of resource over the internet help us to think and create new things. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete