The Evolution of our Children's Education: Virtual Worlds

Really?

Do you know what a MUVE is?

A MUVE is type of software, almost like a game created to inspire children, tweens, and teens to learn about science, history, and other subjects.

However, unlike video games and social networking sites, which often elicit negative associations for adults, teachers, and parents, MUVES are somewhat structured environments with rules for behavior. MUVE works to help kids to figure out the issues and goals they need to succeed in the environment they are in or have time to socialize.

Thankfully, learning-based virtual worlds are growing more popular in schools and among youth, due to efforts by major universities and private companies. Stefanie Olsen in CNET News.com discusses many different programs such as privately held companies like Pasadena, Calif, Numedeon, makers of Whyville. Harvard University's "River City" is a MUVE that involves a society in the late 1800's that's in a political and environmental disrepair-kids must figure out why residents are falling ill. According to Stefanie Olsen, Harvard's School of Education is in talks with several urban school districts to introduce the software to tens of thousands of school children this fall.

I recall a panel discussion in 2007 at The University of Southern California (USC) that was held to discuss the effects of virtual wolds on children. Doug Thomas, Associate professor at USC's Annenberg School of Communication, said during this panel that during this virtual environment, kids are learning how to be members of a citizenship and are picking up skills they will need in the future workforce.

Additionally, he spoke to the fact that the virtual worlds are really helpful in the world of education when needing help teaching things that are hard to teach in a traditional way or classroom. Issues such as ethics and values, games that allow kids to play out scenarios and allow the kids to play out situations from different angles, and letting them see the various effects has amazing effects.

One of the most interesting comments that Doug Thomas made in 2007, that stuck with me all of these years, was when he was quoted saying, " If you're a parent, I would be much less concerned about things like online predators or violence then I would be about the conflation between consumption and consumerism and citizenship (in virtual worlds)." Doug Thomas, Annenberg School of Communication http//news.cnet.com/what-kids-learn-in-virtual-worlds/2009

Hopefully, we will pack our bags and join our children in this virtual world that our children journey through.....