Web 3.0 in Second Life
Web 3.0? I just found 2.0
As one of the many just catching the wave of Web 2.0, I was disheartened to hear that I was already missing the boat on Web 3.0. I am thinking maybe I should just wait. It feels like buying a sports game for PlayStation. It’s incredible for three whole months and then the new version is out. FYI, I am keeping the current version of Madden because I know the Steelers will stink in 08′ version.
Okay, time marches on and I must adapt. On March 2, 2007, Vicki Davis posted an an excellent Web 3.0 discussion. She calls Web 3.0 the “3D Web” and there is good news, you or your kids may be utilizing the 3D Web and not even realize it. For example, Sims Online, XBOX Live, Playstation Online, and Second Life.
I am on Second Life. Believe it or not, I joined SL for professional development and peer contact. My SL name is Ken Umarov. Check me out! In RL (real life) and SL, I am a member of ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education. The group has weekly socials and monthly meetings. It has been a great way for me to network with like minded individuals from the U.S. and around the world. (That’s me below. Striking huh?)
(Above is the SL ISTE Headquarters.) Along with professional organizations like ISTE, universities are building homes in SL. You can already visit a virtual campus to gather information about universities like Harvard and Georgia Tech.
Is this the future on on-line education?
For higher education, probably. As a degree candidate for an on-line university I could see how this would improve student learning and collaboration. Discussion boards are nice, but they are starting to feel a little to Y2K. For K-12, this may be a little too far out. I personally, would love to see it, but in a world where blogs and YouTube are locked down tight, I can’t see the jump happening anytime soon. Vicki puts it best. She writes,
“I think it is a given that your students will end up experiencing Second Life in a college class, so it is worth teachers going in there and understanding the environment. And remember, it is a video game, and Linden Labs is in there to make money.”
At least look
Although there are different worlds being created as we speak (see Vicki’s post), if you have a newer computer you should take a look at Second Life. If you are unsure, that’s alright, but please view this video created in SL and then decide if this “video game” has any RL applications.
http://snipurl.com/1bu9f
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Hey, Ken. My maiden name was Adams but now I go by Davis. FYI. I did a double take for a moment when I saw my old name up there! Thanks for the trip down memory lane! Great post, by the way on a very important topic!
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Welcome to your new home!
I know you’re going to like it here. ANd when you can start to connect student blogs to here you’ll LOVE it.
March 4th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Great post Ken!
I think we are all feeling a bit overwhelmed by this shift especially those that have yet to embrace the Social Web (2.0).
I, too, am in a program that is online: PhD in Educational Technology. There has been some resistance on their part to engage in Second Life, which is somewhat surprising. How has it been received at your university?
Happy Blogging!
April 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I think Learning 3.0 is going to be the shift of learning to the mobile platform. In Ireland, for example, they are already embracing mobile technology and integrating it into the university level courses. Here’s my take on Learn 3.0:
http://www.debaird.net/blendededunet/2007/02/learning_30_mob.html
The real question is how do we get the entrenched American education system to move to Web 1.5, let alone 2.0 or 3.0?