Virtual+Worlds


 * Virtual 21st Century Skills**

Handout -

Articles / Research
 * Focus on 21st Century Skills - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=55881
 * Gaming Improves Math Scores - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/around-the-web/index.cfm?i=55919
 * Research on Impact on Learning - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=54917
 * Nearly Every Kid a Gamer - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/research/?i=55252
 * A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of Computer Games as Learning Tools - http://www.igi-global.com/downloads/excerpts/7960.pdf
 * Social Skills in Second Life - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7012645/

The Metaverse - http://www.metaverseroadmap.org/overview/ The Metaverse Overview PDF - http://www.metaverseroadmap.org/MetaverseRoadmapOverview.pdf  **Definitions**
 * **Avatar** : Computer representation of a user. Can mean “incarnation”.
 * **MetaVerse** : Fully immersive 3D virtual spaces where humans interact (as avatars) with each other (socially and economically) and with software agents in a cyber space that uses the metaphor of the real world without the physical limitations. From the book “Snow Crash” by Neal Stevenson. (Wikipedia)
 * **RPG** : Role Playing Game. Players typically take on fictional characters such as elves, vampires, dwarfs, wizards, etc.
 * **MUD** : Multi-User Dungeon, Domain or Dimension, a multi-player computer came that combines elements of role-playing, hack and slash style computer games and social chat rooms. Usually text-driven where players read descriptions of rooms, objects, events, other characters, and computer controlled creatures or non-player characters (NPCs) in a virtual world. (Wikipedia)
 * **MOO** : MUD Object Oriented - a text-based online virtual reality system in which multiple users (players) are connect at the same time. Object oriented means that users can perform object oriented programming within the server that changes how it behaves to all the users. Examples include creating new rooms, objects, and new interfaces.
 * **MMORPGs** : Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.
 * **Pervasive** : A pervasive game may be a game that runs 24 hours a day (though the game’s internal concept of a day may be different). Players can enter the game and interact with each other at any time. Second Life is an example of this type of pervasive game. Or a pervasive game may be a place independent game. For example a player may enter the game on a computer or on a cell phone, integrating to a degree the physical and virtual world. There are add-ons to SL, such as being able to text message into Second Life from an IM and receive messages live from SL, that make it pervasive in this context as well.


 * Virtual Worlds**
 * Top 100 Virtual Worlds for Kids - http://www.virtualworldsexpo.com/schedule/100.html
 * Webkinz - http://www.webkinz.com/
 * JumpStart Virtual World - http://www.jumpstart.com/
 * JumpStart Interactive Map - http://www.jumpstart.com/aboutus/interactivemap.aspx
 * Cartoon Network FusionFall - http://www.fusionfall.com/index.html
 * Cartoon Network Video Preview - http://www.fusionfall.com/video/index.html
 * Edusim - http://edusim3d.com/index.php
 * Edusim Youtube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etBpUcNGVlU
 * Dimension M - http://www.tabuladigita.com/
 * Quest Atlantis - http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/
 * Quest Atlantis Screen shots - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZoT3pilNPI
 * Quest Atlantis Kids Report - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQpoHq82B4
 * Second Life / Teen Second Life - http://www.secondlife.com
 * Google Earth - http://earth.google.com/
 * Portal - http://store.steampowered.com/app/410/
 * Portal 2D Flash - http://portal.wecreatestuff.com/
 * Spore - http://www.spore.com/
 * Spore Screen Movies - http://www.spore.com/what/screensmovies
 * Photosynth - http://photosynth.net/default.aspx
 * Brain Age - http://www.brainage.com/launch/index.jsp


 * Accessibility Resources**


 * Assistive Gaming . http://www.assistivegaming.com/
 * AbleGamers . http://ablegamers.com/
 * PCS Games . http://www.pcsgames.net/


 * Games**


 * Auditorium . http://www.playauditorium.com/
 * Spore . http://www.spore.com
 * PeaceMaker . http://www.peacemakergame.com/


 * Game Development Software**


 * Game Maker . http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/
 * 3D Gamemaker . http://t3dgm.thegamecreators.com/


 * Groups in Second Life**


 * Wheelies . http://slurl.com/secondlife/Taupo/168/91/23
 * GimpGirl Community . http://slurl.com/secondlife/3DE/171/25/22
 * Virtual Ability . http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/129/129/23
 * Autism Support in SL . http://slurl.com/secondlife/Erzulie/230/152/84
 * Autistic Liberation Front . http://slurl.com/secondlife/Porcupine/29/177/107


 * Education/Cognition**

RezEd. educators resource for virtual worlds and education. developed by the GlobalKids through a MacArthur Foundation grant. http://www.rezed.org

Pacific Rim Exchange. great resources for educational uses of Second Life - http://pacificrimx.wordpress.com/

Route21. a roadmap for 21st century skills - http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/route21/

Resources for Visual Spatial Skill Development

Students today are growing and developing in virtual environments where success may depend upon good:
 * visual memory
 * perspective coordination
 * spatial organization
 * mental rotations
 * patterning

Students that have problems with these types of skills may need support. One model of support involves continued movement from concrete spatial skill development to representational skills to abstract. Here are some resources to help support visual spatial development and making the connection between concrete, representational, and abstract.

Drawing & Painting


 * Draw 3D : http://www.draw3d.com/lessons.htm . A Mark Kistler drawing instruction site with lots of training videos on how to draw with perspective and a 3D effect. Scroll down in the video section to see some free drawing videos.
 * The Draw Squad : http://www.drawsquad.com/ . Another 3D drawing site by Mark Kistler.
 * Sketch & Smudge : http://www.sketchandsmudge.com/ . Inexpensive drawing software that realistically mimics chalk and smudge sticks. It includes drawing tutorials. For Windows.
 * Art Rage : http://www.ambientdesign.com/artrage.html . Free natural media paint software for Windows and Macintosh.

Modeling


 * Make It Software : http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm . Free resources that include printable paper models for creating a town, village, farm, and castle.
 * Diorama Designer : http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=DIODIO . Commercial software for creating printable dioramas.
 * Community Construction Kit : http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=CCKCCK . Customize, print, and create a variety of paper towns and communities.
 * BlockCad : [|http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm] . Virtual legos for Windows.
 * LEGO Factory : http://factory.lego.com/ . More virtual legos.
 * Google Sketch Up : http://sketchup.google.com/ . Design virtual architecture. Free, for Windows and Macintosh.

Visual Spatial


 * Jungle Chess : ftp://ftp.paec.org/pd3/scs95.exe . Virtual board game for Windows. Rules are included. Highly engaging.
 * Neighborhood Map Machine : http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=NEIV20 . Create maps of neighborhoods and communities, real or imaginary.
 * Lexia Cross Trainer : http://www.lexialearning.com/forschools/products/crosstrainer.php . Visual spatial skill intervention software that uses a game controller and charts skill progress.

