Modeling Reality: Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Virtual worlds are used by many people for different purposes, including personal and professional use. Gaming is one way that virtual worlds are used; the gaming world being strongly influenced by fantasy and science fiction occupy most of the large virtual worlds that exists today. Virtual worlds are also used in education; some examples are museums and gallery spaces. Some other ways that virtual world are used include military training, political expression, rehabilitation and of course for socializing and building online communities.

Ed Frauenheim in IBM Learning Programs Get a ‘Second Life’ outlines how IBM can benefit from virtual worlds, he states that “The idea is to expedite orientation, as well as improve mentoring relationships. IBM has found a way to make their training process more appealing to employees and stay updated with new technology at the same time. A virtual world encourages the formation of in-world social groups like teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods. Individuals who have problems interacting with others face to face are able to meet people in these environments under less pressure. People with disabilities are also able to take advantage of virtual worlds. One individual with autism says that “The graphical representations of real people create a "comfort zone" that can coax users out of their shells and get them communicating with others” in 'Naughty Auties' battle autism with virtual interaction by Nicole Saidi.

One problem that might occur as a result of a virtual world is the fact that more and more people are going to limit themselves to socializing on the internet. There might no longer be a need to meet friends face to face since people will be confined to a computer. I can see virtual worlds being used for online classes in the future, which would be interesting.