Virtual Worlds - reviewed by Marilyn Bender

I chose to review an article from the e-Learning Guild rather then distance educator.com. My interests and learning needs relate to the corporate rather then acedemic environment. I have attached the article.

Leveckis, A. (2009 September 14). Virtual Worlds: Barriers to Their Business Value and Operability. Learning Solutions Magazine, 1-9.

Immersive simulation platforms such as Second Life have received mixed reviews for practical application in the corporate learning environment. This article does not discuss the benefits of the technology for learning although it suggests those benefits may be great if used appropriately. It explores the usual objections and barriers to the effective use of the technology such as a steep learning curve for users, cost, bias from non-gamers and a failure of most corporations to use it for anything more than a fancy “web conference-type” meeting tool. It reminds L&D decision makers to focus on the business need and ensure the technology is used as a solution to a business problem – adding value to the organization.

This week, I was invited to a Second Life demonstration hosted by the Marketing department in my company. As a company, we have no experience with distance technology other than teleconference and web conference. It was interesting to watch a group of trainers get excited about a platform and want to dive in without having experienced it as a learner. I believe my peers have unrealistic expectations about the technology and its application and have seriously underestimated the challenges they would face creating an effective learning experience when moving from instructor-led to a simulated face-to-face distance platform. This article came as a timely resource, helping to remind us that the technology must serve to create a learning experience that helps our learners achieve their learning goals and that there are barriers to consider before adopting a new training technology.