Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Over the past few years, virtual technology has increasingly been on the rise. Virtual worlds are computer-based simulated environment that allows users to explore a virtual world. Some of these are games that allows users to create avatars, explore a virtual world and interact with other users online. Some examples of virtual worlds include The Sims, IMVU, Minecraft, etc. Virtual worlds can be used in many ways, like in a classroom setting for instance. Especially during a time like this while the COVID-19 spreads and wrecks havoc in communities, many public schools are closing and are mandating students to learn remotely. Online platforms that are built for meetings are great examples of virtual technologies. However, during a time of limited face-to-face communication, more virtual world technologies will be implemented. Virtual campuses are becoming quite common with learning resources and student centers having a virtual presence. Other examples include virtual field trips, virtual classrooms and virtual platforms in libraries.

There are many pros and cons of virtual worlds technologies. One of the pros of this technology is that it creates solutions for many problems. For instance, according to the assigned article "After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?", Diane Mehta, the writer, has a Q&A with a Senior Scientist at USC. The article reiterated that the Senior Scientist, Jacki Morie, designed a virtual healing space for returning soldiers. Instead of creating a training space, Morie thought it would be best to design a healing space to repair the damage done for people going into these types of environments. Thus, this was a great benefit of virtual world technologies since it's purpose is to heal soldiers. Another pro of virtual world technologies is it's time efficiency. For instance, according to the assigned article, "Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life," IBM's chief technology officer Parmer states how him and his team saved so much travel time and additionally generated many new ideas due to Second Life's virtual world technology. As a result, virtual worlds come with many pros that benefit users.

While there are many pros of these technologies, there are also cons. Some cons include less face-to-face communication, functionality issues, expenses to implement the technologies, and so on. There are many cons that come with the benefits of these technologies. However, the creativity that virtual world technologies foster within users outweigh these cons. This creativity is developed within users because of the many built-in features that are implemented in these technologies. Since there are so many options and ways for a user to navigate through the technology, this will expand their minds to adapt to a new flexible technology. The future of virtual worlds will obviously advance much more. Maybe, we might even be able to see the future through the new VR technologies!

Works Cited: 

Mehta, Diane. “After Second Life, Can Virtual Worlds Get a Reboot?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 1 May 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/dianemehta/2013/04/30/after-second-life-can-virtual-worlds-get-a-reboot/#1a9e8f63735a.

Tutton, Mark. “Going to the Virtual Office in Second Life.” CNN, Cable News Network, 9 Nov. 2009, www.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/11/05/second.life.virtual.collaboration/index.html.