This blog talks about how Second Life (SL) or other virtual worlds can be used in a practical way, not just for entertainment or recreation. They argue that SL can be used to learn new languages since you are able to communicate with people all over the world. You can even have video chats with people around the world to get the physical gestures of different cultures along with the language. You can go to scheduled classes in SL to learn languages as well. SL has been established with colleges and universities where there are virtual classes, discussion, field trips, etc. It has been able to truly replace all aspects of reality. Just like in reality, SL has an economy; participants are able to buy “money” to buy things in SL.
Personally I don’t think SL is a sufficient way of learning, communicating, or practical in any way. I don’t think we should replacing reality with these virtual worlds and avatars. Going to Europe is not the same as going to Europe in the virtual world. You don’t get the same experiences. I’ve taken classes online but never in a virtual world, and I know I didn’t get the same learning experience as I would in a classroom. I think our time can be better well spent than in some virtual world. It’s just not real and the avatars are either just like a person in reality or not even close. I can’t trust or take that seriously.
This is exactly what I thought of when I was “playing” this game. But in hindsite I guess that it might be a good tool for learning especially for people who do not have much money to acutually pay for a class or travel.