Shiv on Learning

Above is an extract of a presentation I have given several times this year. It covers the history of learning of virtual worlds. This is important because learning complex skills is something that has always taken place in Virtual Worlds, the process by which this is done is often not known by educators.

Key Points:

• 3D Virtual Worlds have existed for a long time and have traditionally been used for computer games – they are not new.
• Wolfenstien 3D was probably the first popular 3D game [1] .
• MMOs allow multiple players from allover the world to collaborate in 3D worlds in real time [2] .
• Computer games require the player to master complex skills to complete them.
• These skills are all learned by playing the game.
• Many people have learned English from computer games.
• They did this the same way they learned any other skill in the game.

In short Learning in Virtual worlds, including Language Learning, was taking place long before any educator had considered the medium.

To find out how this is done, play a computer game :D