“ Is education in virtual worlds becoming part of our identity and what are the implications for the future?”

Contents Today I will be talking to you about; The Current Education System What is a Virtual World What is Online Identity Media within the Classroom How Technology is Changing the Future.

The Current Education System Novak (1998) suggests traditional teaching is concerned with the teacher being the controller of the learning environment Teachers have to be formally dressed Show authority Pupils have uniforms too Teachers and pupils identity Activities can be limited Homework.

“Virtual worlds are persistent, avatar-based social spaces that provide players or participants with the ability to engage in long-term, joint coordinated action”. (Thomas and Brown, 2009,p. 2)

What is a Virtual World? Three-dimensional world that has been created by using Computer Graphics Imaging (CGI) Avatar Two different genres of virtual worlds. These are  Those created for gaming  Those created for virtual communities Second Life Multiplayer element Communicate with different users from around the world A way to get out of the real world.

“This mask represents the conception we have formed of ourselves – the role we are striving to live up to – this mask is our truer self, the self we would like to be. In the end, our conception of our role becomes second nature and an integral part of our personality”. (Goffman, in Childs, 2011, p. 5)

What is Online identity? Identity makes the person who they are Change your identity in the virtual world Goffman (1959) states that we all have a persona Everyday life Change all aspects of yourself New identity.

“ In general, individuals tend to express more aspects of their true selves when they interact with others on the Internet than when they interact in person” (Mckenna, Green, Smith in Childs 2011, p. 9) ‘True self’ Whoever they want without fear.

Media within the Classroom Evolved over the last few decades ICT Microsoft Office Create videos Manipulate images Systems Online virtual worlds Interactive Digital Archive for WW1 First hand experience.

How Technology is Changing the Future? Media is changing every second of the day Educational tools Knowledge of social networking site Game teaching Study in their own environment Writing paper and pens scrapped Stop favouritism with teachers and pupils Attendance will increase Participating without confrontation.

Conclusion Current education system is changing. Technological advances in media. Schools more involved in virtual worlds within education. Identity is changing. People don’t like their Identity Change it using virtual worlds.

Thank You For Listening

References Childs, M. (2011a) ‘Identity: A Primer’, in Peachey, A. & Childs, M. (eds.) Reinventing Ourselves: Contemporary Concepts of Identity in Virtual Worlds. London: Springer. Goffman, E. (1959) The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, UK: London, Penguin Kanye, R,. Foster, N. (2012) What is a Virtual World [online], [Last accessed, 14/05/2012]. Novak, J. (1998) Learning, Creating and Using Knowledge: Concept Maps as Facilitative Tools in Schools and Corporations; Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc; New Jersey, pp Thomas, D,. Brown, S, J. (2009) Why Virtual Worlds Can Matter. International Journal of Media and Learning, 1(1) pp. 1-20