Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds
In the 21st century, we have seen such an influx of new and amazing technologies come into existence, from lightning fast internet all the way to the ability to call rides from your phone. One of the biggest innovations in the technological world has been the introduction and implementation of virtual reality and virtual worlds. The introduction of this new technology has impacted our society in many ways, whether it be in personal life, professional life, education, etc.
One of the ways that virtual worlds have been able to model our reality has been through its implementation in our education. As history has progressed, humans have found new and effective methods of administering education, making life better for both students and instructors. One method that has been introduced was introducing virtual reality into the classroom. There are numerous reasons why this is an addition that will show to be very beneficial. One reason is that since virtual reality is a fairy new form of technology, it will lead to more kids being interested in class and becoming more responsive/attentive. In the 21st century, kids absolutely love new technology. Therefore, introducing new technology like virtual reality will lead to kids being excited to go to class and learn the material. The implementation of virtual reality and virtual worlds in the classroom can also save schools a lot of money. According to the article "The virtual world moves into the classroom", by Joe Earle, we see how virtual reality has been used to take students on "field trips" to far away places without actually having to physically going there (saving money on things like travel expenses, food, etc). One of the schools that implemented this technology was able to go on a detailed virtual reality trip all the way to France to learn more about King Louis XIV. Truly, virtual worlds are modeling reality in the field of education.
Another way that virtual worlds have been able to model our reality has been through its implementation in the workplace. Adults love technology just as much as children (especially new, booming technology like virtual reality). By implementing virtual reality in the office space, companies have been able to connect many people from many different areas all together in ways they never could have before. According to the article "Going to the virtual office in Second Life", by Mark Tutton, we see how the chief technology officer was able to organize a meeting bringing together 350 people to discuss new ideas and strategies for IBM. The benefit of using a virtual world like Second Life, instead of a conference call, is that an individual is able to express themselves more using a virtual avatar, leading to better contributions which leads to fellow colleagues feeding off and contributing their own great ideas. Basically, the virtual environment was more engaging than a conference call could ever be. Truly, virtual reality could become key to the workplace in the near future.
There are pros and cons to this new technology, just like any other technology. As stated before, one of the biggest and brightest pros that virtual worlds offer is a outstanding push towards creativity and engagement. The amount of engagement an individual has within a virtual world (like Second Life for example) leads to more creative thinking and creative actions. People today are able develop new creative ways to modify current things with a virtual reality spin on it. For example, the NBA recently started to offer a virtual reality pass to some of their games, making it feel like you are in the stadium, while on your couch. Ideas like this comes from the creativity that virtual realities foster. Another pro, as discussed before is that it will help education in many different ways. Kids could use virtual worlds and reality to see a detailed model of the digestive system, and see different organs at work to gain a greater understanding. Students can view a mapping of how earthquakes happen using virtual reality which will again provide them with more engagement leading to more learning. There are cons however. In fact, I believe the future of virtual reality could lead to one of the biggest cons. I believe that in the near future, practically all jobs will only use virtual reality as their training, including high risk jobs. The problem with this is that people will lose the real world experience they get through hands on, in-person training. When you learn something solely off of virtual reality, there really isn't a consequence of failing that affects another person. If employees aren't exposed to an environment where there is face to face interaction during their early employment, overall employee and worker quality could decrease. I also see the potential of virtual worlds taking jobs away from many people. For example, tour guides for things like museums could become practically useless if you can put on a headset and go through a virtual tour.
Truly, virtual worlds have been mapping our reality, in good ways and possibly bad ways. Regardless of how anyone feels about this booming technology, it will be very interesting to see where virtual reality goes in the next few years.
Works Cited:
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.
“The Virtual World Moves into the Classroom.” Reporter Newspapers, 12 Sept. 2018, www.reporternewspapers.net/2018/09/14/the-virtual-world-moves-into-the-classroom/.
One of the ways that virtual worlds have been able to model our reality has been through its implementation in our education. As history has progressed, humans have found new and effective methods of administering education, making life better for both students and instructors. One method that has been introduced was introducing virtual reality into the classroom. There are numerous reasons why this is an addition that will show to be very beneficial. One reason is that since virtual reality is a fairy new form of technology, it will lead to more kids being interested in class and becoming more responsive/attentive. In the 21st century, kids absolutely love new technology. Therefore, introducing new technology like virtual reality will lead to kids being excited to go to class and learn the material. The implementation of virtual reality and virtual worlds in the classroom can also save schools a lot of money. According to the article "The virtual world moves into the classroom", by Joe Earle, we see how virtual reality has been used to take students on "field trips" to far away places without actually having to physically going there (saving money on things like travel expenses, food, etc). One of the schools that implemented this technology was able to go on a detailed virtual reality trip all the way to France to learn more about King Louis XIV. Truly, virtual worlds are modeling reality in the field of education.
Another way that virtual worlds have been able to model our reality has been through its implementation in the workplace. Adults love technology just as much as children (especially new, booming technology like virtual reality). By implementing virtual reality in the office space, companies have been able to connect many people from many different areas all together in ways they never could have before. According to the article "Going to the virtual office in Second Life", by Mark Tutton, we see how the chief technology officer was able to organize a meeting bringing together 350 people to discuss new ideas and strategies for IBM. The benefit of using a virtual world like Second Life, instead of a conference call, is that an individual is able to express themselves more using a virtual avatar, leading to better contributions which leads to fellow colleagues feeding off and contributing their own great ideas. Basically, the virtual environment was more engaging than a conference call could ever be. Truly, virtual reality could become key to the workplace in the near future.
There are pros and cons to this new technology, just like any other technology. As stated before, one of the biggest and brightest pros that virtual worlds offer is a outstanding push towards creativity and engagement. The amount of engagement an individual has within a virtual world (like Second Life for example) leads to more creative thinking and creative actions. People today are able develop new creative ways to modify current things with a virtual reality spin on it. For example, the NBA recently started to offer a virtual reality pass to some of their games, making it feel like you are in the stadium, while on your couch. Ideas like this comes from the creativity that virtual realities foster. Another pro, as discussed before is that it will help education in many different ways. Kids could use virtual worlds and reality to see a detailed model of the digestive system, and see different organs at work to gain a greater understanding. Students can view a mapping of how earthquakes happen using virtual reality which will again provide them with more engagement leading to more learning. There are cons however. In fact, I believe the future of virtual reality could lead to one of the biggest cons. I believe that in the near future, practically all jobs will only use virtual reality as their training, including high risk jobs. The problem with this is that people will lose the real world experience they get through hands on, in-person training. When you learn something solely off of virtual reality, there really isn't a consequence of failing that affects another person. If employees aren't exposed to an environment where there is face to face interaction during their early employment, overall employee and worker quality could decrease. I also see the potential of virtual worlds taking jobs away from many people. For example, tour guides for things like museums could become practically useless if you can put on a headset and go through a virtual tour.
Truly, virtual worlds have been mapping our reality, in good ways and possibly bad ways. Regardless of how anyone feels about this booming technology, it will be very interesting to see where virtual reality goes in the next few years.
Works Cited:
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.
“The Virtual World Moves into the Classroom.” Reporter Newspapers, 12 Sept. 2018, www.reporternewspapers.net/2018/09/14/the-virtual-world-moves-into-the-classroom/.
Hey Roshen, I completely agree with what you and the article said. I as well believe that the idea of a virtual world and virtual reality brings us humankind to places that we could only dream of. Examples like traveling to space is a farfetched ideal; however with the virtual world, we could bring as many people as we want there without having to worry about anything.
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