Virtual world educational environments may not have yet replaced real classrooms, but they are becoming quite integral to the future of education, say the organizers of the 2009 Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education Conference to be held in Second Life, March 27-29. Conference keynote speakers and panels will focus on how virtual world environments can help today’s learners become all they can be, while helping to build the work force of tomorrow.

As this is a Virtual event, it is quite simple to attend. For more information about this fantastic opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the future holds in the Virtual Realms, visit The Education Conference Website.

The three-day conference will be an opportunity for virtual communities from around the world to showcase projects, courses, events, and present research that lead to best practices in education. From presentations on the architecture of designing a virtual classroom and campus to projects that engage middle school students with math, science and languages to the award-winning 3D-Wiki technology created in Second Life used to design a medical clinic in Nepal, the VWBPE conference is dedicated to furthering the creation of innovative, interactive and immersive environments.

Keynote speakers and panelists for the conference represent a wide range of institutions, leading universities as well as K-12 school systems that use Second Life as part of their educational programs.

Hmmmm… I think it is really about time we jumped into the 21st Century as far as education is concerned. Why waste all the time and energy traveling back an forth, let alone taking up space that can be better used, when we can educate ourselves from the comforts of our homes? Socialization isn’t a problem either, as we can connect either virtually with our friends and family (near or far), and will have more time to get together in person to experience Life. Seriously, we need to advance our realities to catch up with the times.

What a great feeling it is to log onto the net and explore to my hearts content. There is so much to see and do, that I am amazed with everything I am discovering. My daughter just had a birthday, and besides the usual mall trip, movies, and a day full of mom and daughter special treats, I got her a new computer. I love my computer (which is new as well), but I love hers even better!

Her computer is a slight upgrade from mine, and now we can play in the Virtual Worlds together. We have been waiting months to do this, as before we had to share our play time. Her computer just couldn’t handle the newer graphics. Now we can do what we want, and take our adventures to a totally new level! I am so excited, and after we finish our morning lessons (I homeschool my daughter), we are heading into the realms of Warhammer Online to begin our journey of questing in a land full of great new adventures!!

So far we are both happy with what we are finding in game at Warhammer. We like to roleplay a lot, as this is a great escape from the stresses of this world we live in. We also love to connect with family and friends, and the game serves to bring us together in a place where reality is quite different from that in which we wake to each day. Well then, I had better get to it and finish my work (which is really play), so we can jump into a new land just waiting to be explored!

Enjoy

As the world changes, growing into a dynamic and technological force in which the internet will play a leading role, it is interesting to track the Virtual applications being employed as they develop. We are entering a phase of develpment in which virtual realities will serve many purposes from expanding our imaginations, to providing virtual productivity in the realms of commerce. The internet is creating powerful ways to connect, and the Virtual Worlds are going to change the way people do business.

So let’s take a look at one such Virtual system which caught my eye with the power it represents.

Virtual Greats is the world’s leading virtual goods sales and distribution system, connecting celebrities, artists, content creators, IP holders, and luxury brands with a new generation of fans through the online trade of likenesses, fashion, catchphrases, and other virtual representations of real-world talent. Based in Los Angeles, Virtual Greats is affiliated with Millions of Us LLC, an agency specializing in virtual worlds and large online communities.

Our three product lines of Artists/Celebrity, IP Holders, and luxury brands, create virtual world extensions of the names and brands we love in real life. By licensing well known movie stars and characters, singers, sports leagues, and consumer brands, Virtual Greats opens a new sales channel previously unavailable before. It’s our goal to bring the clothes, accessories, and likeness of our partners to the virtual world and social network user base, while generating a new and scalable revenue stream.

Are you ready to step into the future and embrace the life of living virtually? Truly I am excited with the advanced technologies that are being revealed and improved. Imagine what the future will bring, as we are still in the infant stages of Virtual applications. Although I love the great outdoors, living in a Virtual World sounds pretty cool, and is a great way to stimulate my huge imagination while giving me new ways to express myself. Welcome to the wonderful Virtual realities on planet Earth.

I just love it when I discover something new on my most avid of interests. Of course, as the title of this blog implies, I am totally into all aspects of the Virtual realms! My friend Jordi over at Hiperia3D News (whom I have the utmost respect and admiration for) has a bit of information to share about the brilliant Richard Garriott, also known as Lord British, who is the creator of the Ultima series, among his many other accomplishments. You may visit Jordi’s post here… Richard Garriott On Motherboard: VBS.TV’s New Technology Video Series.

Having played Tabula Rasa, Richards first adventure into the realms of MMORPG’s, I can attest first hand to the amazing talents of Lord British (aka General British in the lands of Tabula Rasa). Although Richard and his team had to put Tabula Rasa aside for other projects, I strongly feel he will bring some very interesting Virtual fantasies to the table, to satisfy the adventurous spirits of those who feel as I do.

Well then, if you wish, you may visit Motherboad – Richard Garriott (a set of 3 videos) to get a glimpse into the magical wonders in the life of Lord British. He has an amazing array of objects he has collected over the years, and is a master of many inventions and innovations which dazzle the mind with the imaginative interplay of virtual realities and modern wonders. Enter the realms of the world of Richard Garriott who likes the quote by Arthur C. Clarke “Any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic”. I agree with this to a large degree, and feel the virtual realms are a wonderful aspect of Life. Bring on the wonders to fire up my imagination!