Comments on: Young People and Virtual Worlds http://vichealth.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/young-people-and-virtual-worlds/ A journal-style blog following a VicHealth funded project Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:50:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: seekeresparza http://vichealth.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/young-people-and-virtual-worlds/#comment-40 seekeresparza Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:05:12 +0000 http://vichealth.wordpress.com/?p=47#comment-40 I agree Jori let's hope that eventually all children will have access to technology and that the positive uses flow on to kids from all nations. Cheers Deb I agree Jori let’s hope that eventually all children will have access to technology and that the positive uses flow on to kids from all nations.

Cheers
Deb

]]> By: Jori Clarke http://vichealth.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/young-people-and-virtual-worlds/#comment-38 Jori Clarke Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:49:36 +0000 http://vichealth.wordpress.com/?p=47#comment-38 As an expert in children's online usage behavior with 13 years direct experience and a Mom, I think this virtual world technology channel is a great opportunity to stimulate positive online social interaction and learning similar to how PBS programming for kids has demonstrated that TV for kids can go beyond mindless entertainment and reinforce learning and character education. At www.kidscom.com we have tested using a virtual world to get kids off of computers and into libraries to learn about global climate change and I know that another site www.whyville.net has also had some great examples of using their virtual world to make science interesting to girls. I say let's make sure that a high percentage of the 100+ virtual worlds being introduced to kids and tweens has learning associated with it so our kids in the United States are using them to improve their skills and make them better able to compete in a global market when they grow up. As an expert in children’s online usage behavior with 13 years direct experience and a Mom, I think this virtual world technology channel is a great opportunity to stimulate positive online social interaction and learning similar to how PBS programming for kids has demonstrated that TV for kids can go beyond mindless entertainment and reinforce learning and character education.

At http://www.kidscom.com we have tested using a virtual world to get kids off of computers and into libraries to learn about global climate change and I know that another site http://www.whyville.net has also had some great examples of using their virtual world to make science interesting to girls.

I say let’s make sure that a high percentage of the 100+ virtual worlds being introduced to kids and tweens has learning associated with it so our kids in the United States are using them to improve their skills and make them better able to compete in a global market when they grow up.

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