Karl Kapp and Tony O’Driscoll have launched the age of virtual worlds in organizational learning by providing a thorough overview in their new book Learning in 3D. This is a comprehensive and eloquent book, covering the emerging opportunity in virtual worlds.  The book is eloquently written, as you’d expect from two academics, but both also play in the real world, so it’s not too esoteric in language or concept.  They point out the problems with existing formal learning, and identify how these can be addressed in virtual worlds. Recommended. MORE >>

Sitting at my virtual desk gathering statistics. Here are some interesting Virtual World Statistics gathered from a number of different sources. In the fourth quarter of 2009, total registered accounts in the virtual worlds sector reached 803 million. From Virtual world registered accounts reach 800m Check out the great chart while you are there. The Virtual Worlds Best Practices in Education conference has received 150 proposals from around the world on best practices for education in virtual worlds. million. MORE >>

She told a story of an experience she had a few years prior where her husband had been pretty involved in playing the world’s most popular Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game(MMORPG)called World of Warcraft (WoW). All the while, you receive immediate feedback from the game in the form of virtual currency, precious items and even the enhancement of your “in-game” reputation among other players – all highly motivating features that encourage game players to continue playing. That’s when she turned to a different virtual world product: Second Life. MORE >>

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) launched an online resource for potential and current educators in West Virginia called Teach West Virginia and as part of the initiative, a 3D world is playing a key role in the process. According to the article West Virginia looks to Second Life As part of the program, they have developed a unique and groundbreaking virtual world on the internet’s largest 3D virtual community, Second Life. This world is being created through a partnership with West Virginia University’s College of Human Resources and Education. MORE >>

Last night I had the pleasure of speaking to a group at the University of Washington Virtual Biodome. And, last night wearing the hat of professor teaching at University of Washington in a Virtual World Certification program. also met up with some great old virtual world and real world acquaints and made some new virtual friends! got to speak on the business end of virtual worlds. Here are some images: Looking out over the crowd as we discuss the business of virtual worlds. Jamm'n in the virtual world. MORE >>