VIRTUAL WORLDS FOR KIDS, TEENS AND TWEENS

Libraries and…

Virtual worlds for kids and teens Whyville Webkinz Teen Second Life Doll Palace Furcadia World of Warcraft Club Penguin

“Game” versus “virtual world” Virtual world - persistent, multiuser,

economy, activities like the real world, web browser, real world activities

Game – Try to earn points, fighting, goals, etc.

Avatars – digital representation of person in both

Virtual worlds update

Gartner Research Group predicts by 2011, 80 percent of Internet users will be using virtual worlds

Immersive environments – Kids can learn about all kinds of things and experience them and engage in them, learn by doing

New virtual worlds appearing all the time

Why should libraries be involved in virtual worlds? Our patrons are there – we need to

be where our patrons are! Usage of virtual worlds is increasing New education platform New role for librarians as information

guide and information experience designers

Whyville

Teen Second Life