Anyone can follow a course on P2PU. Participating is the next level of engagement. The sign-up is a space where interested individuals can express their interest and background in the topic and commit to working with the rest of the participants. Please answer the following set(s) of questions if you want to become a participant or organizer.
Standard Set
This set of signup questions is common to all study groups, courses, ... in P2PU. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.
- What made you interested in this topic?
- What do you hope to achieve by participating?
- Are you interested in helping with the course organization?
Public Custom Set
This set of signup questions is particular to this course. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.
Do you think there is a difference between a virtual world and a MMORPG?
Do you think most people would agree with you?
Between Participants Custom Set
This set of signup questions is particular to this course. The answers to these questions will be visible to all participants once you get accepted.
Let's see wherever everyone is.
Please let us know which worlds or MMORPGs you are in regularly?
What other worlds or MMORPGs have you explored?
Answers
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Vanessa Blaylock
March 19, 2012, 4:47 a.m.
Bio:
I am a performance artist and arts educator. We've had a lot of fun organizing a few field trips ourselves and look forward to joining some of yours.
http://iRez.me
Location: The Hague
Standard Set Answer:
I'm interested in exploring the art & education possibilities in a variety of online, virtual, and mixed-reality spaces, therefore your VW tour series seems fantastic.
I've been involved in organizing a few field trips and am eager to tag along on yours!
http://vaneeesa.com/category/vbco/field-trips/
I might be able to contribute or help organize if needed.
To my ear the question "sounds" like "is there a difference between a "Second Life" and a "WoW," between a "Blue Mars" and an "EVE Online."
To be honest since I'm "not a gamer" my experience with WoW and other environments is very limited. but yes I do think there's a difference, as suggested by my personal preference for "creative" or "buliding" environments like Second Life or Blue Mars and my lesser excitement for the "true" game spaces that so many people, both players and educators, seem to gain so much value from.
IDK about "most" but I think "many" people would agree. Many people do seem more at home in one type of environment or another.
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Fabrizia Karillion
March 19, 2012, 3:25 a.m.
Bio:
high school teacher
Location: Puglia (Italy)
Standard Set Answer:
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always interested in everything beyond reality
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hoping to find interesting and thought-provoking stuff
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I would help but lack of time
MMORPG are Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games 
Virtual Worlds maybe....more than games. 
I don't mind if most people would not agree with me...
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Jerry Buchko
March 19, 2012, 2:57 a.m.
Bio:
counselor, coach, & tutor of personal finance... traveler, philosopher, & social observer with bohemian tendencies. consider this fair warning ;D
Location: Minnesota, USA
Standard Set Answer:
I work with my clients using relatively more traditional telepresence tools, i.e. telephone & Skype, and have been more recently exploring immersive virtual environments, primarily Second Life, as another venue for my work. I've become even more keenly interested in and exicited by the prospects of this as I've learned about the work that counselors & educators are pursuing in immersive virtual environments, especially after learning about the work of Second Life inworld groups like Virtual Ability & the Non-Profit Commons and after attending my first VWBPE conference this year.
By participating, I hope to further expand my understanding of immersive virtual environments and further develop my perspective of how they can serve as effective environments for learning and self-realization.
Would helping with the course organization require that I have any content knowledge to offer in this particular subject area or any experience organizing course content in this P2PU setting?
Virtual worlds are computer based simulated environments for online communities, and a MMORPG is one type of virtual world that emphasizes role play gaming. Virtual worlds and immersive virtual evironments can also be utilized for education, training, & research, supporting these respective communities as well.
I think most people would agree with my basic premise, but would probably bring their own particular perspective & understanding of the experience.
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iSkye Silverweb
March 19, 2012, 2:14 a.m.
Bio:
Website designer/developer, metaverse developer, budding builder and endlessly curious about applications of virtual worlds for Deaf education. Enjoy mentoring and working with educators in Second Life. Also working with =IcaruS= - producer of virtual products for networking, presenting and information management.
Location: USA
Standard Set Answer:
Immensely enjoyed VWBPE 2012, looking to explore 3D approaches to teaching language arts.
There is an intersection of a virtual world and a MMORPG in the fun factor; otherwise a virtual world is a platform on which games can be played, but it's much more than a game while a MMORPG is clearly defined as a gaming environment.
It doesn't matter to me whether most agree with me or not, but I think many would.
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Merlin Moonshadow
March 18, 2012, 10:46 p.m.
Bio:
IT professional in higher education. Currently enrolled as a student in the Virtual Worlds Certificate Program at the University of Washington; planning to start a Master's program in Instructional Design and Development this summer.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Standard Set Answer:
I'm interested in virtual immersive environments, and virtual worlds, particularly with regard to their potential in higher education. I hope to discover some compelling examples of 3D learning environments and to meet some of the educators who have created those environments.
I believe that there is a difference, but that it is primarily a difference in focus rather than in structure or design. There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two; a MMORPG really IS a virtual world, and gaming elements can add to the immersive experirence of any virtual social environment.
As far as whether or not most people would agree, I think that very much depends on who you're asking. Most people who are familiar with virtual worlds seem to recognize a difference between a virtual social environment and an online gaming environment, but I think that the average person on the street tends to lump the two into the same category.
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Letty
March 18, 2012, 10:01 p.m.
Bio:
I am an assistant professor in a teacher preparation program for future elementary teachers. I teach a child development course, as well as a teaching methods course in social studies and language arts. I use Second Life for both courses, though with different types of activities.
Location: Texas
Standard Set Answer:
I use Second Life in my teaching, and I am currently looking into game based learning. I am hoping that by participating, I can get additional ideas on how to improve my activities with my students, as well as use innovative practices with them.
If I can offer any expertise in the course organization, I would be happy to contribute, though I've never used this platform before.
I do feel there is a difference between virtual worlds and a MMORPG. Virtual Worlds do not necessarily involve role playing, nor are they necessarily games. Some virtual worlds can be games and can include role playing, but the user makes of it as they wish.
Most people do not really know the difference between virtual worlds and MMORPGs, unless they've experimented directly with virtual worlds. However, with surface knowledge, I suspect most people would think that all virtual worlds are for role playing.
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beth w
March 18, 2012, 7:59 p.m.
Bio:
Adj asst prof in mat@usc.
In SL since 11/06. Currently active in Kitely.
interested in K-12 and teacher ed.
Location: los angeles
Standard Set Answer:
What made you interested in this topic?
This is my profession for 25+ years.
What do you hope to achieve by participating?
Keeping up with the most recent thinking.
Are you interested in helping with the course organization?
Not at this time, but perhaps later.
Do you think there is a difference between a virtual world and a MMORPG?
Yes. They share some charactersitics, but their implementation can be different.
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Anonym
March 18, 2012, 3:15 p.m.
Bio:
I teach middle school social studies. I am on one of the teacher teams for a new PBL initiative in my school district. I have a deep interest in merging PBL with virtual worlds, but I face obstacles that I don't know yet how to overcome.
Location: Iowa, USA
Standard Set Answer:
What made you interested in this topic?
I saw this topic mentioned at the VWBPE Conference in Second Life and it piqued my interest.
What do you hope to achieve by participating?
I hope to learn how I might include VW's as part of my students' learning.
Are you interested in helping with the course organization?
Not at this time.
Do you think there is a difference between a virtual world and a MMORPG?
I think if there is a difference, it is in the definition of the concept of "game." A Virtual World tends to be Massive, Multiplayer, Online, and Role Playing (assuming one is "role playing" themselves, as in a professional capacity) but I tend to think of a game as having rules used to achieve a definitive goal for the purpose of entertainment. A more open VW platform like SL, doesn't necessarily have that pre-requisite.
Do you think most people would agree with you?
I think some would agree and others would not. I have heard others refer to SL as a game because I think they perceive of it as a play space. Others might disagree because of my definition of "game," because that definition is evolving.
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Rurik Nackerud
March 18, 2012, 2:44 p.m.
Bio:
Rurik (Rory) Nackerud is an educator who has worked in a variety of settings both as a teacher and sign language interpreter, currently he works online at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. In recent years he has become increasingly active in educational technology and applying best practices to both professional development and student interactions. He recently graduated with his Masters in the Art of Teaching and is already looking to further his education with a doctoral degree. He enjoys working with secondary students as a language arts, science and computer science teacher while continuing to present workshops and trainings virtually and in person. In addition to teaching Rurik is part of the "think tank" Center4EduPunx as well as an organizer for Virtual World's: Best Practices in Education, Virtual World's Unsymposium, and other short term projects via Second Life, Jokaydia Grid, and other virtual worlds. He recently helped with an experimental course using World of Warcraft as a method of exploring leadership skills and qualities called World of Teachcraft. With other members of the CenterforEdupunx he is currently exploring engagement strategies using augment reality and commercial games. In other professional work Rurik has shared an opinion piece, published with the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) magazine Learning and Leading, writing about Professional Networks and whether they can replace professional development. Also, for the 2011 ISTE conference in Philadelphia, he presented a poster session on blending classrooms between virtual and real world settings. Previously he presented at the Global Education online conference, Virtual World's Best Practice in Education, UnSymposium, and the Oregon Council for Teachers of English. In addition to these discussions Rurik continues to explore, present, and discuss learning using technology in a variety of formats through out the year. Finally, Rurik co-authored a book chapter on adopting commercial-off-the-shelf games with Kae Novak, an instructional designer in Colorado. As a learner Rurik focusses heavily on understanding the tools of tomorrow and how to equip his students to develop and use technology of all types to better themselves and the world. Whether taking graduate classes, open courses, attending a conference or workshop, or participating in a Massively Online Open Course, Rurik strives to be on the cutting edge of innovation and share what he learns. As a teacher he participates in his classes as a learner as well, sharing, encouraging, and learning with his students.
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Standard Set Answer:
Participating in the Virtual Worlds: Best Practices in Education conference. Through this I hope to extend the learning from the conference in order to carry it over to other areas and future conferences/gatherings. I also hope to network with folks going to ISTE 2012 in San Diego - perhaps meeting up before or just after the conference.
While pre-VWBPE I was not interested in helping with the course organization - now I have more time and am willing to invest more of it towards developing this exciting event!
Virtual worlds are typically the backdrop against which an MMORPG is laid out. Typically the two ideas go together. At other times they canbe distinct. A virtual world life Second Life, Open Sim, or other platform does not neccessarily have an MMORPG component. These are virtual environments and the immersive or gaming experience is developed independently in several areas on some of them while other areas are not devoted to this experiential component.
Other MMORPG's develop around text and while these environments may lack the immersive nature of a virtual world they still contain the components of a compelling MMORPG in many cases. In fact - these environments led to the rise of the sophisticated MMORPG we know today.
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LeeDale
March 18, 2012, 2:07 p.m.
Bio:
I teach multimedia graphic design, so I know Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and so on. I have some experience with modeling in 3D and building in Second Life. I am interested in continuing to learn more about various virtual worlds and technologies for education.
Location:
Standard Set Answer:
I've been interested in this topic for many years. I'm looking forward to gathering more information about virtual worlds and the bleeding edge in relation to education.
I think the difference is primarily in the original intent and the common use of the virtual world / MMORPG. Each can be used for purposes primarily found in the other. I've seen role-playing in Second Life and I've seen social interaction and community building in an MMORPG. From what I've observed, virtual worlds tend to be more open ended, and MMORPGs tend to be more goal-oriented (quests and other game-driven goals).
Most people don't know what a virtual world is. They're more likely to know what an MMORPG is (especially by name). I think most people would lump everything into a category of "those World of Warcraft-type things".
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LucianeCurator
March 18, 2012, 2:59 a.m.
Bio:
I am Lucian , follow @LucianeCurator a normal teacher from Caransebes, Romania who want to bring knowledge in XXI Century Education using new online technologies ( tools and applications semantic web 3.0 and web 2.0 ) who want to became a social media curator http://www.scoop.it/u/web20education and researcher . My research : 2011 - My project with students http://e-safety4etwinners.wikispaces.com/ : ,,eSafety4eTwinners-web 2.0 and social media use eTwinners 4 preventing school dropout" was selected in the exhibition organized by Microsoft, MECTS, EOS in Innovators Forum in Education2012 http://bit.ly/fie2012 from 80 projects in the brochure Top 10 best practices in ElearningEuropa Teachers competition for Social Media use in Formal Language Learning Context http://elearningeuropa.info/en/book/full-description-practice-2 . I was in 2011 mentor in Teacher Challenge .I was judge and also coach for my school in ThinQuest projects , and I am Glogster Edu Ambassador and Symbaloo Edu Certificated teacher . I am happy because my eTwinning project ,, Different, but equal " launch in 2008 is developed now like a Comenius Project http://proiectdiferitidaregali.ning.com/ . Still 2011 I am eTwinning mentor and I made a facebook group for eTwinners mentors and mentees - https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/etwinningmentors/ . I obtatin still now in eTwinning projects 7 European Quality Label . I am also facilitator against school dropout because I was participated in Timisoara to the workshop organized in the project ,, School came at your home “with European Founds .I am also registered to partipate to the courses and modules organized in the project ,, PROFESIONALIZAREA CARIEREI DIDACTICE - NOI COMPETENȚE PENTRU ACTORI AI SCHIMBĂRILOR ÎN EDUCAȚIE DIN JUDEȚELE CARAȘ -SEVERIN ȘI MEHEDINȚI ID 6242”http://www.meca62421.ro/index.php/home-3 Welcome in the new Age of Curation http://bit.ly/curationglog http://bitly.com/ecurator @https://twitter.com/#!/web20education - wish you all Lucian http://xeeme.com/ecurator/ . I invite to register to join free http://bitly.com/docedtech20 #edtech20 #socialmedia #curation projecthttp://web20education.bo.lt/g6538 subscribe free to our new newsteller http://bitly.com/edtech20newsteller and Install free our #mlearning apphttp://bitly.com/edtech20mLearningapp .Like and collaborate on facebookhttp://on.fb.me/likeedtech20facebookpage and Circle on Google Plus http://bitly.com/circleedtech20googlepluspageand Subscribe free to gr8 #edtech20 blogshttp://bitly.com/feededtech20blogs related to new web 2.0, social mediastartups http://bitly.com/web20eblog , curationhttp://bitly.com/curationblog ; mLearning appshttp://bitly.com/mLearningblog , google plushttp://bitly.com/googleplusblog , gr8 bloghttp://bitly.com/egr8blog and my romanian bloghttp://bitly.com/eblogulmeu
2010 - My #edtech20 project ,, , Teach, learn and play using in a eSafety mode new tools and applications web 2.0 and social media in education 2.0 " was finalist project in Elearning Awards 2010 ; runner up in the category ENISA award for teaching online safety and citizenship sponsorized by Enisa and European Schoolnethttp://tinyurl.com/pfinalistineLearningAwards2010 . I launch this project because in 2010 I was accepted to work in TIS / INSAFE project by European Schoolnet . I made a team from next european teachers - eTwinners : Coordinator Lucian Cornel Duma (ROMANIA) - me , Aureo Torres (SPAIN) ,Maria Sourgiadaki (GREECE) ,Catalina Nicolin ( MECTS Romania ) and Inge de Cleyn ( Belgium ) . We work all at this module proposed by me is called ,, How teachers and students can use free web 2.0 and social media in education 2.0 “ and our Teaching Unit and all the resources where presented on Teachtoday website between 21- 22 octomber 2010 at Safer Internet Forum in Louxembourg . We made next 4 teaching units :
1. Free microblogging safely in education : Twitter apps
2. Free blogging safely in education
3. Free animation 2.0 safely in education
4. How to introduce Internet safety issue via the discovery of free virtual worlds , Second Life.
2009 – I whas selected from 44 participants in the 8 finalists in AtmosphEuropa Contest and I present my eTwinning project ,, Different, but equal “ – partenership and collaboration betwwen students with special education needs in Europe in European Parliament http://teacherluciandumaweb20.blogspot.com/2010/01/remember-2009-i-was-finalist-in.html .Also our project was selected finalist project in Global Junior Challenge Competitionhttp://differentbutequaletwinning.webs.com/founderdumalucianrom.htmMy projects was approved to take part under Euorpean Year for Creativity and Innovation http://create2009.europa.eu/about_the_year/participating_countries/romania_romania.htmlIn 2009 I obtatin Gradatie de Merit and here is my Opis http://www.slideshare.net/DUMACORNELLUCIAN/gradatie-de-merit-obtinuta-in-anul-2009
Location: CARANSEBES , Romania
Standard Set Answer:
Second Life is the free app who open gateway to knwoledge and for semantic web for teachers worldwide .
I want to collaborate with teachers worldwide using virtual words .
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Rina Darwin
March 17, 2012, 3:06 p.m.
Bio:
Location:
Standard Set Answer:
Heard about it at VWBPE 2012.
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misplaceddecimal
March 17, 2012, 2:29 p.m.
Bio:
Educator, PhD student, technophile
Location: Georgia, USA
Standard Set Answer:
What made you interested in this topic?
I am new to virtual worlds such as Second Life, but have been playing MMORPGs since they were MUDs. I believe that high schools must prepare students for online education programs, yet the ones currently common are lackluster. Virtual worlds provide an educational venue beyond what online education holds.
What do you hope to achieve by participating?
I'm new to Second Life, so I hope to learn about virtual worlds more.
Are you interested in helping with the course organization?
Not at this time.
Do you think there is a difference between a virtual world and a MMORPG?
I am unsure at this time. I was thinking questing, and level-ups, but they seem to exist in Second Life too, just in other forms.
Do you think most people would agree with you?
N/A
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Pam Broviak
March 14, 2012, 10:02 p.m.
Bio:
Licensed engineer working for a government agency in Illinois and involved in exploring and developing 3D environments.
Location: Illinois
Standard Set Answer:
What made me interested in this topic: My involvement over the last five years in 3D immersive spaces and my background in education and engineering/government
What I hope to achieve by participating: increase my skills in developing learning environments and tools in 3D immersive spaces or on the web.
No, at this time I would not be interested in helping with the course organization.
I believe MMORPGs are virtual worlds but not all virtual worlds are MMORPGs
I think most people who spend time in both would agree.
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Cyndyl
March 9, 2012, 7:08 p.m.
Bio:
I am a student, teacher, and facilitator of learning in real and virtual worlds.
Location: USA
Standard Set Answer:
I would like to continue to learn about virtual worlds for education. I hope to collaborate to learn how I can better facilitate my online courses using virtual worlds and how I can use virtual environments with students. I would be glad to contribute to the course organization.
I believe a MMORpg is a virtual world where roleplaying and teamwork happen. Some virtual worlds can be designed by the participants while some are already created for the user environment.
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Denise Roberts
March 8, 2012, 4:49 p.m.
Bio:
Online Instructional Developer, Trainer, and Virtual Worlds explorer
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Standard Set Answer:
Love roleplaying in Virtual Worlds and eager to interact with others who are taking free form roleplay into K-12 education.
Expanding y network of friends who enjoy Virtual Worlds.
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Sail Wozniak
March 8, 2012, 11:24 a.m.
Bio:
instructional designer, progressive educator, digital evangelist, virtual worlds explorer, social media addict, graphic artist and photographer
Location: Durham, NC
Standard Set Answer:
Been involved in Second Life for 4 years and 2 years Opensim. Have taught in SL.
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LV
March 7, 2012, 10:27 p.m.
Bio:
SL: LoriVonne Lustre
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Standard Set Answer:
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Involvement with VWBPE brought me to this course.
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I think this course will provide that missing piece after a conference. Group reflective practice.
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I indicated before that I would interested in helping.
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The difference between virtual worlds and MMORPGs is getting smaller. When I was a SL Mentor new avatars would often ask 'how do you play this game ?' this is not a game I would explain. 'well what is the point then?' they would ask. Too explore and meet people and learn. Have fun! And that is where the intersection lies. I see MMORPGs as a subset of virtual worlds.
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I' m not sure if others would agree. Some would and some would not. It will be interesting to see what others in the MOOC think.
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jokay
March 7, 2012, 7:27 p.m.
Bio:
Virtual Worlds Facilitator, Designer, Geek, Edutech, Owner of jokaydiaGRID (opensim) and the Islands of jokaydia (SL). Co-founder of MassivelyMinecraft!
Location: Wollongong, Australia
Standard Set Answer:
Long time VWBPE attender and facilitator... would be crazy not to get involved! ;)
For me there is little difference between virtual worlds & MMORPGs from a user perspective... as both are places where i work, play, create, quest, socialize, connect, learn and level up! The technical differences equal the fun parts of my job! ;)
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Stylianos Mystakidis
March 7, 2012, 6:22 p.m.
Bio:
Passionate eLearning & Virtual Worlds Learning Triathlete on a Mission to transform Higher Education!
Location: Greece
Standard Set Answer:
VWBPE and Open education are high priorities.
My aim is to be able to plan and organize connectivist courses.
I'll be more than glad to help out in as sorts of ways after VWBPE!
Obviously there is a difference in scope. But in the eyes of inexperienced people they seem identical.
