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3D World Analysis Progress Report-4/15/2006

by Bob Houghton — last modified 2006-04-16 23:19

Having finished phase one of studying a large number of virtual world designs, some tentative conclusions are emerging about the future of 3D worlds. At the high end of open source free software is an application whose 1.0 version called Hedgehog is due any week now, Croquet. At the high end of proprietary commercial systems, there are two top choices, Second Life and ActiveWorlds. Many others are functional and interesting but are not the equal of these latter two.

Croquet

The most promising of the three is Croquet, promising not because of the free price, but because of its design vision, feature set and development teams. The best overviews are currently at wikipedia.and the Croquet web site.

Hedgehog

But promise is the correct label as the 1.0 version is still not ready for download as April 15, 2006. Given that version 1.0 (Hedgehog) is reportedly so close and also so feature rich, it would seem that funding for any commercial applications should be kept on hold for some period of time so that the Hedgehog version can be tested for suitability for summer development for fall implementation. These sites provide relatively current information on Croquet development: David Smith ; blog ; bugs ; 1.0 is close ; Sundman

These ideas are those of Bob Houghton only. Others may examine the same 3D systems and come to different conclusions.

Comparing features on 3D worlds

Posted by Tashnerjh at 2006-04-16 08:45

We have talked with folks who are designing various worlds as well as features within worlds. New worlds with different features will continue to emerge. As we work toward effective distance ed platforms we need to become aware of the features we need to enhance teaching and learning. One set of elements that we are finding essential are tools that allow participants to work in colloborative small groups throughout the worlds. We have added an audio tool from Talking Communities for largeand small group audio chats, logs, and synchronous web page viewing. We have students exploring a new product "Groove" for further small group project management and development.

from application to operating system

Posted by rhoughton at 2006-04-16 23:25

So many of the features of collaborative activity are add-ons to operating systems conceived and designed before the Internet existed, let alone before it was pervasive and used broadband with Internet2 on the horizon. We are required to have oodles of passwords to handle oodles of interaction features. That frame of reference needs to become ancient history. Croquet has the design and feel of a pervasive network OS; our needs are all built in. It is not a full blown operating system yet because it is too early in its history to have the drivers for all the stuff we use. In time that will come too.

Collaborative efforts

Posted by Tashnerjh at 2006-04-28 08:54

Our program area has been approached by a consultant for a collaborative group of state charter schools who are applying for an impact leadership grant. The idea is that DPI will train the charter school leaders for a year and then we would train their faculties and staff in technology integration. I showed this person our Active World based program and she was going to talk with others about possibilities presented in developing learning communities in this space. I wonder if such an effort might be a place to begin a serious collaborative effort between our several western region institutions?

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