LIS 9763

At the end of this course my view hasn’t changed that much.  Most of the readings I had already read as I have been interesting in this topic for the last four years.  It was interesting to see how everyone else interpreted the tools and philosophies behind social software (web 2.0 or the read/write web).  Of the eight tools we looked at, I think that online social networks would be the “low-hanging” fruit because of the popularity and familiarity with staff.  I believe that the most important step with implementing new tools or change is to have staff

After reading all of the materials for this week and collaborating on a group project, I am now excited by the idea of having games in a library.  I have to admit that at first, I was a little skeptical.  In my mind, there was a distinct divide between ‘entertaining games’ and ‘educational games’, and I believed that only the latter really had a place within a library.  But it is now clear that both of these types of games have their own advantages and that librarians should take the time to explore the possi

Virtual worlds-a concept applied to library science?  Well, I think that is a really interesting idea.  I've never actually participated in online gaming let alone online gaming that involves virtual worlds, but I think that there is some potential with how we see the idea of creating a virtual world for learning processes could be used.  I think that it is truly creative how various professions have turned to the creation of virtual worlds to teach their 'students' how to interact with others in their professional setting and deal with specific problems. 

I'm not a modern-day gamer. I don’t like how complicated video games have become, and how expensive they are too. I find Second Life frustrating, and RPGs aggravatingly slow. I’ve tried World of Warcraft, and I dabbled in Final Fantasy. It’s just not a world for me. Give me old-school Nintendo any day. And if it MUST be played on a recent system, I will accept Rock Band or Dance Dance Revolution. Maybe a bit of Sing Star. But that’s pretty much where my participation ends.

Last Friday I attended a Webcast entitled: “Can’t Get There from Here: Achieving Organization 2.0.” It was led by Meredith Farkas as part of the ACRL Virtual Conference. One thing that she said was rather obvious--in fact I’ve heard and said it myself many times--but still, it resonated with me.

Second LIfe, virtual games, what's next?  Obviously when it comes to this whole concept I definitely show my age - ok I'm not that much older - but older enough to just NOT get it!  Where are the days when friends get together and play board games?  Or when we sit down with our children and students and play or encourage learning games?  I'm sorry I just don't get it!
 

This week’s readings tended to focus on games=play vs. education. So I am taking a different direction and focusing on an issue that I think has generally been overlooked in the literature we are reading. That is, the legal issues facing educational institutions using Second Life and other virtual worlds.

Ah games: there’s nothing so relaxing after a hard day in the office or classroom as coming home and be taken into a world so different than our own, with new problems to take your mind off of any plaguing in reality. I’m not as hardcore a gamer as many others, but I certainly enjoy playing a few titles, particularly since Nintendo came along. I’ve been tempted by friends to try World of Warcraft, but as of yet have refused: I’ve seen with my own eyes just how addictive that can become. If nothing else, games are fun, which is why those who play keep coming back.