Virtual Worlds: Learning and Teaching in a Digital Age

I have read about and heard from people who reported about disconcerting or uncomfortable experiences in second Life. Now, I used to think that this was humbug, since it is “only” an avatar, which is being manipulated by one’s mouse. Granted, there is the aspect of immersion – and a rather important one it is – but until I experienced some moments myself, I couldn’t understand.

I have never been griefed (probably because I don’t actually really go anywhere in second Life, mainly stay on the HWU students’ island or look at certain educational places) but I first experienced a moment of real disorientation and discomfort when SL crashed in a strange way and my avatar plunged into the abyss. It just fell and fell and fell, as if plunging into the darkness of the bottomless sea. It was a most uncomfortable sensation for a moemnt, as I followd the avatar’s descend, unable to do anything about it.

So far so good, an interesting experience and easily discarded. Yesterday, however, I went through the island once more to look for possible “Oscar” nominations for the assignment party on Monday. Checking out a waterslide, my avatar stood on a pool … and went into the pool. No problem, I thought, and enjoyed walking around under water, looking at the pretty white tiles – until I realised that I couldn’t get my avatar back out. I was trapped. In a swimming pool, under water.

After a hearty laugh I tried again to get out, but to know avail. Sending a “help” email out, my MACS lecturer pal and tutor gave me a doh! moment by letting me know I could get out by teleporting the avatar back onto the island. Lo and behold, it worked. But before that, I took a couple of screenshots of my “predicament”.

I think the pool should go into the category of “longest lasting”

By the way, I assume you have noticed, I am using the first person to talk about my avatar. My reasoning is (and I have thought about this aspect of identity for quite a while) that it is I who moves the controls. It is I who uses the mouse and I who does the clicks. Thus the avatar is an extension of my arm – and my Self. (and I’m glad to be out of that pool, it got a bit boring …)