Ever heard of Second Life? It’s a virtual world filled with everything from ancient Rome to a waterslide park to an entire island devoted to Ben and Jerry’s. Did I mention you can fly in this world? Try parachuting off the Eiffel Tower for a spectacular view of Paris.
Businesses are still exploring corporate applications in this world, but one common theme seems to be training. Many universities and large corporations – especially tech companies like Intel and IBM – are experimenting with virtual lectures, trade shows, and training classes.
Ohio University has put together a great overview of their online campus to give you an idea what’s possible:
This next video demonstrates cutting edge simulations, where robotic avatars allow trainees to interact live (so to speak) and learn how to handle a variety of situations.
An open-source learning management system, Moodle, now has a Second Life counterpart, Sloodle, to help you set up virtual training quickly and easily.
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All great ideas but I would also add another item to it: consider doing a virtual event/meeting. Virtual events and meetings are a great way to stay in front of customers, generate new leads and help close business already in the pipeline. These solutions are being deployed so rapidly by companies that the market is projected to exceed $18 billion by 2015. If you are interested in how you can use virtual environments attend the Virtual Edge Summit Feb. 22-23 (virtually or in-person if you are in/near Silicon Valley). There is no registration fee if you take a short survey.
Virtual Edge Summit 2010 is the only event that focuses exclusively on providing education, training and solutions for planning and producing virtual events, meetings and communities. Over 2 days, 80 experts will share their experience with you, and be available for one-on-ones. The event also offers a rich program for featuring experts from Cisco, Stanford, IBM, Disney SAP, Oracle, Intel as well as top virtual technology and service providers like InXpo, ON24, 6Connex, Stream57, CGS VirtualEvents365, George P. Johnson, Unisfair and Digitell.
When: February 22-23, 2010 8am until 6pm
Where: At the Santa Clara Convention Center in California and virtually in browser based virtual environments offering 2D and 3D experiences.