Virtual environments are an up-and-coming learning tool. And like all learning tools, they'll be invaluable in some training applications, best used with a blend of other tools to cover all of a topic's training needs.
Most of those applications are just beginning to be discovered or be feasible, but Tom Werner at Brandon Hall Research found an excellent example of using a virtual environment for a valuable training lesson. Even more surprising to me is that they found a great use of Second Life in particular, which I think is even harder to pull off.
The training is for health care professionals who work with older patients. The virtual environment (this part is not Second Life-specific) simulates for the player the effects of aging, such as slower mobility and reduced eyesight, hearing, and dexterity. These kinds of lessons are perfect for virtual environments.
I think the Second Life-specific/public playing field part of this training is brilliant: the players experience Second Life with an elderly person avatar, to see how people treat them differently and how many objects are not made for someone of their age and build. It uses the larger game as a living social experiment.
Great thinking here! What training needs do you have that could be met by a Second Life or other virtual simulation?
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