| Amidst a deepening recession and a more | | | | Just as trainers can use a learning management |
| pressing need for companies and organizations to | | | | system to upload presentation videos, simulations, |
| cut back costs, many are adopting online training | | | | and instructional demos, students can enter a |
| programs and learning management systems to | | | | virtual world to access learning material and |
| take care of training needs. | | | | interact with each other. |
| As more organizations utilize LMS online training, | | | | In a virtual world, learners might create an avatar, |
| such software has developed in sophistication. In | | | | or a virtual world presence, to interact with fellow |
| some ways, it is starting to look more game-like | | | | trainees and training directors. |
| in its interactive and actually fun-to-use tools and | | | | A new genre of virtual world software, called |
| interface. | | | | "Serious Game" virtual worlds, include everything |
| Game-like software has begun to make its way | | | | from virtual frog-dissection for young students to |
| into the professional world. Some universities and | | | | virtual dental and other medical training. Virtual |
| organizations have either begun or are making | | | | environments are being used in areas as diverse |
| plans to integrate a virtual world into their training. | | | | as language teaching and urban planning. |
| And why wouldn't they? Research firm eMarketer | | | | When implemented well, online training tools like |
| estimates that 24 percent of the 34.3 million | | | | LMSs allow students to get involved in the |
| internet users under 19 used virtual worlds at | | | | material to a degree that a traditional online |
| least monthly in 2007, a figure that will jump to | | | | education never achieved. Using a robust LMS |
| 53 percent by 2011. As young people become | | | | training system, trainers can provide video and |
| more involved in virtual worlds, their understanding | | | | audio information including demos, simulations, |
| of virtual world interactions and their roles within | | | | screen recordings, podcasts, and more. |
| the virtual world are becoming more sophisticated, | | | | Unfortunately, most serious game virtual training is |
| and therefore more easily translated into an | | | | still being tested, and the ones on the market |
| academic or professional learning system. | | | | either carry an intimidating price tag or have a |
| And virtual worlds aren't just for young gamers | | | | long way to go. But along with serious games and |
| and teenagers looking for escape anymore. They | | | | other interactive learning systems, many learning |
| allow students to carry out tasks that might be | | | | management systems have expanded their |
| difficult or impossible in the real world due to | | | | interactive features and enhanced their fun factor |
| circumstances including personal, financial, schedule, | | | | to compete with an ever more exciting online |
| locational or geographical restrictions. | | | | education market. |