MUVEs

Basics
The concept of Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs), is a broad term covering an array of shared virtual spaces. They may range from primarily text-oriented spaces such as http://tappedin.org to rich graphical environments such as http://secondlife.com or http://www.there.com/. The examples just given are community-oriented, non-directive, rather than gaming spaces; there are also plenty of MMPORGs (Massively Multi-Player Online Role-playing Games) such as http://www.worldofwarcraft.com and [|EverQuest]. Many MUVEs are free or have free versions; some are adult-only spaces while others have teen versions. As web technologies and typical home computers and Internet connections become increasingly powerful, these kinds of technologies are likely to become increasingly popular and available even to younger children.

Resources/examples of this technology in education
media type="youtube" key="jQr0izgm0iw" type="youtube" key="jQr0izgm0iw" Click on the arrow above to play this brief video to see what Second Life looks like, and learn about a Unicef/Global Kids project to bring teens from around the world together in Second Life to tackle real-world problems. See also the article: [|In the virtual world of Second Life, teens tackle real children's issues].

Another brief video on Second Life, showing more of the various possibilities of the space, is from the [|New Media Consortium].

[|simteach.com] is a website with several resources devoted to specific MUVEs (SecondLife, There) and with a blog, wiki, and videos ("machinima") all focused on educational uses of these environments. Linden Lab hosts an official [|Second Life education page] with additional resources, including a very active listserv.

Regarding Tapped In, see the [|About page] and the page on [|Bringing K12 Students into Tapped In].

Research on this technology in education
Harvard's Chris Dede is one of the premier thinkers and researchers on MUVEs in education. [|River City] is a famous project of his with a good deal of scholarly research published; here's[| another link] to some of his research.