Online world could bring twist to education, business
John Coleman, Contributing Writer, jpcolema@smu.edu
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: News
"Second Life," an online communication tool and virtual representation of real life, could be bringing the future learning interface of education and business here to SMU.
"Second Life" is a virtual world in which people from all over the planet can meet, interact and even speak to each other in fluent conversation. It is rapidly changing the way people meet and intermingle, especially over long distances.
The business world is also being transformed by the recent online phenomenon as businesses test products, advertise and sell their merchandise online. Some students here at SMU have already capitalized off the business opportunities.
"I own and operate a handful of stores where I sell the stuff I build like hair, clothes and furniture, and I also sell other people's things, too," one avid user of "Second Life" at SMU, wishing not to be named in this article, said. "So far I've made about $250 through my stores, but I've made probably double that through all my ventures. I've worked at various clubs hosting events and managing employees. It has been useful in helping me learn how to run a business because you need to learn how to network, handle customer complaints, be innovative, etc., to really be successful," she added.
There is a real conversion rate between U.S. dollars and the "Linen Dollar" used in "Second Life." Any money made in "Second Life" could be converted into real cash, an idea never before seen in online interactive experiences.
"Second Life," according to ITOM professor Ulrika Schultze, "is the richest and most immersive experience in computer-mediated communication," adding, "It will one day soon be as big as the World Wide Web boom was; it is going to transform the Web and you can then surf the Internet in a virtual three- dimensional form."
Schultze went on to cite examples of how Web surfing might change with "Second life." "It would be as if you wanted to reference a book, you would take your avatar to an online library and literally take the book and read it."
"Second Life" is a virtual world in which people from all over the planet can meet, interact and even speak to each other in fluent conversation. It is rapidly changing the way people meet and intermingle, especially over long distances.
The business world is also being transformed by the recent online phenomenon as businesses test products, advertise and sell their merchandise online. Some students here at SMU have already capitalized off the business opportunities.
"I own and operate a handful of stores where I sell the stuff I build like hair, clothes and furniture, and I also sell other people's things, too," one avid user of "Second Life" at SMU, wishing not to be named in this article, said. "So far I've made about $250 through my stores, but I've made probably double that through all my ventures. I've worked at various clubs hosting events and managing employees. It has been useful in helping me learn how to run a business because you need to learn how to network, handle customer complaints, be innovative, etc., to really be successful," she added.
There is a real conversion rate between U.S. dollars and the "Linen Dollar" used in "Second Life." Any money made in "Second Life" could be converted into real cash, an idea never before seen in online interactive experiences.
"Second Life," according to ITOM professor Ulrika Schultze, "is the richest and most immersive experience in computer-mediated communication," adding, "It will one day soon be as big as the World Wide Web boom was; it is going to transform the Web and you can then surf the Internet in a virtual three- dimensional form."
Schultze went on to cite examples of how Web surfing might change with "Second life." "It would be as if you wanted to reference a book, you would take your avatar to an online library and literally take the book and read it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Thomas Samson
posted 3/08/08 @ 9:18 AM CST
It is great to see that SMU is getting into Second Life. I have been a member of the SMU Cox School Associate Board for many years and believe that Second Life is a great tool for the MBA study teams to use in the communications needed to complete their team projects, especially for those in the professional and executive MBA programs. (Continued…)
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