Virtual Reality Education
One of the most interesting classes that I have taken here at McDaniel was a class in rhetoric. Though the course already covered a wide range of material, it is interesting to think of how expanding to virtual worlds could present new possibilities for the class.
Virtual worlds would provide a plethora of new material of rhetoric. If each student was required to participate in Second Life, or a similar program, and create an avatar, much could be said from studying the different avatars. What is each person saying about themselves with the choices they make here – what rhetoric are they putting forward in this environment by how they choose to represent themselves? The choices for the avatars actions, and even the limitations of text chat instead of vocal communication would all present interesting topics of study. How does what is available to express ourselves affect our communication?
One other important feature of the virtual world is its persistence. By offering this, students would not be limited to a specific block of time to think about the subject, and communicate with others about it. We encounter rhetoric all the time, and therefore having a timeless outlet in which to participate in these activities would be fitting. Being able to interact with users from different classes, areas, and cultures would also provide an essential exposure to different rhetoric – perhaps one focus of the class could be on the differences in communication based on these factors. A virtual world would truly allow students to connect with users from other cultures.
As virtual worlds present so many different outlets for individual communication, interpretation, and self-expression, beginning to incorporate them into education, particularly a class which focuses on methods of communication, would likely lead to interesting insights and discoveries.
