Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

 

There is a multitude of ways virtual environments can be used. It can be used for interactive museum visits, for example. Digital realms have been seen a lot as recently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade would be interactive to keep crowds from assembling. Even schools use virtual environments to exercise relational isolation and to teach from home. There are also interactive social environments in which you can build your own environment and communicate with others. The Sims is an example of a virtual social environment.

There are pros and cons of the virtual universe. Starting with the pros, the virtual world offers gameplay environments such as the PlayStation VR. With the PlayStation VR, you can feel like they're in the game, feel like they're in the cinema while viewing a movie, and more. Digital prototypes are another pro, too, so you can actually see a car in your space and see its features. It's nice to have this feature when you're buying furniture online since most websites can make it practically easy for you to put the preferred piece in the space so that you can determine if it suits well. We also see this on the Sephora website, where you can make a virtual lipstick attempt. The virtual universe is extremely useful when it comes to conducting medical procedures. Doctors are able to see the interior of their patients using this device, reducing the possibility of surgery.

In the other hand, there are also cons of the modern universe. Most of the challenges of teaching are that teachers find it more time-consuming to schedule lessons for pupils. The Advantages and Drawbacks of the Virtual Classroom and the Teacher's Position, it illustrates how teachers have to devote time not just to designing learning materials, but also to organize them in a way that suits the organize of the Internet. The virtual environment is also a drawback for students as they can not network and build a connection with peers as they can in person. Lack of preparation is another con the face of a lecturer. One specifically saw this at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where some professors failed to educate their students digitally because of a lack of knowledge of BlackBoard functionality, such as Blackboard Collaborate. 

In view of these virtual environments will continue to promote innovation by encouraging people to create their own environment. As Saki Knafo depicted in In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again, the virtual world of Second Life inspired Michael Brown's imagination by encouraging him to create a recreation of Chelsea. With his development, a resident of Chelsea felt a reminiscence of how the hotel used to be before troubling changes happened. With Second Life, Michael built a future he'd always dreamed of, such as making "twelve hip-looking avatars coming together to read poetry."

I imagine that the future of virtual environments will look like social encounters take place online. For example, someone will be able to FaceTime and see them through their Virtual Reality headset. I also assume that holograms are going to become more popular. Concerts have already seen hologram technology, like Michael Jackson. Instead of holograms being limited to concerts, people would be able to see their family members in their homes through holographic technologies.

 

References:

1. In Room 100, It's Sid and Nancy All Over Again,"by Saki Knafo, The New York Times, May 3, 2009, p. CY6. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/nyregion/thecity/03virt.html

2. The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Virtual Classroom and the Role of the Teacher by Guy Posey, Thomas Burgess, Marcus Eason, and Yawna Jones