Meeting Places
Web sites where students can meet others with similar interests.
Links
Another variant of virtual environments has been resurrected at ActiveWorlds. Groups or individuals can construct a personalized world, including personae called avatars, or one of 80 educational spaces may be rented. While much imagination can be unleashed, mischief can be stirred up as well. Still, go for it.
Sites, such as MySpace, facilitate online social interactions. The major drawback is when pedaphiles or identity thieves, for example, and bring danger to young people, because they can masquerade as anyone. Like a club, these sites recruits members and others are open to all. Typically, a common interest is shared and students post notices and photos and exchange emails.
And students can exchange Podcasts.
Annotation
Please note that several recent studies have indicated substantial improvements in writing skills as a result of participation in contrast to other forms of telecommunications.
This environment epitomizes the advantages and disadvantages of freewheeling telecommunications. Mastery of this environment will be valued. At the same time, mischief-makers can scare off school folk with the shadow of liability lurking in every corner these days.
