By: Sheri | In: Project-Based, EdTech, Web 2.0 |
Today at the Technology Leadership Advisory meeting, we discussed the world of virtual learning. One particular site captured my attention so I investigated further.
Whyville is an educational virtual world where middle school boys and girls from all over the real world come to chat, play, learn, and have fun together. The goal of Whyville is to engage users in math and science activities. Citizens of Whyville learn about art history, science, journalism, civics, economics, and much more. Whyville works directly with the Getty, NASA, the School Nutrition Association, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to bring educational content to kids in an engaging manner. The creators of Whyville launched the virtual city to engage young people in constructive educational activities while promoting socially responsible behavior. Examples of the simulations at Whyville include Whypox, Whyflu, Deadly Red Tide, and Whyplane.
The hook for students is the “avatar.” The student’s avatar chats, explores Whyville, earns clams by playing games, shops, goes to town events, start their own business, buys a car or write for the town newspaper.
Check out my avatar…. and check out Whyville, especially if you are a middle school teacher.
