Vitual Environments Assignment Guide

When we hear the term “virtual reality” we often think of someone in a darkened room, reaching out into space, with mechanical devices attached from them.  This has changed greatly.  Today we see that virtual reality can expand from military training simulations, to our online classrooms, environments such as “Second Life” and even social networking sites (like Facebook).   Virtual reality is simply simulated reality.  When you answer the discussion question, think about what virtual environments you spend time in.   Make sense so far?

If you haven’t seen it yet, try to look up a clip from When Strangers Click.  It’s a great documentary that is about people that go on Second Life.  Second Life is a website in which people create characters and live out experiences through them (these range from mild to wild).  The people that use it come from all walks of life. Some of social anxiety issues, others are extroverted….it’s a wide range. What might be some of the pros and cons of environments like this? (Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

I. First Point: Describe what virtual environments you use (this could be World of Warcraft, Facebook, the online classroom, fantasy football, Second Life etc.)

II. Second Point: Share with the class how long you spend in these environments.  Fun Fact:  The Average American spends nearly 8 hours a day starting at screens (computer, phone, tv etc.)

III. Third Point: Think about Ric and Sue.  Is Ric cheating on her or does it “not count” since it’s online?  This would be a good place to include the perspectives (Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism and Conflict Theory).

IV: Fourth Point: Is Second Life the same as Fantasy Football type environments or does it have more of an emotional connection?

V. Replies:  How might you apply Functionalism to this for someone with social anxiety issues?”

Using the Perspectives:

Applying the three perspectives can be easy.  Try to view the problem from each perspective by asking the sort of questions a theorist would ask if they were a functionalist, conflict theorist, or symbolic interactionist. In this assignment, you could ask:

1.      What is the function of virtual reality? What role does this play in our culture? (Functionalism)

2.      What conflicts arise over virtual environments? How do you feel about the technology gap? Is there inequality present? (Conflict Theory)

3.      What does virtual reality mean to us? When we interact on the internet, explore virtual environments and make connections online, what do these relationship mean? (Symbolic Interactionism)

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