Seeker Esparza

Debbie McCormick

Who Am I

Week 5 Interpersonal Communication

Themes covered this week will include: • aspects of (verbal and non-verbal) communication that

are affected by computer mediation and the affordances of the environment (i.e. text versus voice, gestures, avatar animations),

• effects of (inworld) gender on avatar behaviour, • cultural variances and variables, • the ways in which avatar appearance can affect

behaviour both in Second Life and real life.

Week 6Teamwork and Collaboration

This week we will look at:• the ways a range of major organisations and education

institutions are using virtual worlds as a team spaces• the challenges and benefits of meeting online and working

versus face-to-face,• developing Communities of Practice,• how virtual worlds like Second Life are being used in

conjunction with other online meeting or social network tools

(Elluminate, YouTube, Facebook).

Week 7Dating and Mating

• Ways virtual environments like Second Life are used by people as a space for the expression and exploration of sexuality and alternative cultures,

• Online relationships and relationships online• Subcultures in virtual environments– Inception and Location - RL, online, combination

of both• ‘Special’ guests.

Week 9Consuming the Virtual

• Overview of e-tailing• Why we buy virtual products• How we determine their value• Moral and ethical concerns• The Future

Week 10Selling the Virtual

• Overview of e-tailing• Why we buy virtual products• How we determine their value• Moral and ethical concerns• The Future