A Midpoint Wrap-Up

My initial impression of the game experience was one of fear and reluctance. Fear because the game looked complicated, and with my work and school load I was not sure it was a good idea to be spending my time playing a game. Key word, ‘Game’- perhaps, it was the thought of the task, play a game and get to level 20, without a stated class objective or goal. Knowing very well that this was perhaps intentional on the part of my instructor and that he had this goal and objective, I told myself, ‘Dr. H knows what he is doing’ – and well, he did.

My first two weeks were nothing more than trail and tribulations. I changed my character, three times, before finding the Avatar I connected with. Avatars have been defined by Peterson (2005) as ‘online manifestations of self in a virtual world, and are designed to enhance interaction in a virtual space’ (p. 30). According to Deuchar & Nodder (cited by Falloon, 2009 ) extends this by adding that avatars allow ‘the user to take on a visible persona’ (p. 1) within a virtual world, affording them ‘the opportunity to engage in surreal and imaginary experiences that transcend the actual world in which they live’ (Deuchar & Nodder, 2003: 1) . I felt as though my Avatar was an extension of me, hence when it came time to playing I was involved, I took good care of my character because in some ways I was taking care of myself.

My impressions of the game have changed, mainly because I recognize the value of playing the game from a student perspective and a general user perspective. Learning what you need to know is all based on communication. Being successful depended on your ability to communicate and build relationships. Initially I wanted to do everything on my own until I realize I needed help, at first my husband came online at the same time and we would play as a group but this was not working out, we needed other members to join the group. Due to schedule conflicts I was left to play alone, so I swallow my pride and starting asking random people, eventually I made friends, who were located in various states in the US. We setup a time to meet online, I shared my quest and we worked as a team to complete them. It was a great feeling on so many levels. First, I was accomplishing my guest, my teammates were teaching me strategies and general game play tactics, and taking me to different parts of the world. This experience was not very far from team work in the real world.

I did not play each night, as one of the team members worked on the weekend, so we would play during the week, perhaps four nights for 3 to 4 hours. After I reached level 20 I began playing with my other characters, Priest, and Horde (I was encouraged my one of my team members to try it). Crucial to leveling up was playing in the Dungeons. Often my role was to heal my teammates. It was great! I felt important because my role was crucial to their success although I was not in battle –the team depended on my abilities and quickness to heal them.

MMORPG for education and training – Let’s explore the possibilities:

Virtual worlds give users the ability

• to carry out tasks that could be difficult for them in the ‘real world’ due to constraints, including cost, scheduling or location;
• Virtual worlds’ persistence allows for continuing and growing social interactions, which can serve as a basis for collaborative education;
• Virtual worlds can adapt and grow to meet user needs. (Antonacci & et al, 2008: 3)

It is time consuming, so I don’t necessary support its use as a major component in a training or course. It can be used to enhance communication and build online or classroom communities for a group of students or trainees.

From my experience playing WOW, I see its use in promoting

• online community
• learner engagement – According to Foreman (cited by Falloon, 2009) ‘the multimedia capabilities of virtual learning environments cater for a range of learning preferences and styles, enhancing engagement and enabling learners to set their own pace and blend the range of audio, video, graphic and text-based resources to match their own informational needs’(Falloon, 2009:3)
• Tools (game strategies, goals, general play) for supporting cognitive development and effective communication.

I will hate to say goodbye to the game but it has been very distracting this semester. However, at the end of the day, I don’t think I am ready to say goodbye. Stay tuned to my blog to see where I am in the game. At the start of class I had hopes of blogging each day but because of my schedule I did not stay true to that commitment, although postings were infrequent, I posted at important points in my game play.

References:

Antonacci, D. & Modaress, N. (2005). Second life: the educational possibilities of a massively

multiplayer virtual world (MMVW). In the proceedings of EDUCASE, Southwest Regional Conference. Austin, Texas.

Dalgarno, B., Lee, M., & Lee, M. (2010). What Are the Learning Affordances of 3-D Virtual Environments? British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(1), 10-32.

Falloon, G. (2010). Using Avatars and Virtual Environments in Learning: What Do They Have to Offer? British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(1), 108-122.

Still trying

I can't seem to make the time to blog each day. I decided today, that I am close to end that I will not give up on the game. I want to complete 5 levels by the end of the week. Sounds impossible.

I have to come up with a team, a plan and a strategy, and perhaps purchase a few new skills. Will be thinking about that today.

Wosh --ALmost there!

At first, I found the game annoying but after a while I really got into it, perhaps it was because I really got into character. In some way, my avatar transformed me, and hence transformed my excitement and enthusiasm to play the game. I felt someone important in the game, I liked that I had to think about strategies to complete a quest, and at the end of the quest I felt satisfied. This was a motivational factor to continue playing. At the very beginning, first 10 levels, I could fight and complete quest on my own but soon after I realized that I need help. Not that my character was weak or incapable but because I could do a better job with a group. With several students agreeing to meet me online and not showing, my husband offered to meet me online. Well I began playing with him and it was just awesome! We came up with fighting strategies and really worked well as a team. Our communication improved as well.

Each session, I made sure I complete at least one quest. This is reason I leveled up fast. I started enjoying the game more as my levels increased. I liked the sense of community because at times of trouble passersby would stop and help and sometimes give you money and other items. The first 10 levels is a learning experience, I needed the tutorial book and the advice of an advance player (my husband). I liked that he explained some of the quest and strategies offline, so when it was time to play I had the knowledge I needed. I cant imagine getting through the game without reading the tutorial, help and seeking information form an expert player.

Research data has shown that students learn from the advanced learning environments compared to classroom lectures, however, empirical research on learning is conspicuously absent on some of these environments.

Virtual worlds give users the ability to:
--Complete tasks that could be difficult for them in the real world due to cost, time and distance.
--Interact and estalish communities for which they become a valuable member.
--engage in high level of cognitive functioning such as interpreting, analyzing, discovering, evaluating and problem solving.

Engaging learners at the development level puts the learners at the center of the design process to meet their needs more closely. Student engagement through audio, video, graphics and text based resources allow student to select resources based on their own informational needs.

References

Falloon, G. (2010). Using Avatars and Virtual Environments in Learning: What Do They Have to Offer? British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(1), 108-122. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.gsu.edu:2640/pdf23_24/pdf/2010/58I/01Jan10/47051417.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=47051417&EbscoContent=dGJyMNXb4kSeqLI4xNvgOLCmr0iep7FSsai4S6%2BWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMOXp80m549%2BB7LH4S7errgAA&D=a9h

Hello Shapira

My 'Thorntress' character was simply not working out! It is too bad I was up to level 12.

My new character is an Elf, Druid, her name is Shapira and she is fabulous. She is more powerful than my previous character and she levels up faster. Interestingly, I feel connected to this character.

I have spent several postings talking about my experience as a player , tonight I would like to take a moment to reflect on the potential use of Virtual Learning Environments in academia. This environment is only useful if activities are aligned with the course pedagogy. It offers the opportunity for students to develop cognitive skills and social negotiation. World of Warcraft for example provides an environment that capture students engagement with its use of 3D graphics, audio, video and chat.

Spent 5 hours on the game

Last evening I spent over 5 hours on the game. It was emotionally taxing because I kept dying. Now, at level 11, I realize how much easier it is working in groups. Last night, group quest was the best - 2 warriors (ELF) and a priest. While the warriors fought, the priest was healing us --how cool was this! The game is so intense that you get lost in what is reality. I started playing at 7:30 pm on a Saturday evening and ended at 3:00 am Sunday. The only reason I stopped for the 'night' was due in part of my frustration.

So here is what I learned:

1. Team work is crucial!
2. Coming up with a fighting strategy is important, tackling one beast/enemy at a time is the way to go. When there is a pack, hide, and wait for the opportune moment to attack.
3. Finding a profession is rewarding and since you can have two professions at one time, finding the perfect combination is just awesome. I am a Herbalist and a Alchemist.
   

Level 8 and things are heating up

I am up to level 8 and the situation is intense. Last night I died 3 times --very annoying but on my third resurrection, I learn to run away from a fight and re-gain strength.

At a glance, I am able to

1. Accept multiple quests belonging to particular vicinity. This allowed me to complete 2-3 quests within 5-6 minutes of completing one.
2. Train
3. Sell stuff
4. Buy stuff
5. Handling 2 attacks at once -- I concentrate on one beast and hit the TAB key when he/she dies to begin fighting the other.
6. I bought new armor to protect myself during attacks.

Failure to be consistent with my blog

I am up to level 5 with 2 hours of game play. Saturday I played for one full hour and felt "cool" being able to Jump, miss attacks, search inventory, sell items in inventory for money, pay for training, complete a few quests, and follow a friend around without having to navigate.

I started to enjoy selling stuff in my inventory but at times wondered about why my money seem less...little did i know there were cooper and silver, so as I acquire more cooper, it was converted to silver.

The highlight of the hour was receiving a beautiful robe for a Quest. Take a look at my robe.

In the beginning.....

In the beginning, I frown at the thought of having to 'waste' money on a game and play at least 20 hours attaining a level of at least 20. This was my assignment for my 'E-Learning Environments' class. Anyway, I went out to Walmart because I husband apparently knew where I would find the game for a bargain price. So I got the game and the 1 month online trail pack. Still un enthusiastic about 'wasting' time playing a game during the semester, I reluctantly installed the game. Given the technical requirements of the game, I had to uninstall SL on my main computer -- Not a happy camper here.

It took over and hour to install with all the updates I had to add. A few days after I met up with a friend at school who needed some assistance with the game play. I created my character, and we played. I was suppose to help him yet he kept disappearing in the game, wondering off to who knows where....anyway it was funny. Initially, because of lack of knowledge, I chose to be a Night Elf, belonging to the Priest class. I didn't realize I was a priest at the time. That same night we stayed at school and played for 2 hours before heading home.

I got home, told my husband about the game and my character and he was more excited than I was ...so much so he wanted me to go on the computer and show him my character and demonstrate what I learned. I finally had to stay, I have to take a few moments to relax! So after 15 minutes of rest, I said, "let's go to the home office" -- and yes, I launch my game and 'showed off'.

90 days of WoW

In the next 90 days I am going to venture into the wonderful world of warcraft. I anticipate that the beginning will be rocky but as I progress I might improve and maybe, just maybe, I might actually enjoy it! Recovering from the Second Life (SL) experience, I am scared too. Those of you who have played SL know what I am talking about.

So what began as an assignment from one of my professors is now my topic of focus for my blog. I will use this forum as a journal to log my experience.

My character’s name is Thorntress. I picked the name because I was looking for a name that would symbolize strength. I play on realm, Kirin Tor. I play on the side of the Alliance and my character is a Night Elf (female), belonging to the warrior class.