Those interested in the value virtual worlds such as Second Life can provide for disabled users may wish to read this article titled "Virtual World to Help disabled build self esteem".

"Using Internet-based technology, experts at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston are changing the way women with disabilities interact with the world -- by having them experience it through a new one."

This particular project, an intervention program based around self esteem for women is to be available late 2009. In addition, see this article on Edge Hill University, in which paramedic students took part in a pioneering in-world SL project which may compliment traditional teaching in the future, adding a virtual element to its training programme.

I also happened to come across this clip. Some of you (especially in the UK) may well remember this gaming show "Bad Influence" during the 1990's. This clip is from episode 1, feel free to watch it to see how far we've come but more importantly watch this clip at 8 minutes into it and watch in fascination as virtual reality is discussed and then later around 9.15 as a virtual representation of the human eye is shown to 'one day' be used in a simulator for learning! Not unlike how this clip shows how Second Life can currently be used to explore the testis (See image). However, this virtual eye shown in the 90's is pretty basic by today's standards but again interesting to see how some of the ideas talked about back then are still being talked about today, though with a bit more progress!






















Finally, View the transcript for EDUCAUSE Virtual Worlds Constituent Group Meeting March 23, 2009 here. This page also includes some useful links mentioned.