Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

Josh Fouts: The “ROI” on Virtual Worlds,  The Importance of Understanding Culture

Josh Fouts debriefs his recent experience at the Virtual Worlds conference in San Jose. He discusses concern for return on investment and the rise of the Immersive Web in China.

Josh Fouts on Virtual Worlds: Interdependently Yours (Melting Pot or Diasporic Divide?)

Here’s what caused the USC Center on Public Diplomacy to travel to Mexico for a migration conference— and to host a session there where all the panelists were simultaneously in Second Life.

Connie Flanagan: Framing the Virtual Social Contract

Leading expert in civic engagement and service learning Connie Flanagan discusses the role of youth in shaping new virtual communities.  Virtual worlds offer powerful opportunities for young people to reimagine society, our values and institutions. 

Middaugh /Kahne/Evans: Civic Engagement in Virtual Worlds

Do civic activities in virtual worlds translate beyond those contexts?  Researchers from the Civic Engagement Research Group ask how participation in online games might help young people develop capacity for active citizenship.

Josh Fouts: State of Play 5 (It’s a Small World After All)

Just back from Singapore, where he attended the State of Play V conference, Josh Fouts shares his thoughts on global collaboration and giving kids worldwide the freedom to innovate.

Event Recap: Philanthropy in Virtual Worlds—photos, podcasts and more

On June 22, MacArthur Foundation President Jonathan Fanton and Linden Lab CEO Philip Rosedale (a.k.a. Philip Linden) had an historic conversation about how virtual worlds could revolutionize philanthropy.  At the event, Fanton also announced that the foundation would begin a year-long investigation into virtual worlds, including making some in-world grants through the USC Annenberg Center on Public Diplomacy.

Pop Cosmopolitanism in Virtual Worlds, or How Second Life Can Save the World

Virtual worlds are the new “third place” for retribalization & pop-cosmopolitanism.

Launching a Year-Long Exploration: Philanthropy in Virtual Worlds

The MacArthur Foundation announces a series of events, beginning with a launch in Second Life today, which will broadly consider the role of philanthropy in virtual worlds.

Doing the Impossible in Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds allow us to do what is not possible in the physical world.  How can we use this?  Doug Thomas from the USC Center on Public Diplomacy explores…

Taking Second Life to the Next Level: From Monologue to Dialogue

The director of USC’s Center on Public Diplomacy reflects on the import of the June 22nd event announced by Jonathan Fanton.

Invitation to Virtual World Event on Philanthropy

Save the date (22 June, 9am PST) for an historic conversation on the role of philanthropy in virtual worlds featuring MacArthur Foundation President Jonathan Fanton and Second Life CEO Philip Rosedale.

Barry Joseph: How do you bring a youth development model on global issues into a virtual world?

Global Kids shares best practices from their global education programs run for teens in Second Life.