Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

11.18.08 | Global Kids Inc. has released the first seasonal report from RezEd, Global Kids’ new hub for learning and virtual worlds, with a membership surpassing twelve hundred people. The seasonal report summarizes the range of activities and discussions taking place among those on the cutting edge of education, whether through commercial platforms like Dizzywood and Second Life or educational ones such as Quest Atlantis. The report highlights material produced for and by the RezEd community, including James Paul Gee, Sasha Barab, and Linda Burch. In addition, this first ever report offers a special feature, on Ethics and Virtual Worlds, introduced by a team from Harvard University’s GoodPlay Project.

To view the report online visit http://www.RezEd.org or click here. The report is available free for download here. RezEd was developed by Global Kids in March of 2008. It launched after being selected through the HASTAC competition and builds on prior work in virtual worlds made possible through support from the MacArthur Foundation. RezEd is a community of practice that brings attention to the myriad ways virtual worlds are being used for learning in various settings. It covers both commercial and educational virtual worlds through news updates; multimedia resources; a podcast series with youth, theorists, world builders, practitioners and experts in the field; a curated best practice report series, various digital media resources, guest-moderated discussions, and more. In addition, knowledge is generated and shared as members contribute photos and videos, facilitate special interest groups, and manage personal blogs.