Yes, the Medical students at Imperial College London are learning by treating virtual patients online in Second Life. They are also getting trained in a virtual hospital's respiratory ward. Students have the ability to check patients' symptoms and even look at the X-rays. In other words, a complete Medical examination can be conducted in Second Life.
Second Life is the Internet world where users interact through online alter egos called avatars. The third-year med students are taking part in a pilot program for game-based learning, which educators believe can be an exciting addition to lectures and textbooks.
"The aim is to develop a more engaging learning environment, rather than just replicate what you have in real life," said Maria Toro-Troconis, a senior learning technologist at Imperial College London.
Second Life is a free, 3D virtual world created by Linden Lab in 2003. Players can live a complete second life in it with doing everything from having a cup of coffee to actually marrying and having kids all in Second Life. (Some of them have extended it to real life though!!!)
Let me put it separately that people are earning Real money by creating and selling virtual products and services in virtual shops and offices.
Wanna give it a try... Click here!
This is really awesome boy. We are getting into the next generation of virtual reality! Cool man!
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