The Future of Immersion, In My Mind
In contemplating the future of immersion in my mind, there are many possibilities that exist, none of which seem to be very easy to take. Given the story that we heard about the Korean couple, we can only imagine that in the future this problem could be much worse, especially given the definite possibility of more realistic online character that you can create for yourself. People right now spend hours and days and weeks in online environments with people they don't even know playing a game that simulates reality, perhaps a skewed reality in a different world. People are easily able to immerse themselves in pseudo-realities every day and being able to do so in a much more realistic manner, detached from the bounds of real society, can only compound the problem.
Virtual reality must not be seen as an impending doom, however. It must be viewed as a realm of possibility, but one that shan't be trifled with. When looking at the possibility of furthering online education in 3D VLE's, it appears to me to be a practical way of engaging more people in learning. I would even look at it as 'cheating' on the teachers part. Using video games as a means of engaging is probably even worse than watching a movie in class with students, but if it works in getting them more involved, why fight it?
For someone like me, getting engaged in the classroom has always been a problem. But getting engaged in an online environment is simple. Why? Possibly because I grew up loving video games, and have played them for over 20 years. And possibly because everyone is engaged in a online environment everyday, learning about each other in a mutually shared online environment. Imagine if FACEBOOK were VIRTUAL? Now putting a virtual environment in the hands of students, where they can learn and engage in a fun way can only end on an upside, right? Not Necessarily. The possibility for distraction is equally as real, and this time, it would be much harder for the instructor to reel in the class. The possibility for virtual online anarchy is clearly foreseeable. We must tread lightly. For now the online classroom must be kept small, and the class count should probably never grow to more than a handful.
When looking at the future of immersion beyond the classroom, I look forward with both excitement and trepidation. I am fully capable of staying clear of virtual environments, video games etc. for lengthy periods without being bothered. But many people cannot. I know too many people who get home from work at four or five and spend the rest of the night playing video games until they go to sleep, maybe briefly stopping to eat, and then wake up and do it again the next day.
One of my favorite television shows, The Big Bang Theory, is about a group of such people, who congregate together for weekends at a time, each bringing their own laptops, and play World of Warcraft for 72 hours straight holed up in a tiny apartment. (The show is hilarious!) During one episode, The Barbarian Sublimation, the pretty girl from next door, Penny is introduced to the game and becomes seriously addicted to the point of 'immersive illness'. (She is invited on a quest by Howard, one of the guy's next door friends who she is normally grossed out by, and she accepts.) At this point she realizes that she has succumbed to World of Warcraft addiction just like the guys.
(Here's a small clip!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5htYFsvuL8
Sheldon shows her how to play
She has clearly lost it!
Her avatar, Queen Penelope
It finally hits her, she's a nerd!
With games and avatars and everything else advancing at practically light speed, I cannot predict the future. Who knows what 3D environments will be like in 5 years? Someone more knowledgeable than I could make a fairly educated guess, but it would still only be a guess. The addition of physical components to supplement the virtual environment is already being introduced, and will only get more advanced. With the advancement of not only the imagery, but the way in which we manipulate the environment, the future is a highly uncertain for immersion. The only thing we know for sure is that it will continue to evolve. It is our obligation to steer it toward the higher good. But, is it truly in our hands to keep its evolution on the right path? Only time will tell.
