virtual worlds | Liam O'Donnell

First impressions: Wizard 101

by liam | Jun 13, 2008 | gaming, media, virtual worlds

Last night, I got my beta invitation to Kingsisle Entertainment’s new mmo for kids: Wizard 101 and although I’m still a mere Novice Conjurer who hasn’t explored much beyond Unicorn Way, I am impressed with the game so far. Wizard 101 answers the...

Advancing learning in a digital age

by liam | May 10, 2008 | education, gaming, literacy, media, virtual worlds

Yesterday was the Joan Ganz Cooney Center Inaugural Symposium, Logging Into the Playground: How Digital Media Are Shaping Children’s Learning, in New York City and thanks to the wonders of streaming media and virtual worlds like Second Life, I was able to take...

Connecting with educators in RezEd

by liam | Apr 27, 2008 | education, gaming, literacy, media, virtual worlds

With the arrival of ning.com, creating social networks is as easy as creating an email account. I find places like Facebook too broad in their focus for an online network. Same with LinkedIn (although as more people are joining linkedin and find me, a cohesive network...

Putting on my Second Skin

by liam | Apr 23, 2008 | gaming, life, media, virtual worlds

Writing this as I run out the door: Heading out to finally see the totally cool looking new documentary, Second Skin as part of Toronto’s equally cool Hot Docs festival. After that, I’m meeting with the star of the film (okay, he’s got a 15 second...

Talking kids’ virtual worlds with the TDSB

by liam | Apr 21, 2008 | appearances, education, gaming, literacy, media, virtual worlds

Last Friday marked the end of my classes at OISE’s Bachelor of Education program, but I’m not done with my teacher training or talking to teachers. In addition to a month-long internship at the Institute of Child Studies Lab School, I’m heading out...