RMIT First University in Second Life

RMIT University is the first Victorian university to take part in virtual online world, Second Life. 13 students from the School of Architecture and Design have created an RMIT island, with digital sculptures, buildings and art. The island has cost the university almost $1k with its value already increasing. With six million users across the world, Second Life allows people to interact in virtual cities, towns and landscapes. Users are able to buy virtual property, businesses, clothes, and islands. (Source: Herald Sun)

Learn by clubbing in a virtual world

• Milanda Rout, June 20, 2007: The Australian
  

"RMIT University, new among campuses worldwide joining the weird, wired world of Second Life, has invested in a virtual island and is encouraging its students to visit virtual nightclubs and cafes.

Dozens of educational institutions across the US, Europe and now Australia are creating campuses in Second Life, a virtual world created, owned and run by online users.

Universities including Harvard are conducting lectures in the 3-D virtual world where more than seven million users create identities for themselves (avatars) and teleport to virtual cities, islands and even classrooms."

1. What is the potential for virtual worlds in education?
2. Would you attend a lecture or a tutorial in a virtual world?
3. What is the marketing implication for education in this situation?