For Educators

When adopting a new education platform it is very important to allow the students to acclimate themselves to the new medium. As with any new technology, users will need to learn the new tools, and how to interact with the new environment. Virtual Finance in the Teen Grid of Second Life is no exception. Additionally, our discussions with teachers have highlighted the need for control and focus, so we have devised an initial two day curriculum that will incorporate:

1. An engaging introduction to this new platform

2. Some post classroom work to prepare for game play

3. An initial financial education curriculum to begin the financial literacy program

These will allow you to get your class ready to use this new education platform for a variety of future financial lesson plans that will continue to be introduced in the future.

When using Modoh Island, you will quickly realize that the students will be engaged early, BUT they will also want to explore. We have devised a fun treasure hunt that will introduce them to everything they need to understand about this 3-D simulation, and how to effectively interact with the world and the game. We recommend you allocate one classroom session to this exercise. This will allow the students to enjoy the new concept and then, more importantly, get them prepared to focus more on the game in the second session.

A Case for Understanding More

From its inception, Virtual Finance has been developed with both a business perspective and an academic focus. Developed in conjunction with Filene i3, Members United Corporate FCU and Ohio University, we continue to be in awe of the overwhelming possibilities of this technology.

As we said from the very beginning, 3-D technology is so much more than Second Life, and in fact, our future pursuits will look to capitalize on the explosion of new possibilities. What makes Mo'doh Island, and our current platform so exciting, is the potential these tools demonstrate to truly help modify future behavior and help people to learn through immersive experience.

Very simply, we have a platform that will continue to develop into a perpetual simulation. We offer a multi-dimensional digital media experience that incorporates audio, video and 3-D role playing. Players can seek more information inside the virtual world or branch out to linked outside resources to become better informed and make more confident decisions in the future.

Understanding the Potential

Is it Just a Passing Fad?

Over the last 15 years, there has been an undeniable explosion of technology and specifically, over the past 5 years, an immense proliferation of Digital Media. (Technology that enables interaction and exchange of information.) Whether you embrace this communication paradigm shift or hold on to traditional methods like the Luddites of old, there is no dispute on the tremendous effect in has on our society.

Our goal with this article is to quickly help you understand how these technologies have dramatically affected the way we communicate and experience the world.

The videos on this page link to the PBS.org Frontline web site. They are from their award winning piece entitled, "The Digital Nation" which provides an exceptionally diverse look at virtual reality and immersive digital media. We have provided links to short clips from the PBS/Frontline web site and though we have focused on the positive potential, there is a well balanced and contemplative perspective provided on the pros and cons of this technology to our modern day society.

How Second Life Helps Educators

A Feature Rich Environment

The financial simulation platform provides a feature rich learning environment for students and teachers.

Traditional electronic media, such as documents and slide presentations can be brought into the platform, along with videos, music and more.

Mo'doh Island combines a wide variety of teaching tools for students to learn about finance, including informative videos, interactive calculators, simulation-based game play, online tests, entertaining quests and interactive collaboration and competition opportunities.

Students like to learn information in a way that works for them. Modoh Island addresses a wide array of learning styles. With its rich content, experiential "hands-on" approach and fun game setting, students are able to grasp financial concepts at their own pace.

Failure IS an option and most of us learn far more from mistakes than rote memorization. So let students fail in a safe environment and hit the "RESTART" button to try a different strategy. At the end of the game segment, there is an opportunity to pause, discuss and test students on what they learned.

Enthusiastic Learners

A Cure for the Mundane...

At times, does it seem as though your students can't wait to get out of the classroom?

Students like to learn information in a way that works for them. Mo'doh Island addresses a wide array of learning styles. With its rich content, experiential "hands-on" approach and fun game setting, students are able to grasp financial concepts at their own pace.