More from Terra Nova – Nick Yee and buddies have been investigating different aspects of virtual interaction and claim:

Our data showed that many patterns of physical interaction in the real world carry over into the virtual world. In other words, our insistence on embodiment in virtual environments structures social interactions in these worlds in ways that we may not consciously be aware of. On the other hand, this implies that virtual worlds may be useful platforms for studying things even as visceral as the rules of physical interaction.

I think this has very interesting implications for those Drama teachers who still claim that the “disembodiment” of online interaction has no place in our practice.  I’ve been claiming this is the case for many years – admittedly based on an “intuitive” understanding of online culture, so its great to find some has done some investigation that begins to mitigate my beliefs.

I think this paper begins to afford more credibility to my assertions about computer-mediated drama pedagogy anf performance.  I’m feeling a bit more confident about the way I feel drawn towards Second Life as a model or site for engaged drama practice.

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