Presentation from the 2007 NMC Symposium on Evolution of Communication

This session will consider notions of openness and closure in relation to institutional use of 3D MUVEs and web access more broadly. While the virtual world is embracing user created content and peer driven community, many institutional settings are debating issues of liability, control, resources, and access. Many sites that are used to scaffold awareness, support immersion and underpin successful use of 3D platforms are blocked or deemed a threat to organisational IP, web security and copyright.

Communication and connections are essential in a modern context of learning; it is obvious that participatory culture is still a challenge to organisations founded in traditional models of academia, especially so when this is translated into virtual spaces. How do we contribute to guiding and developing effective mechanisms that enable timely and relevant access to new technologies and new modalities? Do we accept institutional colonisation, lead the revolution, or establish a new virtual public sphere?