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Whyville is a great Virtual World to incorporate into your lesson plan if working with the middle school population. I work with teens and focus on media creation in which the music games would be very beneficial.
BENEFITS:
1. Provides an opportunity for students to learn through digital technology.
2. Incorporates content from various subjects that can be utilized in your lesson plans.
3. Enables students to utilize creativity while learning.
4. Creates opportunities for digital inclusion and digital literacy.

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3) The Interface
The interface for the Whyville virtual world appears to be a bit outdated. The animated affects and virtual dynamics are not up to date with the interfaces of more advanced virtual world online environments. The interface reminds me of an old school nintendo game. I truly believe that improvements can be made in the area of digital design.

4) Advertisements
The virtual world has many advertisements from companies while engaging within the site. At times it may come as a distraction but does not serve a beneficial purpose for youth while experiencing Whyville.

5) Some Non-Interactive Learning Games
Below is an example of a science activity game that I played in which I had to identify and match the filaments in the photos. The instructions before getting to this screen was a page long filled with 12 point font. The instructions were not very clear and the game was not very engaging at all. I did play a music game that was a lot more fun, but this particular science activity would not engage the average 12 year old.

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Review on Common Sense Media

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2) Online Safety and Consistent Regulation
When I created my account for Whyville, I had to register and receive my chat license in order to chat with other participants in Whyville. Although the chat license test is administered to participants, the chat logs are not consistently regulated. Within 15 minutes of me engaging with another avatar and trying to discover my way in the new virtual world, the avatar I was engaging with had made a mean and rude comment. According to Common Sense Media, "although the site uses a language filter and city workers review the chat log and warrant duct tape sentences to offenders, the chat is not monitored 24/7."

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1) The Limitations
a) Diversity- When I created my account with Whyville, I was very dissapointed in the lack of options when creating my avatar. Due to this fact I was not able to create and design an avatar that I felt I most closely identified with in the virtual world.
b) Space- The environment in the Whyville community is structured much like with an MMO. The rules are there with how to manipulate and maneuver through the virtual world. You have the autonomy to make decisions, but not the freedom to recreate and reinvent the environment in which you engage in Whyville.

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(Click Image to Enlarge)

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2) The Online Community
Whyville creates the opportunity for youth to meet and engage with other youth in an online community. Each participant gets to design their very own avatar and meet new friends in Whyville. The chat option allows for participants to engage in conversation with other participants in Whyville. Before getting access to chat with others, participants have to acquire a chatting license in which they must review the chatting policy for Whyville and pass a test. Having an online community where youth can engage, opens the door of possibilities with sharing knowledge and information with peers.

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1) The Learning Activities
Whyville offers a lot of learning games that allow youth to explore math, science, their creativity and even careers. The games allow youth to generate money into their bank account while living in Whyville as well as other game incentives. Below are a list of some of the games and activities offered in Whyville.

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Website: http://www.whyville.com
Target Age: 12+ (Although a review conducted by Common Sense Media stated the site is mainly used by preteens and teens between the age 8 to 15)
Virtual World Features: Learning Activities, Affinity Space, Online Community, Autonomy within Structured Environment, Free Account, No Download Necessary