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This article from the Economist gives a background on augmented reality, and explores future prospects: 2D bar codes, the evolution of Google Latitude, the future compass enabled Iphone.

I like the way the Nokia researcher describes "virtual reality" dividing into "augmented reality" (real world with layers of additional information) and "augmented virtuality" (virtual game worlds being made more information-rich). Helpful distinction.

"Virtual reality never really died, he says-it just divided itself in two, with AR enhancing the real world by overlaying information from the virtual realm, and VR becoming what he calls "augmented virtuality", in which real information is overlaid onto virtual worlds, such as players' names in video games... its potential is huge."

Discusses the use of virtual worlds for business collaboration

Ning, which lets Web users create their own social networks about any topic they want, plans to open a virtual gift shop on Wednesday. Users will be able to buy and sell virtual gifts, as they can on some other social networks, including Facebook. On Ning, they will also be able to create and sell their own, custom-designed virtual gifts.

Very few virtual schools have worked with students this young, so there are interesting questions about jumping from no virtual schooling all the way to this model.

There is a really fascinating and controversial policy story behind this. Through "legislative sausage-making" the states first virtual school is being run by a single district out in Western Mass., mostly as a result of the entrepreneurial spirit of the superintendent. There are big questions about what will happen as students across the state sign up for the virtual school and their districts are required to pay tuition to Greenfield. And Greenfield isn't really providing a school, they are just enrolling students to be taught by a for-profit company, K-12. There are quite a few very interesting policy issues that would be worth digging into as the state launches this new venture in an unusual way.

When I first read the article, I immediately thought "an idealist gone rogue." I wondered if there was even any research/method behind this decision, and you mentioned there is a fee. Did I understand correctly that the school district will have to pay this fee for the student like some sort of voucher? If I get a chance I'm going to look for more articles out there on this project. Thanks for mentioning it, Justin. Interesting, indeed.

Virtual professors? I think a virtual Dede would be cool, but I like knowing his mustache is real, and not bought in a virtual hair salon.

virtual education meets some students' needs

Thanks for sharing this link. This is interesting for me to read because I grew up in this district. I also think virtual classrooms are a valuable tool for children who suffer from illness and might otherwise have to miss extended periods of class time. My younger brother is a college student and is currently stuck at home with Mono and might have to drop the semester- it would be great if he could keep up with his work online, while resting at home.

It is frustrating that his college does not have a distance learning option. Hope your brother feels better soon.

Not sure what the virtual world adds to this

Professors in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science are creating a multimedia system that uses multiple 3-D cameras to create avatars of humans in two different places, and then puts them in the same virtual space where they can interact.

What happens to your teen avatar when the plug is pulled on your virtual world?

That looks like a tragedy that's rooted in bad software architecture - having the Teen software be so different from the main Second Life software that it now has to be shut down ... tsk tsk. I hope Linden Labs has learned from this. It was really interesting to learn how this has been used in education (with specifics about hurdles the teachers had to jump to get it into the curriculum).

Newest Disney attraction called - Sum of All Thrills where kids get to design their own virtual roller coaster. It uses virtual-reality technology. "Disney hopes the interactive nature of the ride would also help kids learn that math and science can be fun."

While I would not consider this incredibly expensive ride a 'distruptive innovation' or even an emerging ed technology, what Epcot has done by bringing this DIY-VR concept to the masses (if you are one of the masses that can A- afford Disney and B-have the patience to wait in line for `5-6 hours) is very important to future ed tech innovation strategies. The progression/invention of such cost prohibitive entertainment tools will fall squarely on the high-end theme parks and consumer venues. The challenge has been set by Epcot and now others must either compete directly or develop a better or more accessible solution. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few cost saving innovations that might be developed in this 'race'- Artificial G-Force Engline: variable air pressure, smart-chairs, fans

This is a good example of how a product is trying to make you feel more immersed by placing virtual objects in the real world instead of a completely virtual world.

This could possibly put the 'fun' back in 'functional' - if students are operating within the "real world" on sincere applications, they may generalize their skills better. I'm all for perceiving my world in 50% cartoon ;o)

Virtual learning can help districts address many needs, such as filling a gap between courses a school offers and courses students might want to take but aren't currently offered-and a new report offers insights on starting a virtual learning program from a number of seasoned experts.

Full article requires registration with Ed Week.

Virtual Schooling gone awry in Wyoming.

Background on Augmented Reality. Reading for 9/14.

An article from TheApple.com about 5 ways to provide virtual field trips for students, including augmented reality and a class trip to the moon.

"Anything that brings language alive, whether that's in the real world or the virtual world, is a good thing."

10th grader quits a traditional school to learn at a virtual school

Florida virtual school goes worldwide

Meez, a start-up that expanded last year from an avatar creation service into a full-out virtual world for teens, is touting some good news: it's been profitable since April and "every month is better than the last month," CEO John Cahill told CNET News.

Using second life to facilitate business meetings is an indicator of how virtual collaboration is becoming more prevalent in the business world.