Virtual Worlds Comparison

     I have spent the past 2 weeks exploring virtual worlds which are geared toward students in grades 2-8.  I looked at the value that these worlds would have for teacher at that grade level.   I compared 4 virtual worlds using a variety of criteria that would be important to teachers.  See the following chart for details of this comparison.  Beyond the chart, I will give you details of my experience with each of the worlds as well as pictures of each world.

Virtual Worlds Comparison

	Little Space Heroes	WeeWorld	Toontown	Moshi Monsters
Type of Avatar	Space hero	WeeMee	Toon	Moshi
Most Suitable Age Group	6 - 12	13 and older	All ages	7 - 12
Main Goal of World	To become a space hero and take part in mysteries, adventure=res, mini-games and quests	To integrate avatar into social network and blog sites and participate in quests	To defeat the cogs and save the town	To adopt a pet monster and earn food and things for your monster by solving puzzles to earn ROX
Amount of Reading necessary to play the game	This world requires a lot of reading; would not be easy for a child who cannot read to play independently	This world requires a fair amount of reading, but can participate in many activities with minimal reading.	This world requires a fair amount of reading, but can participate in many activities with minimal reading.	This world requires a lot of reading; would not be easy for a child who cannot read to play independently
Can it be enjoyed with only the free option?	yes	yes	Yes ( I felt that it could but my 8 year old son insisted that he needed a membership to do everything that he wanted to do)	No, many areas and activities are for members only
Variety of games and activities	Yes	Yes	Everything that I read says yes, but I had difficulty finding them.	Yes, I thought the puzzles that you could play weekly were great for developing thinking skills.
8 year old test (My 8 year old sons opinion after playing each one with me)	He loved the puzzles and games	This was his favorite, because of game with Yoshi from Mario.  The chat function was not appropriate for his age group. I understand why it is 13 and over.	He played a little while, but claims he needs a membership in order to do what he wants to do.	He really enjoyed the puzzles that you could play in this world.

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Little Space Heroes

     In this virtual world, you are working to become a space hero.  This world was rather difficult to navigate and I spent a majority of my time wandering around.  I went to several of the locations throughout the world and then could not figure out what to do once I got there.  The games that I did play were fun and enagaging.  I did not earn any badges dduring my time in the virtual world.  I also felt that the world required a lot of reading, which could be difficult for many children.

 Astro's Pizza Place

Book of badges that can be earned

WeeWorld

     This virtual world is aimed at students who are slightly older that the elementary students that I work with.  One of the major components of the world is the ability to integrate into social network and blog sites.  While I was exploring the world and was trying to make friends withe other avatars, I noticed that relationship status of the avatar was listed as a characteristic.  Very young avatars had themselves labeled as single.  I was able to find a variety of games which I thought were taking me away from the site.  Many of the games were things that I had played on other sites.  these games included Jane's Hotel, Wheel of Fortune and Yoko.  I did not find an overabundance pf activities to do in to do in this area.  This site also had a bunch of pop-ups to get you to enter drawings for things such as iPods, computers, etc.

Toontown

Toontownhas a lot of games and activities.  It also hasToontown is geared toward children and adults of all ages.  In Toontown each tune is working to defeat the cogs and save Toontown. This world has a little bit less freedom to roam and instead you are required to complete certain activities in order.  This world has a lot of exciting games and activities, but the world is not always easy to maneauver.  I had a lot of difficulty moving aound the room.  This world would be difficult for a studnet who cannot read beacuse there is a lot of reading involved.  This world also has a lot of extra acticities that you can only do with a membership.

Moshi Monsters 

     In this world me, you are given an avatar called a Moshi. This Moshi is a pet that you adopt.  you then work to earn Rox to purchase foosd and other items for your moshi.  Rox can be earned by playing a collection of puzzles which require thinking skills, discerning ptterns and other cognitive skills.  Each puzzle can be played to earn Rox, once a day.  When my avatar began talikg to me in a foreign language. Luckily, I did not have to understand the language to play the games and explore.  The world had several games and activities that had an educational purpose.  There were trivia questions,math quizzes, and pattern puzzles among other things.  I went to the Grossery Store to purchase items for my avatar, but i could have purchased items in several other areas.  In addition to the puzzles, moshi can go to the Moshi fun park to play games.  Several areas of the world and ctivities can only be accessed by members.

My Avatar