Alternate Reality Learning

Using Second Life Avatar to build social network in a virtual world may support the education in the real world. Alternate reality learning provides users rich visual and interactive instruction; self-paced and flexible learning schedule; and an opportunities to expand the users' social network from the communication, collaborative learning experience in the virtual world. Alternate reality learning and other forms of e-learning may not be able to fully replace the traditional in-class learning, but they provide learners more opportunities to have new forms of learning experiences with the consideration of the traditional teaching and learning principles in the society. Alternate reality learning may not be able to fulfill people's every need in the desire of learning, and may not be able to overcome the barriers of the cultural differences. Alternate reality learning requires the development in higher-quality of game design, usability design, and computer programing. An improved user-interface and user-experience design will engage and increase learners' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.