Today the New Media Consortium (NMC) announced a $250,000 two-year collaboration with Sun Microsystems to launch the Open Virtual Worlds Project, an effort that is aimed at making it even easier to learn, work, and exchange ideas in virtual space. The project will develop a range of standards-based, portable open-source educational spaces, content, and objects, and use them to extend Sun Microsystems's open source Project Darkstar and Project Wonderland virtual world platforms.

Innovate, published as a public service by the Fischler School of Education and Human Services and sponsored, in part, by Microsoft is soliciting manuscripts for a special issue on academics in virtual environments. This issue focuses on the use of Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) as an enhancement to K-21 education. A MUVE combines graphics and audio with the ability to communicate with multiple users in real time within the context of a 3-D virtual environment. MUVEs are not necessarily considered games, as programs like Second Life and There have no end goal or objective.

Harvard's CyberOne: Law in the Court of Public Opinion course opened the doors for other academics to use virtual environments to enhance teaching and learning. In the past two years, over 300 colleges and universities have claimed virtual land in an attempt to enhance content delivery. This virtual land and its future development occurs only a computer network. While critics and skeptics exist, many educators are looking to take the plunge and discover the potential of virtual-based teaching.

Submissions for this special issue may address, but are not limited to, these key issues:

We perform 3D imaging for complex shapes like art, sculpture, historic artifacts, etc. - virtually any size or shape object or structure. The process creates a 3D digital reproduction and we have captured many examples of real-world objects including the Liberty Bell, Matisse sculptures, Abe in the chair at the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown, ancient artifacts, etc. Many projects have taken place on-site at museums, galleries, foundries, and art studios. A natural result of this work is the use of this data for on-line interactive 3D visualizations for the viewing public. We have many such examples of this on our website at: http://www.dirdim.com/port_direct3dview.htm I am very curious as to the response of this audience to this type of visualization and how it can be further incorporated creatively into websites for more exciting content. I welcome your comments. Michael Raphael Direct Dimensions, Inc. rapid solutions to 3D problems... 410-998-0880 ph info@dirdim.com www.directdimensions.com