Sunday, October 5, 2008

Quest Atlantis

I was online the other night for the first of a series of professional development training sessions for Quest Atlantis. Quest Atlantis is one of the newer online virtual worlds that capitalizes on students digital nature and love of gaming. QA combines the rich problem solving aspects of a well written webquest and the virtual environment of Teen Grid. For those of you unfamiliar with Quest Atlantis, you may want to watch the overview below.


Although my colleagues and I are just in the beginning stages of exploration of this international virtual world, we all agree that it has much to offer. While Quest Atlantis lacks in the rich graphic display and flexible use of Teen Grid, it more than makes up for it with the comprehensive, modern curriculum. There are currently over 600 quests from which to choose! Questers are actively involved in solving engaging curricular tasks which explore each of the 4 different worlds created around 7 social committments.


Wisdom
Creative Expression
Environmental Awareness
Personal Agency
Healthy Communities
Social Responsibility
Diversity Affirmation
QA is more open to the outside world as compared to Teen Grid which not only opens the particpants to more opportunities for collaboration, but it also poses some additional challenges. I look forward to using this curriculum with the students and will keep you posted on all the latest developments.

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