Wuhan International Conference on E-business

A Special Seminar on Virtuallity as a Frontier for MIS Research

The JVWR (http://www.jvwresearch.org/)will host a seminar at The Eleventh Wuhan International Conference on E-Business (An AIS Affiliated Conference)  (http://www.whiceb.com/), May 26-27, 2012 in Wuhan, China. It is widely recognized in the region and beyond as an excellent and fascinating academic conference on e-Business. 

Talks include:
1.The Five Challenges of Virtual Worlds Research
Dr. Yesha Y. Sivan -- Tel Aviv Academic College. Tel Aviv, Israel.
 Abstract:
Real virtual worlds are defined as an integration of four factors: 3D, Community, Creation, and Commerce (AKA 3D3C). The more we have of these factors the closer we get to real virtual worlds. In that sense IMVU, Second Life, and Entropia are more real virtual worlds than Club Penguin, World of Warcraft, and SIMS online. In the talk five research challenges that deal with interface, money, dependency, identity, and scale-ability.
Bio:
Dr. Yesha Sivan is the head of the Information Systems Program (http://is.mta.ac.il) at the School of Management and Economy at the Tel-Aviv-Yaffo academic college (http://www.mta.ac.il). He is also the founder of Metaverse Labs (MVL) - a leading think tank focusing on connecting virtual and real worlds. Dr. Sivan professional experience includes developing and deploying innovative solutions for corporate, hi-tech, government, and defense environments (see for example: the Harvard 9-Keys for Knowledge Infrastructure). He published numerous papers in the areas of Strategy and IT, knowledge, 3D3C virtual worlds, and standards. Dr. Sivan received his doctorate from Harvard University. His avatar is Dera Kit, and his blog is http://www.dryesha.com. He has taught EMBA, MBA, engineering and design in the areas of strategic value of IT, the emergence of virtual worlds, and software development in virtual worlds.
 
2.Six Learnings Framework for Curriculum in Fictive Worlds
Dr. Kenneth Y T Lim -- Office of Education Research, National Institute of Education, Singapore
Abstract:
Since 2010, some schools in Singapore have been using Second Life in the teaching and learning of key concepts in geography, such as geomorphology and map literacy. These interventions have been in-part funded by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Education in Singapore. The curricular units designed around these topics have been informed by the Six Learnings framework for curriculum design in fictive worlds and virtual environments, which was conceptualized by Kenneth in 2008. Since then, the framework and findings have been shared at both geographical- and virtual worlds-related conferences in Southeast Asia, Britain and the United States. In this talk, Kenneth will share some of the critical insights and the underlying philosophy which have informed these investigations.
Bio:
Kenneth Y T Lim is a Research Scientist at the Office of Education Research, National Institute of Education, Singapore. His research interests are the affordances for learning of fictive worlds and virtual environments such as Second Life. To this end, he works closely with teachers from schools in Singapore, and with the Ministry of Education, to develop curricular interventions which leverage these affordances.

3.Monetizing Virtual Worlds: the Case of Anshe Chung Studios Ailin Graef -- CEO of Anshe Chung Studios, Ltd. (Hubei, China)
Abstract:
Globally accessible virtual worlds provide an opportunity for new forms of collaboration and organization. In this workshop Ailin Graef
will discuss several successful virtual world use-cases in the for-profit, non-profit and educational sectors. She will also share her experience in harvesting talent in China and overseas to create
value in virtual worlds. 
Bio:
Ailin Graef is a pioneer in virtual world entrepreneurship and monetization of computer game economies. In 2006, using the pseudonym "Anshe Chung", she became the world's first virtual world millionaire and received global media recognition for building a virtual real estate business inside Second Life. Since then she has been involved in the creation of several successful 3D social media startup companies including Anshe Chung Studios, Ltd. (Hubei), Virtuatrade, LLC (PA), Reality Network, Ltd. (Wuhan), Frenzoo, Ltd (HK) and 3D Avatar School, Ltd (HK).  Ailin originally graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University and taught at the Huanggang Normal University before becoming involved with online media.
 
For participation at the workshop in Wuhan please contact : Info@jvwresearch.org