juliesvoyage2
10-15-2008, 08:31 PM
I don't know if any of you are familiar with the on line pets and stuffed animals called Webkinz. They are intended for kids, but lots of my adult friends like them. Part of my dissertation is researching the learning that occurs through Webkinz and other virtual environments, and I have had fun getting to know the site for research... I'll admit it, besides this site, it is the other one that I am addicted to ;)
Anyway, the virtual pets have a screen that shows you how happy, hungry, and healthy they are. When you feed them food from the garden, which you have tended by watering, raking, etc., they say cute phrases like, "That is so refreshing!" "It was worth all of the hard work!" and "I feel much better now!" The pets' health increases a lot. When compared to the store bought watermelon, its health and happiness go up more with a home grown water melon. So, today I made the decision that my pets are going raw, too. :) Now if only I could somehow tie in how the Internet is a good educator through message boards like this one, versus just reading about the information in a book, I would be set. :)
Anyway, the virtual pets have a screen that shows you how happy, hungry, and healthy they are. When you feed them food from the garden, which you have tended by watering, raking, etc., they say cute phrases like, "That is so refreshing!" "It was worth all of the hard work!" and "I feel much better now!" The pets' health increases a lot. When compared to the store bought watermelon, its health and happiness go up more with a home grown water melon. So, today I made the decision that my pets are going raw, too. :) Now if only I could somehow tie in how the Internet is a good educator through message boards like this one, versus just reading about the information in a book, I would be set. :)