Faux pas at virtual world discussion highlight continuing 'transitional phase'

expertise, but a general philosophy about information technology management that is averse to virtual worlds and other innovations. "IT doesn't really belong to the IT department," she said. "A mail department employee can bring down an entire company from a blog [with libelous comments]... so it's more about [a need for] information literacy [throughout an organization.]"

One educator who is active in creating virtual world curricula at the University of Texas at San Antonio told Computerworld that colleges have in the last year undertaken more work with virtual worlds, based on an increase in online discussions between schools. "The opportunities provided by virtual worlds are tremendous on several levels," said the educator, who asked not to be named because she is not an appointed representative.

Students at her school can learn to use tools to build virtual objects and environments and other content, including videos inside the Tejano Tech simulation inside Second Life. However, the biggest problem, has been "connectivity issues," she said, including basic network access.