This week I completed my updated list of virtual worlds and enterprises that provide virtual world services. I discovered that many of the virtual worlds in existence today are actually branches of other, larger virtual worlds. Perhaps the internet gives us too many options. I have been looking at my learning objectives for this semester and thinking about the implications of the work I am currently doing for a 'real' library setting and I understand some of the issues that have come up in discussion such as the reluctance to use new technologies. I fully understand this sentiment as there are a lot of options and the whole thing can be very intimidating. Also, not have people in the same place can provide many options which can be a good thing but also, having so many people and options spread across the internet, what's an organization to do if they wanted to market their brand? Pick the best fit for their target demographic, I suppose. I wish I'd been more interested in marketing and business in my undergraduate years. This is fascinating.
And then while updating my resume I came upon an interesting situation... I have my previous work sites listed on my resume with dates worked, the name of the organization and the physical location. In this case... what do I put down? I thought perhaps the URL to the AVW's website would suffice as 'The Internet' may not look good to certain employers.
Business is my background, and you are correct. They need to determine what their purpose is for wanting to participate in SM, who their target audience is, find out where their target audience hangs out, and then determine the best "toolbox" of SM tools to use to reach them. What isn't mentioned here is that a thorough understanding of the industry in which the organization operates is necessary as far as laws, regulations, etc. Then the service learning agreements of the SM sites need to be studied to be sure the organization doesn't place itself in jeopardy by using the tools they select. It's not as easy as some like to think. But it is exciting!
ReplyDeleteGood point on location of site. You could put the URL, of course. Some have a headquarters location under contact information that could be used. Our Wed speaker from Credo, for example, operates out of West Virginia, although headquarters are in Boston.