Keynote Speaker - Dr. Edward Castronova - pdf of presentation
founder Scholarly Virtual World Studies, University of Indiana, and author of Exodus to the Virstual World.

Studying Beehives, Not Bees. Virtual Worlds Policy Analysis
Controlled experimentation is the most powerful tool known to humankind for discovering facts about the real world. However, it has mainly been utilized only in the natural sciences and not the social sciences, which urgently needs to better understand what is really happening in social systems. Policy analysts suffer more than anyone. Every year, another major policy is enacted without any clear idea of how it will change the world.

This talk will explore the possibility of using virtual worlds employing scale, engagement, and longevity to bring controlled experiments to policy analysis which studies societies of people. With virtual experimental environments, we can discover truths about the social world of human beings which, at the moment, seems to be the site where everything is breaking down and where we need insight most desperately.

Government Keynote Speaker: Eric Hackathorn - pdf of presentation
NOAA and Fed 100 winner for pioneer work in virtual worlds

Virtual Worlds as a Platform for Government Collaboration
Today our society faces numerous challenges from the economy to the climate. Solving these issues begins with effective collaboration tools. How can virtual worlds assist in this process creating a "road map forward?"

Keynote Speaker: Clark Aldrich - pdf of presentation
Author of Learning Online with Games,Simulations, and Virtual Worlds: Strategies for Online Instruction

Simulations, Games, and Virtual Worlds: The Unifying View for Deployment

Basic definitions of educational simulations, serious games, and virtual worlds

When to use each, including measurement

How to launch a successful program for your organizations' goals, needs, and capabilities, including development and deployment, and worst practices to avoid The new role of instructors as coaches

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tony O’Driscoll - pdf of presentation
Professor of the Practice at Duke University, co-author of Learning in 3D

Learning in 3D: Adding a New Dimension to Enterprise Learning and Collaboration.
Tony will highlight how Virtual Immersive Environments can add value to enterprise learning and collaboration. He will also share nine case studies from early adopters who have applied this technology to improve organizational performance. Finally, he will delve more deeply into a 3D learning design approach and set of archetypes that are core to creating a differentiated learning 3D learning experience.