One of the practical uses for 3D spaces is that it allows for the creation of experience. It is one thing to read about history, for example, but another to immerse yourself through the senses. Ok, granted taste has not worked yet in early versions of virtual worlds. :) Besides the Central Florida Memory Exhibit in SL, which does help bring history alive through the cracker cottage with cornbread steaming in the oven, clothes moving in the breeze on the line in the humid sunny afternoon, and chickens walking and clucking through the yard, there are a number of virtual history projects. For example you can visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and you can tour the Palace of Versailles. There have been several recent exciting announcements about two new 3D history projects.
The first is in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of Darwin's On the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (On a side note, that is basically my gardening style, "survival of the fittest.") The University of Cincinnati has recreated in sl the Galapagos Islands where Darwin conducted some of his famous research. Currently the site is available for students, however, shortly after the start of 2009 the space will be open to anyone in sl. Through your avatar you will be able to trace the steps of Darwin's journey on the Beagle with the help of a tour guide.
The other recent announcement is that the University of Virginia will create virtual tours of 5 sites from 1776 Colonial Williamsburg. The three dimensional models are being touted as a way of expanding museum audiences and enriching the onsite experiences with online experiences. The work is being funded by a nearly 1 million dollar grant from the Institute of Museums and Library Services.
--Laurel
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