At the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bryon Okada delves into the advantages of 3D worlds for scientists.

One of the subjects is a student, Jacqueline Rodriguez, who has been able to use the convergence of the program to make her avatar walk through a simulation of cell walls.

“I can visualize everything,” she said, “when we’re going over an idea, you can simply go over and ’see’ what you’re learning.” She was able to conduct some farily complex science experiements in the 3D model which has enhanced her learning.

Mary Anne Clark is a biology professor at Texas Wesleyan and uses Second Life as a teaching tool and to duplicate science experiments. For example, she was able to replicate a famouse experiment on mice in SL which could not be done in real time, because the university has no mice.

And professors at the University of North Texas have finished a study that indicates 3D learning can enhance real time education, but did note that online learning cannot replace the role of the teacher.