Research+-+Costs

=Research - Costs=

The following table provides a guide to help estimate possible costs involved in implementing virtual worlds for education.

Where possible collaborate with other educational institutions and share access to virtual worlds and educational resources. See Second Classroom: Educators Learning in Virtual Worlds


 * **Item** || **Required?** || **Likely Cost** ||
 * Internet access ||  ||   ||
 * Computers - need sufficient RAM and suitable graphics capability ||  ||   ||
 * Support staff ||  ||   ||
 * User access ||  ||   ||
 * Region or Island annual fee ||  ||   ||
 * Hosting annual fee ||  ||   ||
 * Purchasing virtual items ||  ||   ||
 * Customisation ||  ||   ||

Hosting fees vary considerably and are dependent on the type of service being provided - shop around. Some examples:

Second Life Education
 * Basic accounts are free
 * Developed Landand SL Invoiced Island Order Site(Prices shown) NB Change in education pricing from Jan 2011
 * Educational Institutions in SL Directory
 * JokaydiaGrid Rentals in Second Life (Prices shown)
 * Solution Providers

Reaction Grid
 * Accounts free
 * Hosting and Self-Hosting(Prices shown)
 * JokaydiaGrid Rentals in Reaction Grid (Prices shown)

Sim Host
 * OpenSim Hosting Packages and Prices(Prices shown)

List of OpenSimhosting providers

Recommendations for possible Guidelines/Standards

 * Choose cheaper options initially that allow for later expansion, and shop around. Consider open source solutions such as OpenSim.
 * Where possible collaborate with other educational institutions and share access to virtual worlds and educational resources.
 * Join a community of Australian educational institutions using virtual worlds.