Week 1, Blog 2: MiniMonos: Linking Kids' Virtual World and Real World Action

Here is the article's link:  http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/minimonos_linking_kids_virtual_world_and_real_worl.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader.

This article discusses how there are social networking / interacting sites for children under 13, since so many of the interactive / social networking users online are youths.  The site talks about MiniMonos, which is a site originating in New Zealand.  This site allows kids to do interactive actions that may seem like games, but in actuality is teaching students about the environment, cause / effect, and sustainability.  By having students play the interactive games, the young children are learning about very important environmental and educational concepts that they need to know about as the earth's environmental future is in need of dynamic solutions. 

By starting children off young, sites like these are teaching students numerous things.  This includes environmental issues, but it also includes social networking and technology skills.  The more interactive these activities are, the better it is for the children.  It is important, however, to note that children need to understand that the computer website is a game and that real-life issues persist and cannot be "turned off" like a computer game can be.  After playing the game, the responsible parent / adult needs to show the child the real-world application of the ideas / concepts that were found in the game.  Plus, taking the child to the zoo, parks, and other important environmental places will further embedden within the child the various concepts found on the interactive site.  Overall, if all of these -- the virtual and real world activities -- are combined, the young children will certainly grow and develop important understandings about this world.

Watters, Audrey.  "MiniMonos: Linking Kids' Virtual World and Real World Action."  19 June 2011.  Web, ReadWriteWeb.  20 June 2011. <http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/minimonos_linking_kids_virtual_world_and_real_worl.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader>.