Two virtual link diagrams are homotopic if one may be transformed into the other by a sequence of virtual Reidemeister moves, classical Reidemeister moves, and self crossing changes. We recall the pure virtual braid group. We then describe the set of pure virtual braids that are homotopic to the identity braid.

One of the first tasks that people must do when entering a virtual world (VW) is create a virtual representation for themselves. In many VWs, this means creating an avatar that represents some desired appearance, whether a reflection of one’s real life self, or a different identity. We investigate the variety of ways in which people create and evolve avatar appearances in the VW of Second Life ...

In this article, the author presents a theoretical overview of the connections among education, technology and intercultural literacy within Second Life, a multiuser virtual environment. Some researchers and educators are advocating that SL can enhance and encourage intercultural literacy. However, educators and researchers need to be fully aware of how complex culture and cultural identity are...

This study explored the use of virtual world role-play activities to increase pre-service teachers’ sense of teaching efficacy and attitudes toward inclusion. These constructs are also important for teacher identity development since they influence teacher dispositions, effort, professional development and beliefs in intrinsic obligations. The activity was embedded in an undergraduate course fo...

With the emergence and popularity of online social networking technologies (Web 2.0) students are exploring new concepts of self, identity and community both in real and virtual spaces. New theories are necessary to develop social policy responses, including those of educational systems and institutions, to the consequences of these new conceptualisations. We present an original theoretical mod...