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The growing experimentation with multi-user virtual environments for educational purposes demands rigorous examination of all aspects of these digital worlds. While their use appears to enhance and expand traditional distance learning, educators acknowledge that barriers to access remain, including a steep learning curve for orienting users to MUVE navigation and functionality. The application of Adams’s Knowledge Development Model for Virtual Learning Environments provides a framework for the design of in-world learning opportunities and activities, many of which tend to mirror pedagogical best-practices in Real Life (RL).

Digital Ethnicity is a model developed to provide an organized method to define human interaction with digital communication technologies and the result of these interactions on cultural development. The ultimate goal for the development of Digital Ethnicity as a concept is to describe those aspects of digital ethnicity that influence society. These digital ethnic aspects are intended to guide thinking and provide insight into the social and educational needs of rapidly changing societal groupings by providing guidance for leaders and educators to address the biological, social and cognitive changes brought about by pervasive use of digital communication technologies. Digital Profiles have emerged by certain demographic characteristics-most notably, age and gender. This paper discusses these emerging profiles.