Collaborations and Partnerships in Virtual Worlds: Building a Digital Learning Ecosystem. In a recent interview, Charlie Rose (PBS “The Charlie Rose Show”) asked Masayoshi Son, Softbank’s CEO and Chairman, about the future of business structures. Son responded: “joint ventures built on technology platforms”. In this presentation, Jim Bower will describe how 17 years research and development using the children’s virtual game-based learning world Whyville.net has established a foundation in Intellectual Property for a series of joint business ventures with for-profit and non-profit organizations to construct a broad based digital learning platform for both informal (home based) and formal (school based) education. Speakers Jim Bower, CEO, Virtual Worlds IP Inc. Denise G. Tayloe, Co-Founder & CEO, PRIVO

1. Venturing to Construct
a
Digital Learning Ecosystem
Dr. James Bower Ph.D.
CEO Virtual Worlds IP, Inc.

2. What does the technology change?
1436

3. What does the technology change?
1605
1436

4. 1986

5. • Leading educational virtual world since 1999.
• Target audience: 8 to 15 year olds.
• Over 100 educational games from math and science to art and civics.
• Innovative, patented seamless multi-platform technology.
• 80+ prestigious sponsors & partners.
• Award winning, COPPA compliant, parent &
teacher approved.
Whyville Facts & Stats
• 8 million registrants
• 74% girls
• 140 countries worldwide
• 30+ min average visit
length
1999

6. Many Development Partners

7. 1999 - continuing

8. 1999 - continuing

9. DirectoroftheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademark
Officehasreceivedanapplicationforapatentforanew
andusefulinvention.Therequirementsoflawhavebeen
compliedwith,andithasbeendeterminedthatapatenton
theinventionshallbegrantedunderlaw.Therefore,this
UNITEDSTATESPATENT
Grantstothepersonorpersonshavingtitletothispatentthe
righttoexcludeothersfrommaking,using,sellingorimport-
ingtheinventionthroughouttheUnitedStatesofAmericafor
thetermofseventeenyears,ortwentyyearsiffiledonorafter
June8,1995,fromthefilingdateofthispatent,subjecttothe
paymentofmaintenancefeesasprovidedbylaw.
WhatIsClaimedIs:
April12,2011
DirectoroftheUnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOfficeAttest
December20,2001
1.Amethodinwhichapluralityofmembers
interactswithinanimmersiveonlinecommunityhaving
avatarvirtualobjects;
GraphicalInteractive
InterfaceForImmersive
OnlineCommunities
GRANTEDTOJAMESM.BOWER,MARKA.DINAN,
UnitedStatesPatent
-US7,925,703B2-
JENNIFERYUN-MANSUN&ANNM.PICKARD,INVENTORS
U.S. Patent # 7,925,703
The Numedeon Interactive
Community Engine
2001 2012
issued
- Cross platform
- Middleware Agnostic
- Low band width
- Browser-based
- No downloads

10. What to do?
 8,000,000 registered users worldwide
 Several thousand teachers
 100 sponsors
 180+ games and activities
 30 years of R & D
 Large deep IP - protected
 Original focus and intention: learning

11. 2015

12. Real Learning / Classrooms / Homes
Multi $BB - TOUGH BUSINESS

13. ‘Pain Points’ for educational system
 Social Emotional Wellbeing
 Real Learning (documented)
 Safety / Data Privacy

14. Sept. 2015
First VWIP Joint Venture

15.  Founded 1958
 50 States, 35 Countries
 1,200 employees
 Non profit
Real learning

16.  leader in pre-K-12 mathematics education
 systemic reform
 curriculum development
 professional development
 research

17. Safety / Data Privacy
Tools for Tailored Learning May Expose Students’
Personal Details
By NATASHA SINGER
AUG. 30, 2015

18. PRIVO (pronounced pry-vō)
• FTC Approved COPPA Safe Harbor
• All-in-one identity and consent management solution
• Children’s on-line security (NIST / White House Initiative)
• Fusion of risk reduction, easier access and parental
convenience, thus enabling improved online engagement
between brands and minors.

19. Kid’s ‘ecosystem’

20. Kid’s ‘ecosystem’

21. Cool! Now I can be sure I’ve got a
strong password.
The
Strong Password Game
mickeymouse
bubblegum
cheetahsrcool
Hdig&mitfcy23bi
mMn#mttbeap9
73?yhw#
messi=king
bf4ever!

22. Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank

23. Hey I like that game
Whyville Game Arcade