Designing a Virtual Olympic Games Framework for Online Communities
Abstract: This paper provides some details about a project designed by a group of graduate students from OISE, University of Toronto. Using Web 2.0 technologies, we designed a project able to provide support in performing various sports redesigned for online communities. This involves designing and building an online environment and also future investigations about how it is possible to help some of the existing computer technologies (such as gaming consoles, exercise equipment with computer interfaces, devices of measuring health, speed, force and distance, and Web 2.0 interfaces) to allow people to compete in various sports across great distances through the Internet. As a starting model we considered a Stationary Bike Setup offering users information about their individual health and performance. There are diverse potential fields where this project can be used: theories of learning, technologies, cybercultural studies, fitness, sports and nutrition. This paper only discusses the initial design and future directions.