Tech Musings: Webkinz and Education

A few people recently commented on the popularity of Webkinz. Although I haven't used it myself, I've read a few articles and heard several anecdotes that attest to its popularity. It seems to have both cult appeal (even some adults attest to being hooked on it) and that "sticky" factor Malcolm Gladwell talks about.

I'm not sure what aspects make children and adults alike return to the site, and continually spend money on it, but imagine if we could take this concept and make it an educational standard?

We know that, our education system could use some improvement, and we also know that toy companies know how to market to kids.

If we could harness that marketing genius, and associate that cuddly online world with the things that turn kids off to education - animated animals that tell stories about history; cartoons that teach math, whatever - imagine the possibilities. We've all seen children fight for another hour of Playstation past bedtime; we've not nearly as often seen them fight so eagerly for another hour of schoolwork.