Zora is a constructionist graphical virtual world for kids to explore identity and values through storytelling and computation. It is a 3-D multi-user environment particularly designed to help people explore the powerful idea that identity is dynamic construction composed by diverse and conflicting aspects and values. People can build artifacts and chracters as representations of a complex self, as well as communities in which personal values are realized and put to test.

In the same spirit than MOOSE Crossing and Pet Park, kids can draw pictures and program behaviors for their own rooms, temples, objects, storytellers and characters. In the same spirit than SAGE, they can program storytelling interactions and conversations with the characters of the world. In the same spirit than Kaleidostories, children can write stories about their characters (role models and anti-role models), create a collaborative dictionary of values and engage in discussions about different worldviews.

The theorethical framework supporting Zora states that identity is not a monolithic notion, but a dynamic and complex concept composed by integrating diferent aspects and values. Zora is designed to support exploration of identity and values in a constructionist way, hand-on way. My hypothesis is that environments of this sort can enable people to integrate the different aspects of the self and to reflect upon conflicting values while putting them to test in a learning community.

Zora is implemented using Microsoft's Virtual Worlds research platform, a software development kit for the development of distributed multi-user environments.