Concept: Combine the best of the classroom experience with the best of the online technologies to create a true virtual school…the FIRST VIRTUAL SCHOOL
ONLINE: School online server and application (hosted at Daybreak) that users connect to, containing the environment, tools, classroom management systems, user information, and operating system
USER: School local software, downloaded user interface (created by Daybreak)
VOICE COMMUNICATIONS – Separate service
ONLINE: Voice-over-IP Ventrillo server (hosted by a variety of companies), about $0.40/user/month
USER: Voice-over-IP local software, Ventrillo client software downloaded for free.
A Model and the Vision
Exploration of a sample virtual school platform (plus discussion of equity, features, student engagement, current weaknesses of online learning):
Images to demonstrate this concept
IMAGE 1:
The School Campus, with virtual environment, school buildings, and a sense of place
Image 2:
Campus grounds, for a virtual school environment, where students can interact through individualized avatars
IMAGE 3:
In a real virtual school, students actually GO to their classes, not just log in to a bulletin board or electronic textbook
IMAGE 4:
Students gathering before classes, demonstrating some user interface options.
IMAGE 5:
Students gathering before class to visit with classmates, each avatar individualized based on the students’ interests and personalities–They have a real identify here.
IMAGE 6:
Teachers and students can interact in small groups, both inside and outside of class, to improve teacher-student relationships
IMAGE 7:
Student meet their teachers in a classroom, which gives a sense of learning, participation, relationship, and belonging
IMAGE 8:
During class, teachers have a variety of tools to present information visually and orally in real time. Not only do students interact with the teacher, but also they interact as a whole class and in small groups.
IMAGE 9:
If students need to research a topic, there is even a library.
Image 10:
Buildings can host classroom annexes, such as classrooms for math or language arts, just like in a real school building
Image 11:
If teachers or administrator need to present to general groups, they can use the assembly hall–or not. There are a lot of options for interaction.
