Citywide Immersive Learning EnvironmentDivision of Talent, Labor, and Innovation

July 2010

Exploring the Instructional Potential of VGI

Historical Perspective

• Designed to explore how virtual learning environments can meet the needs of 21st century learners.

• Catalyst use case – Create a virtual space to replace district science fairs and make possible the first citywide science fair with guest experts serving as judges.

• Roadmap to expand to all subject areas within three years.

What is Virtual Governors Island

Functions in two capacities:• As an immersive learning environment that

supports the constructivist theory of learning by providing an environment that encourages discovery, creativity, and multiple pathways for learning.

• As a fairgrounds where students can demonstrate content mastery in a citywide forum

Modeled after Governors Island and Tweed Courthouse with a variety of venues for museum, event, and meeting spaces.

Instructional Role of Virtual Governors Island• Immersive Learning Platform – “Learning by doing”

activities can be designed for students to practice real-world skills that are difficult to recreate in real life (i.e. – Design a 21st century home emergency/fire escape system, design and simulate an ancient Egyptian community, design self-sustaining green island)

• Professional Development Space – Adaptable for all learners, providing multiple opportunities for communication, collaboration, socialization and independent exploration.

• First of-its-kind Assessment Tool and ePortfolio for personalized mastery-based learning experiences. SCORM compliance ensures compatibility with learning management systems.

• Meeting Space for teams who are in offices throughout the city: CFNs, Central teams, etc.

Exhibition Space in Virtual Governors Island• VGI is the first Department of Education virtual property

capable of hosting citywide student fairs affording schools in Brownsville the same visibility as schools in Tribeca.

• Unique virtual museum space in a variety of layouts and settings. Imported digital media (images, video, and webpages) and 3D objects simulating real or imaginary worlds within which viewers can immerse themselves and assume the persona of a historical, literary, or fictional character.

• Real-time virtual interaction with authors and content experts who can be invited to be guests in our television studio for talk shows, book talks, and other TV-style interactions.

Students as Constructors• Through the creation of real world objects in the

virtual world, students are given the ability to demonstrate personalized mastery based learning in an authentic and risk-free environment.

• An innovative medium that combines creativity and curriculum in student-designed digital 3D content.

• Exhibition space allows students to simulate science fairs, virtual museums, and display visual representations of their real-world projects.

• Students share or trade virtual properties or services with one another.