Islands of Enlightenment Projects
This service allows teachers and students to access our secure Virtual Environment Platform, known as OpenSim.
This platform allows teachers to use one of our virtual islands. We have 2 fully developed Islands for teachers to access with their students:
1. The Understanding the Holocaust Island - This island has virtual activities that correspond with the classic Autobiography, The Diary of a Young Girl: Anne Frank. Students are able to explore a virtual recreation of the Secret Annex detailed in the book. They also explore the themes and challenges that were faced during the Holocaust in World War II.
2. The Heir of the King - This island allows students to learn about Medieval History and Literature through a game based interface. They work through the Medieval Village to find out about Medieval Society and history.
Schools may also use a blank island and create their own building and learning adventures. Possibilities include creating artistic recreations, re-tell a story or create a mystery.
3. Learning by Design: Principles of Architecture Grades 6-12 This project will give students background in the Prairie Style Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House. Students will learn about design principles and then put them to use with their own digital creations. Tours of the Martin House can be arranged. 4. Teacher Gaming Academy Grades 7-12 Gaming is a billion dollar industry internationally. This project will help teachers and students develop content specific games for other students or schools to play. Games play can involve mysteries, historical recreations, quests, book studies, there really is no limit to the creative implications. 5. Project 5: Digital Art Museum Grades 9-12 This project is designed to let students create digital works of art using a variety of creation programs, i.e.. Google Sketchup, Blender, Wings3D, etc. The created projects will be showcased in the virtual environment where other students will be able to build art works or photography off of the other artworks. For examples of the program go to: http//islandsoe.weebly.com
Professional development opportunities provided for the distance learning software purchased. Please contact your Model Schools planner to set up dates.
District must be in the Distance Learning base (454.105.30, 454.105.40 and 454.105.53) OR the Instructional Media Resources base (514.100.10) to participate in this service.
- Develop, adopt, and implement a district technology integration plan
- Plan staff development sessions with the WNYRIC staff developer and require attendance by appropriate staff
- Comply with copyright agreements
- Provide Erie 1 BOCES with the name and telephone number of a district contact person and all information as required by vendor.
- Maintain the local area network
- Notify WNYRIC contact at least 90 days prior to renewal date if district is dropping this service.
The WNYRIC utilizes cost effective best practices determined by research that allows our experienced and trained technical staff to perform robust testing and support of the WNYRIC network in the area of security, infrastructure, energy management, virtualization strategies, disaster recovery and business continuity. Therefore, we are able to be a district advocate for vendor contract issues and aggressively negotiate contract pricing and performance terms.
Staff follow best practice s in order to provide necessary security as it relates to the most recent student, teacher and principal data security and privacy regulations.
Service Desk can be reached Monday – Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. by calling (716) 821-7171, 1-800-872-0780 or by email at servicedesk@e1b.org; or click HERE for our live chat. A representative will be available from 4:30 p.m. through 11:00 p.m. to assist you with calls regarding emergency situations. During all other hours and holidays, a caller will receive important information regarding coverage.