I will definitely check that out. Let me see if I can describe a typical Before and After scenario. At-risk kids (think potential dropouts) are not highly regarded, even by the "educational professionals" entrusted with their care. I educate a special group of teachers who DO care and nearly burn themselves out trying to help them overcome circumstances, damage and shortcomings that none of them chose to have. Unfortunately, as part of their dysfunctional family syndrome, they do not have the tools and skills to "raise themselves by their own bootstraps" so we have in education a things called "Compensatory or Alternative education programs." Most are detestable. Kids sitting in front of "blue books" (workbooks) plowing through them in a study hall like atmosphere - just to fill in those "credits" needed for graduation. Why would kids drop out when school has become basically drone work, knowing you are in an environment where people wish you would just "go away - ANYWHERE but here"?
Imagine, if you will: In this new alternative program, you would enroll as Cosmic Cadets (or whatever). They would have an identity, a code of behaviors, etc. and RESPECTED for being who they were. They would be assessed to see what their strengths, talents, aptitudes, and needs were (as their individual curriculum would be modified to match these) then they would get their Space Quest Headsets and enter the academy where, like with EngageVR.io they would be in a virtual meeting hall and get their basic instructions sprinkled throughout their first course together, along with VR experiences to excite and engage them. At some point - say a month or two later - they would after a few flying experiences, would get their first ship, just like we all did in ED, which they will have a basic bank of currency to decorate as they see fit. Then Cosmic Cadet Flight School where they learn not only about their ship, but also will have to begin to map out their experiences (file a flight plan) and in that utilize reading, math, etc. And it goes on from there....does this help flesh out a picture?
Imagine a bit more: They will have a menu of assignments, again based on their personal profile. Some will be in small groups, the whole class, but a lot individual learning and experiences. They can "park" their ship, and climb aboard the Google Earth transporter and explore the planet, given some challenges, etc. Then back to their ship and travel to Planet Ardex where they will again park their ship and enter a VR experience about Ardex's Civil War, where the Confederacy decided it would have to fight for its human slavery and right to be independent in their secession from the North, also called Yankees. Then back to their ship to fly to Planet Rubiclan ( a challenging flight where many essential skills would be needed to get there (reading, math, planning, team-building, gauging the limits of their ship against the trip requirements itself) and there they would enter another learning experience based on needs, etc.
They would always have their own ship, title, and code of ethics, and - of course - headsets. Imagine instructors who would guide them through this experience, understanding the psychology of at-risk kids (my book on this is
SHADOW CHILDREN ) and knowing how to do ongoing assessing to always match instruction and learning experiences to the kids's strengths and needs. [I am a big believer on building on kids' existing interests, strengths, talents, and abilities as well as their "needs" which today's school see as "deficiencies."
THIS is my dream, my answer to the serious dropout problem which handcuffs kids forever. $10K a year less in income, costing communties about $300,000 over their lifetime and filling our prisons, where the populations are about 75% school dropouts - and one of the biggest issues they have is illiteracy.
We can fix this! Given the project funds and the right brains we can plan and build this. (you can tell I am not excited lol) Sorry to go on and on. It has been most frustrating not to be able to reach anyone at Frontier to at least hear me on this. So I thank you all for listening.