========================================================================= Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 10:42:57 -0500 Reply-To: Journal of Virtual Reality In Education Complete Journal Sender: Journal of Virtual Reality In Education Complete Journal From: Dick Banks Subject: Starknet Campus Of The Future @Copyright DUJVRE, Suzi John S_john@sparc3.sparcc.ohio.gov 1994 Suzi John S_john@sparc3.sparcc.ohio.gov 46 Donut - StarkNet Campus of the Future CANTON, OH- Donut was developed in August 1994 by four Stark County, Ohio middle and high school students as an experiment in cooperation with StarkNet, a division of the Stark County School District. Described as the "StarkNet Campus of the Future," Donut is an on-line interactive learning community focusing on students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Shawn Arbogast (character name Turbo), from Osnaburg High School, Dave Robinson (Compuwiz) and Andrew Ertley (Q) from Lake High School and Justin Dobbs(Silence) from Lake Middle School are responsible for the concept and development of the Donut community. Their combined programming expertise made their dream of a virtual on-line educational facility a reality. System Operator, Bob Lukens (IDIC), and Internet Information Specialist Judy Birmingham (JudyB) are the adult technical advisors who assist the four talented students. All of the aforementioned make up the core of Engineers (the Donut equivlent of wizards). Arch Engineer, Suzi John (TecSec), computer technology secretary for the Massillon City Schools in Massillon, Ohio, manages, promotes and helps with furthering development of Donut. Students enter this virtual world initially as guests. Eventually they are assigned character names and account passwords to link to the community. The Bus Stop is the point of entry for all new players. From there they can wander the promenades and streets to various classrooms, a guidance office and many business establishments. Points of interest include the clothing store "You Wear it, We Sell It," The Donut Hole pastry shoppe, Donut Books, and the International Market complete with such food booths as La Vela Roja, Der Weinerschnitzel, Viva, The Taj Mahal and The Wok and exotic bills of fare. Donut also has a medical center with attending physician Dr. Kolache, The Daily Planet newspaper office, and the CompuBank. A sleep disorder center is being developed by a group of Marlington High School Students. While wandering throughout the community you might run into some of the regular Donut-ites. Dave_E is from Virginia and has developed the clothing store and a beautiful central park. Bluestreak, Mr.Data, Cally, Blade, Elvis, Byrnes, Stephen, Philos, Silence, Jeremy, Gatsby, Quest and others will be wandering throughout Donut at any given time. For entertainment you might even find them in the Rec Room or Blade's Roll-A-Rena, a complete roller blade and skate boarding arena managed by the colorful virtual bot, Rollin' Joe. The beautiful Cruller Tower dorms are south of the Bus Stop and presently are being occupied by nearly 50 residents. Plans are in the works to construct Croissant Tower, a twin. Suzi John S_john@sparc3.sparcc.ohio.gov 47 The Puget Sound Community School, lead by Distinguished_Prof, conducts classes online. Orca, Bird_Boy, Sorcia, Gorath, Maji, Dipsquat, Pulp, Autumn_Rain, Red_Petal, Grunge and Smurf reside on the third and fourth floors of Cruller Tower. By going south of the Bus Stop and going Under the street you can embark on an adventure that will take you who knows where. There are many rooms and corridors leading to various points of interest on Donut. The future of the Donut community looks bright as more and more students and staff members discover the benefits of on-line interactive learning. Donut, created by students for students, is accessible at bigbird.stark.k12.oh.us 7777. Development is being done now on classrooms and, teachers are being recruited to bring their classes online. Additional information can be obtained or comments can be addressed to S_John@sparc3.sparcc.ohio.gov. Author: Suzi John S_john@sparc3.sparcc.ohio.gov