The Vertex project

Abstract

Children invent imaginary worlds and enact scenarios within them on a daily basis as part of their imaginative play. Given the opportunity and the tools, what kind of worlds would children create for themselves within a virtual space, and what kind of learning can emerge within these playful, child-centered spaces?In VERTEX, young children inhabit an imaginary virtual world that they have designed and created using 3D modeling tools and net-based virtual worlds software. Crossing traditional subject disciplines and involving local and remote collaboration, the project demonstrates children's design and communication abilities above and beyond the expectations of the curriculum.