Home Bound Students Use Robot To Virtually Participate In LAUSD Classes
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Students with special needs Tuesday demonstrated how new technology allows for virtual participation within classroom and social settings.
According to Los Angeles Unified School District officials, the VGo system is a form of a robot that allows users to see, speak, change locations, ask and answer questions in different environments.
School officials learned the technology also allows for users to socialize with other students in real time.
Christopher, a gifted artist, was unable to attend school in traditional classroom settings due to his battle with fragile health.
Through the assistance of VGo, however, he now attends Verdugo Hills High School without having to leave his home. Each unit costs roughly $8,000.
Christopher was the first student in the LAUSD to use VGo, which allows him to never miss a class as he can virtually sign onto the system from any location.
Elijah, who also suffers from health related issues, uses VGo to attend an English class at Kennedy High School.
Destiny, who uses a wheelchair, depended on VGo to attend her classes on the upper floors of Fairfax High School when the elevator was temporarily broken.
All three students drove their VGo systems at the LAUSD board meeting to demonstrate how the technology works to board members.
