Creating a cyberspace playground at Runnymede
Public School
By Ian McMillan, The Villager, Toronto, December l995
The dodo disappeared from the world in the 17th century but has been discovered again at
Runnymede Public School - in cyberspace.
Dodo Land in Cyberspace is an electronic magazine introduced to the school by one of its
creators and British Columbia resident, Della Burford. Burford was in Toronto recently showing
Runnymede Public School children the program. The school is the first in Toronto subscribing to
the program.
Burford and Dale Bertrand decided to create Dodo Land in Cyberspace while participating in the
Swiftsure Arcade, an internet project underwritten by the British Columbia and Federal
governments to showcase creative activites including writing and visual art.
Together they put their web site together using a book they wrote and illustrated 18 years ago,
Journey to Dodo Land.
"It's a tremendous vehicle for communication. They (children) can take my stories and make
them a fantasy place," said Burford.
The internet program consists of four activity pods for children to explore.
- Island of Eyes, where the travellers can meet authors and artists and ask questions of them.
- Night Bubble, where they can interact with kids from around the world to write and illustrate
stories,
- Giant Flowers, an area to learn and share in environmental activities,
- Dragon Ship, rhymes, rap and sound games.
The Night Bubble activity pod is fast becoming popular with many children. More than 120 pieces
of art alone were created for it at Runnymede Public School. Burford said she will have a difficult
time selecting pieces of art for the electronic magazine. From those pictures children from all
over Canada will go in and create stories around them.
"This is a tremendous vehicle for communication. It allows children here (at Runnymede) to
share their work with childen from around the world." said Burford.
Runnymede student Annelise told the Villager the program is easy to use and "it's fun."
In addition to Dodo Land in Cyberspace the site is represented as a Dodo Land conference on
the Top Kids bulletin board in Vancouver. They have five hundred subscribers and 40 schools
using their bulletin board.
"We're really developing it as we get feedback," said Burford." "It teaches kids about the
environment and creativity and allows them to talk to children in other parts of the world."
Burford also showed Dodo Land in Cyberspace to Swansea Public School before returning to
British Columbia.
Return to Heros page.