Learning goes virtual in Vernon

VERNON — Wheeling down the hallway of Vernon Township High School, V-Go turns the corner and makes an abrupt stop in front of the gymnasium doors.
Muffled noises can be heard from the other side, beckoning V-Go to continue forward. V-Go pushes the doors open, glides through and stares, simply in awe of the hundreds of high school students wearing matching yellow shirts and cheering, “Vin-ny, Vin-ny!”
Vinny Ventriglia, a junior at Vernon Township High School, was recently diagnosed with Stage Four undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma and is currently receiving intensive medical care at the Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, N.J. Limited in mobile capacity and given a comprehensive treatment plan, Vinny will be staying at the hospital focusing on getting well. Even though he is not sitting in class alongside his peers, Vinny is not missing out. The Goryeb Children’s Hospital and Vernon Township High School have collaboratively devised a plan to bring the classroom to Vinny.
Meet V-Go, a robot that uses advanced telecommunication technology to establish physical and social presence from another location, regardless of distance, as a means to virtually interact with others. V-Go is remote-controlled via a mobile application that is linked on two tablet devices, one operated by Vinny and the other by Vernon Township High School. The software of the “app” is programmed to transport V-Go from one location to the next, utilizing command prompts that tell the robot to move forward, backward or to either side. So, whenever Vernon high school students see a flash of white whizz down the corridor, they know that Vinny will be showing up in class today.
To communicate with teachers and fellow students, Vinny is able to peer through the camera screen that is positioned above V-Go’s tall, sleek mobile structure. This digital camera “face” transmits crystal-clear video and audio communication via the mobile device app, and can even adjust its camera angle for enhanced views. The app controls V-Go’s physical movements and social interactions at any location that has a secure Wi-Fi connection. This robotic telepresence allows Vinny to “face-time” his friends and attend classes at Vernon Township High School.
Educational Liaison Joann Spera of Goryeb Children’s Hospital introduced V-Go to Vinny, gratis of The Valerie Fund at Morristown Medical Center.
To find out more information on how you can support Vinny, please visit: www.gofundme.com/vinnysfight.