After a $3 million gift from an alumna, Albertus Magnus College is partnering with Dreamscape Learn, an immersive education technology.
According to a statement by the college, the gift will launch a “new era of virtual reality-enabled learning on its campus.” The gift is from alumna Carol Gutoski Ditkoff ’67 and her husband, James.
“The initiative will fully fund the implementation of Dreamscape Learn’s pioneering platform — making Albertus the first college in New England to deploy this cutting-edge technology on behalf of its students,” according to a statement.
The investment is the largest outright gift in Albertus’ 100-year history, according to a statement, and pushes the college’s Forever Albertus: The Centennial Campaign past $34 million of its $40 million goal.
“A hundred years ago, Albertus was founded by Dominican Sisters via a spirit of innovation, and as we enter a second century, Dreamscape Learn is the latest example of the College fulfilling its mission through responding to the needs of its students,” said Albertus President Marc M. Camille. “This partnership represents an extraordinary, exciting leap forward — through cutting edge, virtual reality immersive learning, we deepen our commitment to providing each and every Albertus student with valuable experiential learning opportunities. All of us at Albertus are profoundly grateful to Carol and James Ditkoff for their affirmation of the value and impact of an Albertus education and, so too, for their transformative gift that will impact generations of students to come.”
According to a statement, Albertus Magnus will name a newly renovated wing of the Hubert Campus Center as the Carol G. Ditkoff ’67 Immersive Learning Collaboratory. The space will house the Dreamscape Learn classroom and free roam pod, along with the existing Esports lab. Construction will conclude this summer with the virtual realty-enabled coursework launching in the fall.
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“I believe education should have no limits,” said Gutoski Ditkoff. “When we empower students to explore the farthest reaches of history, art, science and imagination — without walls or boundaries — we keep them excited and engaged with learning. My husband and I made this gift because we want every Albertus student to see not only what the world is, but what it can be.”
Dreamscape Learn is said to “merge advanced pedagogy with immersive technology and the emotional power of cinematic storytelling to transport students to extraordinary worlds where they step into the role of scientists, explorers, and investigators. From investigating alien ecosystems to solving complex biological problems, students engage in hands-on learning in core disciplines that build critical thinking and transferable skills. Early research from schools using Dreamscape Learn shows measurable results, with students nearly twice as likely to earn an A in biology compared with their peers,” according to a statement.
“If students are going to persist and succeed in rigorous courses that prepare them for what comes next, curriculum needs to excite them and motivate them to do the work,” said Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn. “By integrating cinematic, immersive learning into core subjects, the College is recognizing that delivering truly engaging programming is the first step toward students developing the critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills they will need for success in school and career. As the first institution in New England to adopt this approach, Albertus is setting a clear example for institutions across the region.”
