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Thanks for stopping by. I'm Carol Skyring & this is where I talk about videoconferencing.
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Aug
27
Four Nations Classroom
August 27, 2008 | | 2 Comments
Yesterday at Elevate 2008 I had the pleasure of meeting Terry from the Four Nations Classroom program. The enthusiasm & passion of those involved in this program are definitely infectious!
This program brings together students from around the world, in a series of meaningful encounters, where they can build life-long relationships, while learning about culture, language, and the story that binds their countries together today and for many years to come. The thoughts underpinning the program:
We live in a global economy, where distances are becoming increasingly meaningless and the linguistic and cultural barriers that once held us apart are now seen as stepping stones to new and creative partnerships. The leaders of tomorrow are going to be those students today, who have the skills and mindset to see the world’s cultural diversity as an asset to be celebrated rather than a liability to be overcome. It is the role of the schools and educators to provide their students with opportunities to go beyond the four walls that traditionally constrain our education system and create familiarity with what was once foreign and understanding to what once brought fear.
Through the innovative blending of multiple technologies in a synchronous and asynchronous classroom setting, each group of four schools has an opportunity to engage, learn and build relationships that will last a lifetime!
Read more about the Four Nations Program.
Comments
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This is really nothing new, I fear. I think the problem that we are experiencing with such types of innovation in the classroom is that many teachers never valued these types of learning opportunities in the first place. They were content with closing their doors and limiting students’ perspectives by the two covers of the textbook. Now, with the addition of technology-facilitated global opportunities, there are two hurdles that must be dealt with by teachers: (1) attitudes/pedagogical beliefs, and (2) the technology.
This certainly sounds like another great opportunity for teachers and students!
Thanks for your thoughts and insight on our project. Our biggest challenge is creating on-going global classrooms in the Western 9:00-3:00 school paradigm. It’s one thing when you live in Pakistan and can’t wonder out past nightfall but our biggest challenge is getting schools in developed countries, Australia, Canada, USA, Britain, to make time after 3:00. Our partners in the developing world jump at the opportunity and bend over backwards to make things happen. I wish I could say the same for those who had every opportunity at their findtips.