Journal #3 "Bring The World Into Your Classroom" NETS-T 2

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:
McDermon, L. (2010, September/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100910?pg=36&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom#pg36

Summary

The entire article was surrounded around the idea of bringing video conferencing into the classroom as a tool to teach. One of the two videoconferencing programs discussed was the "read around the planet". This program was really neat because basically two classes set up times to meet and share stories with one another. The stories could be anything from books to poems and skits--they could be published by authors or could be produced by the students. Megaconference, Jr. was the second program which sets up a twelve hour window between 7AM and 7PM where students at anytime can present to others. There is a lot of freedom in this program in that these students can devise any sort of presentation by incorporating one or many of the academic disciplines.

Q#1- The program at face value can be intimidating, how could you get started?
I think the best way to get started is by teaming up with another school specifically. Have every class that is going to participate in videoconferencing present or team up with the classes all form the same school. That way you are only experimenting with one school and the teachers could easily communicate with one another on what's working and maybe what needs improvement. It gives faculty and administrators the opportunity to perfect their skills with the program so the students can later interact with whomever they want around the globe.

Q#2- How would this program be successful globally?
This is one of my favorite articles I've read thus far. What I love about it is it gives students the opportunity to play with technology and learn in the classroom. That is to say, it's not something they need to do at home and there would, therefore, never be the case where a student who does not have access to a computer at home would never be able to participate. No student is ostracized because everyone gets to participate on campus.