Journal 3

EDUC 422 Arlynn Cook September 28, 2010

Journal #3 “Bring the World into Your Classroom” NETS-1 and 2

McDermon, Linda. (n.d.). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and leading with technology, Volume 38 No. 2 (September/October), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100910//Pring_submit.action

Interactive video-conferencing is being used in K-12 classrooms to bring a greater world experience to students.  Conferencing can be used to connect with other classrooms in the United States or around the World.  It can also be used to visit educational destinations such as museums. Linda McDermon in her article tells of two programs that have benefited students, RAP (Read Around the Planet) and Mega Conference Jr. Both programs have brought students from different parts of the country together to collaborate on projects and exchange ideas.

Q1: How do these types of programs benefit students?

A1: These programs give teachers the tools to incorporate hands-on multicultural learning.  It fosters understanding and gives students the opportunity to meet and engage with different children they might not have ever had the chance to interact with, especially with students of other countries. Utilizing this type of technology brings students into the 21^st century and provides the awareness of what is possible through technology.

Q1: How many school districts or classrooms take advantage of the technology tool?

A1:  It is hard to know how widespread video-conferencing is.  As with many states and school districts there isn’t an all encompassing policy that includes all programs in each school within each district.  Most of the time affluent areas have access to technology more that lower achieving areas.  The Federal and State institutions that are responsible for curriculum need to investigate the benefits of such programs and facilitate implementation.  There is several free software options available to get a video-conferencing program started.  It is important to integrate the use of technology into the classroom as a norm instead of random pilot programs scattered throughout the United States, and unfortunately most are found in affluent schools.