February 29, 2008 2:10 PM
Kids Teach Global Classmates
I came across a tremendously uplifting article by way of my friends over at the Blandin on Broadband blog about the use of broadband in education.
This article details the recent happenings of the fifth annual Megaconference Jr., an event sponsored by Internet2 that united 215 schools in 13 countries through two-way videoconferencing.
The event lasted for 12 hours, with a dozen schools serving as video jockeys for an hour, helping introduce videos that were produced by the kids to share with classmates from around the world.
I can't express how excited I am by initiatives like this. Talk about a way to open kids eyes about the fact that there are people just like them living around the world!
Can you imagine if we could realize a future where an event like this isn't a big-time once-a-year deal but rather an integrated part of the curriculum?
Instead of reading and regurgitating American history, kids could be producing videos and creating presentations that they share with other classes around the state/country/world. Those other classes could then, in turn, do the same and share information back. What better way to learn about Chinese history than talking with a classroom of Chinese students?
I'm a firm believer that one of the best opportunities for learning in the 21st century is to get kids engaged with producing content in original ways, like through making a video. And having the ability to share that content with others can only help.
Also worth nothing in this story is that the Minnesota school who's participation is profiled was specifically selected to serve as a video jockey host site because of their fiber network.
Yet another example of how those communities who've invested in 21st century broadband are reaping the benefits!