Virtually Crossing Cultures- Video Conferencing 2 Connect Global Youth: Tony Muro Phillips

(12/05/2008)

10:31

[Standby] The host is placing this Live Blog into Standby Mode.

11:43

Glogal Nomads Group is AMAZING!

Friday December 5, 2008 11:43

11:44

Established in 1998, the Global Nomads Group (GNG) is an international NGO that creates interactive educational programs for students about global issues. It was started by 2 college students! GNG’s educational programs include (1) four types of videoconferences — The PULSE, Currents, Innovations and Rapid Response — where students learn about and discuss subjects with their peers from around the world in live, facilitated sessions; and (2) videos and learning content on a variety of international issues relevant to teachers and students.

Friday December 5, 2008 11:44

11:46

GNG philosophy- STUDENTS ARE THE LEADERS! Teachers/Facilitators are GUIDE on the SIDE, not SAGE on the stage-

Friday December 5, 2008 11:46

11:49

they have done programs such as connecting U.S. students to Uganda students- the U.S. students were so inspired by the connection, they did fundraising (sold cookies) for two years to raise money to build a school for the Uganda students (their original one was destroyed in war) That's alot of cookies!

Friday December 5, 2008 11:49

11:50

landmines,immigration, hurricane devastation, genocide...

Friday December 5, 2008 11:50

11:50

...just some of the topics that GNG covers

Friday December 5, 2008 11:50

11:53

To participate in the GNG program, you must have: Videoconferencing Equipment- compatible with Polycom (can't use Skype, etc.)

Friday December 5, 2008 11:53

11:53

Three ways to participate
1. Become an Interactive Ambassador school
2. View Only
3. Web streaming

Friday December 5, 2008 11:53

12:00

Next Semester topics include looking at the Global Economic Crisis- will include economists & mathmeticians to help explain to students why it's happening

Friday December 5, 2008 12:00

12:01

audience question; hhow do you deal with time differences when conferencing students from different countries?

Friday December 5, 2008 12:01

12:02

usually hold them very early in the morning- usually works. Sometimes, schedule a special "field trip" to get kids together outside of the regular school day-

Friday December 5, 2008 12:02

12:03

audience question: do you provide on-site PD workshops?

Friday December 5, 2008 12:03

12:03

Yes- GNP will come to your school & do PD with staff

Friday December 5, 2008 12:03

12:05

What's the cost to participate? It varies depending on the program you choose- some of them are actually free (there's currently a religion/culture free program)

Friday December 5, 2008 12:05

12:06

There are also scholarships that GNG can provide to your school

Friday December 5, 2008 12:06

12:06

How many conference sessions are in a typical program?

Friday December 5, 2008 12:06

12:07

It varies- depends on the program. Some are 2-3. Some are 8-10 or more

Friday December 5, 2008 12:07

12:10

You can watch archived student conference sessions at the GNG website!

Friday December 5, 2008 12:10

12:10

Tony asks the audience: What are your hopes & visions for using video-conferencing in your classroom?

Friday December 5, 2008 12:10

12:11

answers: A great way to show students the VALU of learning another language- many students don't feel that they need to know anything but English

Friday December 5, 2008 12:11

12:15

answer: a science teacher thinks it would be nice to see different parts of the word that they are required to learn about & people who actually WORK there

Friday December 5, 2008 12:15

12:19

Anya Ridley, an English Biologist says that Vision is not a Sense, it's an INTELLIGENCE all its own! There's only so many times we can "say" to our students things like "there are people suffering somewhere else in the world!" If they don't SEE it, they cannot begin to truely empathize. And when I say "see it" I don't mean a google still image from last year. I mean LIVE interaction with the people you are talking about. Students need to know that what they are learning about now, matters NOW!!!