"Students are very proud of their squares, proud enough that they are going home and sharing them with parents. This home/school connection was an unexpected benefit of this project, but very welcome." More teacher ideas and reactions at: http://planetfestochallenge.blogspot.com/ I thought it was interesting that the kids were engaged enough to want to take the project home. I have also included a URL to a blog where a teacher has commented at length on the project (see above). We don't have any test-result feedback, but lots of notes from teachers saying how much they liked it and how engaging it is.
Around The World with 80 Schools Submitted by Silvia Tolisano
Broad age range All
Age range All age groups
Applications used Video Conferencing
Description Schools connect with other schools around the world through a short 5 minute video conference call. Students introduce themselves, share something special about their location or culture and ask a datacollecting question. Over 200 schools are participating.
Project URL or screenshot http://aroundtheworldwith80schools.wikispaces.com/
What challenges had to be overcome? Time zone issues to connect Eastern/Western Hemisphere participants.
What would you recommend to others? Students agree to come to school early or stay late, even meet on the weekend to make connections possible.
Reactions and outcomes
I' m starting to feel like I am really wanting to travel now
I think it is so cool that we are skyping with other countries The weekly Skype sessions with the 4th & 5th grade classes are the highlight of their week.
The Amazing Web 2.0 Projects Book
Terry Freedman (ed)
Page 13