EDUC 422 Blog #5

"Students Read Around the Planet"

"Read Around the Planet" allows schools to participate in videoconferencing (VC) in order to celebrate reading among elementary schools around the world. As of now, five countries are involved, including 1,900 elementary classrooms. The program is designed to give students and teachers the knowledge and experience needed to start their own VC program. Videoconferencing allows students to collaborate and participate in reading activities with other children. Classes us VC equipment, such as: multimedia, music, and document cameras to share their reading experience with one another.

I think this is a tremendous idea because it incorporates three major aspects of an effective classroom environment, which includes: multicultural awareness, technology, and reading. Students are able to connect with children around the world, using technology to participate and enjoy the act of reading. The program is helpful for teachers because it allows children to practice the art of videoconferencing to read stories and texts with other children, so as to prepare them to use the technology within their own classroom. Teachers are able to use this program as a trial-run and build upon it at their school site.

The "ISTE NETS" standard involving communication and collaboration fits this article, in that student's are collaborating with children from different classrooms, environments, cultures, and countries. Students are also constantly communicating while videoconferencing with reading partners. "Read Around the Planet" asks students to publish their work for others to read, while communicating ideas and information to an audience. This article completely sets teachers/students up to address the communication standard in technology, as well as reading standards for specific grade levels.

Lim, Janine. (2011). Students Read Around the Planet. Learning and Leading with Technology. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20111201/?pg=39&pm=2&u1=friend#pg39