Journal 8 NETS-T 1

I read an analyzed an article relating to technology in education, and I provided a summary/response to it, along with proposed questions and answers.

Newkirk-Smith, M. (2010-2011). Cross-continental collaboration. Learning and Leading, Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-december-january-2010.aspx

Summary:  Mishele Newkirk-Smith is a professor who developed a yearlong international project for her environmental science students.  The project was called Fire and Ice, and allowed her students to discuss environmental issues with students from England, Canada, Brazil, and Burkina Faso.  The online project allowed her students to get to know people in these areas, share information, and try to find a solution to environmental issues.  After quickly learning how to use the computers, the students learned about the people they were connecting with.  Through this project, they got to see that, although they come from very different places, they have similar environmental issues.  At the end of their project they proposed solutions to each other, and gave feed back.  The students were very engaged in this creative project.

Q1:  What are other ways in which this project can benefit the students?

A1:  Through this project the students learned about environmental factors in different regions.  Having contact with people around the world can benefit the students in many other ways.  One, for example, is that they are learning about geography, seeing on the map where their new friends are from, and being able to relate information to that area.  They are also learning computer skills, practicing basic navigation skills as well as different tools.

Q2:  What other topics could students learn about through this type of communication?

A2:  This project was specifically focusing on environmental factors in different parts of the world, but the possibilities are endless.  Students could inform each other about current events that are happening, celebrations, the economy, politics, language, culture, or rites-of-passages to name a few.  The lesson can be specific to the course, and can be manipulated in any fashion.