Creating moments of learning

Yesterday Mr. Hossack's class of 5th graders got to take part in something new and cool. They had a video Skype call with a 7th grade class in Los Angles, California.

Barbara Barreda contacted me a couple weeks ago and we started planning. Of course planning didn't go to smoothly on our end. We are two days from ending school and the 7th grade class that was going to take the Skype call and questions was not even at school, but instead were running around Shanghai taking part in an Amazing Race that the teachers put together for them.

So, Mr. Hossack's class filled in and really enjoyed the conversation. It was interesting to hear the students answer questions like, "Have you ever been to the great wall?" A couple students have been there and of course what they remember is that you can rent a luge and slide down some of the steeper parts of the wall. I have been on the wall and there are places that you do have to crawl on your hands and knees to get up.

It was interesting though...I'm not sure what the students in L.A. were expecting for and answer but being able to ride a luge down the Great Wall probably wasn't it.

I find it fascinating the perspectives we all have. The Great Wall to most of our kids is like "So" it's only a 2 hour flight away and many have gone multiple times. It would be like living next to Hollywood.

I think I also have to mention that our students do a lot of traveling. Many of them have been to more countries than I have and most have attended multiple schools in multiple countries. They are third culture kids that have a different perspective on the world and travel.

Thanks again to Barbara and her teachers and students for allowing us the opportunity to cross oceans and create global connections.

[tags]Skype, globalconnections, 21st Century Learning[/tags]

Technorati Tags: Skype, globalconnections, classroom2.0, 21stcentury