For today's program, I have chosen Classroom Bridges. It was recommended to me by a colleague in an online course. I have never met this person in real life, but the University of Toronto thinks their alright, so I think I will go for it.
First off the landing page looks welcoming, it showcases a collage of a lot of different sites from around the world and it promises to make classroom connections more accessible. For the past 5 years I have had my students participate in something called the 'Great Canadian Mail Race', where they write letters to a class in another province. It always feels exciting at the beginning of the year, but out of 30 students we have only ever received about 3 or 4 responses. What starts out as an exciting initiative, ends up fizzling by October. My other issue is that only includes Canada. I would love to help to encourage empathy amongst my students by having them connect with students their own age outside of Canada. One great movie I show every year is called 'I am Eleven', it's a documentary that follows several eleven-year-old students from around the world and shows their commonalities and differences. It's a great tool for fostering empathy. Can Classroom Bridges do the same? Let's see.
It looks like Classroom Bridges is less of a program than a platform to connect teachers who then do the connecting themselves. I was asked to fill out a Google form that including my location, time zone and areas of interest. Now I sit back and wait to see how Classroom Bridges connects us. I really hope they can find us an interested class somewhere in Asia or Australia. I have very little interest in connecting with a class in Ajax or New Jersey.
The site is filled with research findings touting the benefits of collaboration and connection. They even suggest that classes to projects together and share their success over a Google Hangout. So far I really love the idea. Now I guess I need to wait and see. See if I get any bites.
I will update this page if I do.
UPDATE
I just received an email from Classroom Bridges and I'm in. Thank goodness I was excepted. Not sure if anyone gets denied, but it still feels good. Anyway, now that I'm in I've been given access to their database of other teachers who want to chat. So far I've found a lot of interested in the U.S especially in the southern states and quite a few in the U.K. I guess the language barrier stops us from connecting a lot with Asia. Now to figure out who to talk to and why. The problem I find can often come up is the fascination with technology over genuine learning. This could be a great experience and would broaden my student's horizons, but I want to be sure I chose a good use for this technology.
Even something as setting up an email chain letter system with another teacher could be a start.
A debate could be more exciting if it took place over the web.
We could share our work on a common theme.
This will have to be handled carefully. It feels like it could be very special.
I WILL TRY IT... WILL YOU?
First off the landing page looks welcoming, it showcases a collage of a lot of different sites from around the world and it promises to make classroom connections more accessible. For the past 5 years I have had my students participate in something called the 'Great Canadian Mail Race', where they write letters to a class in another province. It always feels exciting at the beginning of the year, but out of 30 students we have only ever received about 3 or 4 responses. What starts out as an exciting initiative, ends up fizzling by October. My other issue is that only includes Canada. I would love to help to encourage empathy amongst my students by having them connect with students their own age outside of Canada. One great movie I show every year is called 'I am Eleven', it's a documentary that follows several eleven-year-old students from around the world and shows their commonalities and differences. It's a great tool for fostering empathy. Can Classroom Bridges do the same? Let's see.
It looks like Classroom Bridges is less of a program than a platform to connect teachers who then do the connecting themselves. I was asked to fill out a Google form that including my location, time zone and areas of interest. Now I sit back and wait to see how Classroom Bridges connects us. I really hope they can find us an interested class somewhere in Asia or Australia. I have very little interest in connecting with a class in Ajax or New Jersey.
The site is filled with research findings touting the benefits of collaboration and connection. They even suggest that classes to projects together and share their success over a Google Hangout. So far I really love the idea. Now I guess I need to wait and see. See if I get any bites.
I will update this page if I do.
UPDATE
I just received an email from Classroom Bridges and I'm in. Thank goodness I was excepted. Not sure if anyone gets denied, but it still feels good. Anyway, now that I'm in I've been given access to their database of other teachers who want to chat. So far I've found a lot of interested in the U.S especially in the southern states and quite a few in the U.K. I guess the language barrier stops us from connecting a lot with Asia. Now to figure out who to talk to and why. The problem I find can often come up is the fascination with technology over genuine learning. This could be a great experience and would broaden my student's horizons, but I want to be sure I chose a good use for this technology.
Even something as setting up an email chain letter system with another teacher could be a start.
A debate could be more exciting if it took place over the web.
We could share our work on a common theme.
This will have to be handled carefully. It feels like it could be very special.
I WILL TRY IT... WILL YOU?
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