September 2012

It is amazing how technology and the Internet can connect our students together in so many interesting and positive ways. Once-divergent cultures are now learning and working together. I have been reading about various global projects where classrooms around the world connect with one another via technology and share information in all sorts of unusual ways. One of the newest I have noticed is a scrapbook that is travelling around the world – the Global Classroom Memento Scrapbook. Each school it visits is asked to contribute in some way, and the Scrapbook has travelled from Australia to England, Romania and Cape Town to date. It is now returning to Australia to be showcased at the Australian Computers in Education Conference before continuing its journey around the world.

Equally interesting is a new project called Crazy Crazes that has been started by a Cape Town primary school teacher. This project invites students from classes around the world to give an idea of what is popular and fashionable in their part of the world. The goal is to provide students with a global view of what is happening elsewhere in the world, to share their experiences with others, to practice giving meaningful feedback to one another, and to learn about cultures and communities different from one’s own. There are already a large number of schools around the world who have signed up. Can you imagine what fun this must be in a classroom?

Another intriguing global project is the Dot Project. Its message is ‘Make your mark, and see where it takes you’. A teacher in Bangkok organised a Dots Around the World project using iPads and invited interested teachers and classes to collaborate. Thirty three classes across the world enlisted and the lovely dot art pictures from different parts of the world are being shared via technologies such as Twitter, Skype, blogs, email, gchat, Google+, YouTube, Slideshare, Facebook, Dropbox, Scratch and Flickr. What a creative way to connect students!

We cannot afford to not be part of the digital era. With this is mind e-classroom is surging forward and has introduced a new venture – the e–classroom online bookshop for primary school learners. This is now open! Log on to www.e–classroom.co.za to start shopping! In addition, our Term 4 Life Skills resource material for Grades 1 – 3 based on CAPS has been posted on our website. Do take a look.

We are indeed living in exciting times!

Serving you in education…
Natalie