Journal 2

Journal #2

 Learning without Borders Anderson, S. (2012). Feature: Learning without borders. Learning and leading with technology

 Summary: In the article learning without borders, we are introduced to a virtual international classroom exchange. The program pairs two groups of students, one from the US and one from China. Through virtual media such as skype the groups are able to interact and communicate. The purpose of this interaction was team building, and digital citizenship, project based learning and multicultural understanding. The cultural exchange was initially provided by a pair of 15 minute videos that the students were able to exchange. The students were very surprised to learn how alike they were after the experience. Additionally each group of students were able to learn more about the other culture and how to interact closely with students from another country.

 Q1 Do you think the class room pairings is the ideal way to join with another culture?

 A1 It seems that students in the US already to some kind of a “Buddy day” where older children (Third graders for example) will interact with a “Buddy” of a lower grade, perhaps a first grader. They teach each other and mentor on how to get a grasp on school and specific subjects. I feel that this pairing of one on one student time is very important to the growth of both students. In the future, I think each student should be paired with a foreign student instead of a room of students so that they can connect more.

 Q2 How do you feel that an international classroom exchange can benefit from technology now as opposed to ten years ago?

 A1 I think the advent of telecommunication technologies is more prevalent now than it was ten years ago. I can skype at a moments notice, and it feels like I am in the room with whomever I am communication with. It makes it much more interactive and allows me to get up to the business of meeting someone without having to monkey with a technology platform.