Southwest Educational Development Laboratory Showcases Videotape on K-12 Telecommunications

"A Global Gateway for Kids" is the title of a new videotape on K-12 telecommunications prepared by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory SEDL) under contract with the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) of the U.S. Department of Education.

"The International Education and Resource Network (I*EARN) has a vision of making the world a better place by connecting kids using telecommunications," writes the producers of the videotape at SEDL. "This video highlights activities of kids in schools in New Mexico who are participating in various projects sponsored by I*EARN. These students communicate with people in Nicaragua, Argentina, Bosnia, and other countries around the globe."

"Through telecommunications, they are learning traditional skills and content in nontraditional ways," the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory reports. "I*EARN is preparing students to be global citizens and helping them learn that 'one kid can make a difference.'"

I*EARN is a global telecommunications network of over 1,000 elementary and secondary school sites in 25 countries. Through the network, students and teachers communicate via electronic­mail, on­line conferencing, video­speaker telephones, and student exchanges to implement educational projects. Students and teachers gain experience with the Internet superhighway, cross­cultural communication skills and global awareness, as well as an enhanced motivation for learning about their world.

On-line I*EARN student projects, designed by the teachers and students themselves, facilitate the learning of other cultures and encourage active group participation in improving the social and environmental conditions of the planet and its people.

I*EARN student projects are in four curricular areas: 1) environment/science; 2) social studies/economics/political affairs; 3) arts and literature; and 4) other & interdisciplinary. Project facilitators and curriculum mentors are available to assist students and teachers complete their on-line projects.

Because I*EARN works through educational institutions in each country, schools are assured of responses from international sites. In many countries, I*EARN works directly with Ministries of Education. In other countries, representatives from educational consortia oversee the I*EARN program and provide support to participating schools.

I*EARN is unique in that it also actively integrates the worldwide networks and projects of international development and youth-service organizations to enhance its global educational program.