Journal 9 - Students Without Boarders.

Bickley, M., & Carleton, J. (2009). Students without boarders. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(3), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200911/

I chose this article because as an International Student myself I feel the need to educate children about issues around the world and to connect them with people from around the world is very important.

The article begins by explaining the difficulties that teachers face especially as you move up the grades, to get students to learn things that they feel like they will never use again. It is something which all teachers face and it is therefore their responsibility to make what the students are learning a positive and worth while thing which is of an advantage to the student as well as making an impact on them so they remember the point which is trying to be given.

The article then goes on to give examples of how the schools have participated in different projects and how they have connected with different schools. One surprising things that I found was the way that the students feel more inclined to do their work as they are doing the work for others to see and they are also doing things for other people. Many students don't want to let people down, especially their peers and so they will complete their work and they will also do better work if it is going to be seen by many other people.

The fact that the students can learn from each other and they can show pride about their own country to other students in different countries is also inspiring, along with the way that they can interact with these students through on-line classes and discussion rooms. Once that connection had been made it can be used in many other instances and it doesn't just have to used at that time, it can continue on afterwards.

Can this connection which is made in the classroom be taken away from the classroom?
I feel that as the students will make a connection with the other students, there is no reason why it cannot lead to them maintaining that connection once the projects are complete. They will make a connection which can be continued throughout their school life. There could be the opportunity for them to write to each other and build a stronger connection. It would be an opportunity for them to learn more about the other persons life and culture on a personal level and that way of learning is an invaluable experience.

How could this help those students who struggle with their work?

By doing this it would give students the opportunity to take pride in their work and if it was just a reason that they did not want to do the work because no one was going to see the work only a teacher, then they would take more pride in the work. It would also give the child something to look forward to and also something which they will get something back in return and not just a grade. Some students who struggle with their work just need another reason to do well and a reason for them to do well may be as simple as making them do it for another student.

From reading this article I think that it would be cool if a class could link up with a class in another country in Kindergarten and then follow that class all the way through school. They could see how each other grow and really make a connection, and learn a lot about other cultures from each other. Just a thought that popped into my head as I was typing!! :)