Dave Allan Two : June 2004

#7 ....................... A Publication Of SchoolNet Global

In This Issue

We celebrate the Anglo-American Connection. Recently, children from St. Mary's Primary School in Folkestone UK connected with children who attend Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin Maryland USA. Both schools were using Apple's iChat audio/visual software and both had the video capability provided by iSight cameras. For the children at St. Mary's, it was their first experience with this technology. This event marked another step forward for SchoolNet Global as schools in 4 countries spanning more than 12 000 miles begin to form the core network using iChat technology to enhance their work in SchoolNet Global, thus paving the way for other schools all over the world to become members in the future.

Then we journey to Lymington UK where children from one school give us a unique glimpse at British Culture as seen through their eyes.

From the American Point Of View

Teachers, Merle Marsh (inset) and Colette Cotton

Because this was the first conference, the children introduced each other and asked general questions. They enjoyed learning about time and weather differences, and favorite subjects, television shows, school subjects, sports, and books. As they learned more and more about each other, they found out that they had many of the same interests. One of
these was the Harry Potter books. The American children wanted to know if the British had met J.K. Rowling. None had, but some of the children in the British school had been invited to London to meet the queen. The American children thought that was amazing.

One of the special treats was meeting the two stuffed bears, Valentino with the glasses and Smarty that the British children sent around the world. The bears even had their own passports. The American children were very interested in the traveling bears.

The American children wanted to know more about the White Cliffs near the British school. The British children explained that they were made of chalk and were eroding. One of American children, after the conference, asked if it was dangerous to live near the cliffs. They'll have to wait until the next session to find out. The Americans told about a National Seashore near their school. It is a barrier island with lots of wild ponies.

At the conference was the Head Teacher of the British school and the Head of the Lower School for the American School.

Celeste Bunting, Head of the Lower School at Worcester Prep said, "This is wonderful. It gives a whole new meaning to communication online. It won't be just email anymore." A British grandmother also greeted the Americans and told the children she was learning to use computers.

Later, Merle Marsh wrote:"Just wanted to let everyone know that the children loved the iChat. I had a mother call me this morning to say that her son talked about the conference all weekend."

Over To Britain

Teacher, Cotton and Headmaster, Bird with the British children.

In a letter to parents St. Mary's Headmaster, J. W. Bird wrote in part:

Contact Made (One short conversation for children....one giant leap for education)- Yesterday, 13th May was a very special day for St Mary's, as at 3.45pm. Mrs Cotton and a group of children set up, via computer, a live video conference with children and teachers from a school in the USA.

It was incredible to be able to talk and speak live to people on the other side of the world. It shows just how far our computing has developed and opens up great steps for education. In the future, if we want to learn French, we will be able to do this via a teacher in France!

Link Up with America

Children at Worcester Preparatory listening to a British youngster

After Mrs Cotton told me that I had been chosen to represent England and talk to America, I was overjoyed! I would be one of the first primary school pupils to do something like this! After some waiting, the day finally came, May 14th I forgot about it until my friend Tom, reminded me about it. We ran to the computer suite. Mrs Cotton was setting up for the video conference on iChat. While we waited we logged onto the other computers to download our prepared questions! We took turns asking questions of the children in America and waited for them to reply. I chose to ask what the weather was like. Then someone said it! I was next! I was quite nervous so I kind of slumped to the chair! Blood rushed to my head because I also had to make up a question on the spot! I asked, What is your favourite TV programme...Eventually the day came to an end. I spoke to some other children and asked what they thought about the whole experience. They felt a little embarrassed- so I wasn’t the only one! Overall the link up was brilliant.. Also, it was really cool that I was among the first pupils to do this. I hope I get another chance in the near future!

Our Link to America

Tom speaks to America

I think being able to talk to American Children is REALLY COOL, because it means that we can learn about America first hand from Americans. It also means that in future if we wanted to learn French or German we could learn from a real French or German teacher. It also means that we can make friends with people in other countries, whereas before we couldn’t have even talked to them. This is why I think us being able to talk to Americans is really cool, as it will open up thousands of new ways to learn!

Talking to Americaby Summer B and Millie G

Summer's Gran speaks to America

On Thursday the 13th of May 2004 we talked to America using an Apple laptop with a little camera on the top called an iSight. It was also a microphone. We talked to children from the age 7-14. My grandma came and talked as well. I think she enjoyed it but was nervous as well. It was 16:00 where we are but it was 10:30 am in at Worcester Prep in the USA. Smarty and Valentino Bear spoke to America as well. In America their year groups are not the same as ours. There is a years difference between them. We both enjoyed it a lot and hope to do it again we think everybody else enjoyed it to.

It was a little scary at first they wanted to know a lot about our white cliffs because it is unusual for them because we are the only place in the world exept a small part of France that have white cliffs. There is even a song about the White cliffs it starts like this: There will be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover. It is a very well known by the people on the coast of England. They (the American children)made us laugh a few times because every time someone said Bye they all shouted Bye together and whenever someone said Hi they all shouted Hi back.

Link Luck! Talking to America by Emily S and Samantha L age 9

I thought it was great to link up with America for the first time. We were all very nervous because it was the first time. However, when I got started I found that I wasn't nervous at all! The people we talked to were very nice and cheerful. We took it in turns to say our name, age and then asked the American children a question. Then they would answer us back one by one.I thought it was great and it was fun! Emily

On the 13th May 2004 we managed to link up to Worcester Prep school in America. We used an Apple iMac computer. We had to speak clearly into a microphone, at the same as being watched by a whole group of people here and in America! It was quite nerve-racking because you had to remember your questions. I hope I can link up again! Samantha

You simply must click on the image above!