From: ed1@copenfund.igc.apc.org (Edwin H. Gragert)
To: dsevic1@peg.apc.org
Subject: Thanks for your leadership
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 95 20:51:31
CC: bcoppinger@peg.apc.org
Organization: I*EARN
Reply-To: ed1@copenfund.igc.apc.org (Edwin H. Gragert)To: The Honorable Don Hayward
From: Ed GragertDear Don,
Several months have passed since we talked via telephone about the I*EARN Teachers and Coordinators meeting to be held in Melbourne in July.
As you know, plans are developing worldwide to insure that the meeting is inclusive of the various parts of the world in which I*EARN is active. Based on what I have heard from teachers in many countries, they are doing whatever is within their power to participate in this very important event.
I have just returned from Washington, DC. I*EARN was asked to make a presentation to the participants in an annual conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Each of the 50 U.S. States sent 5 delegates for 3 days of workshops and plenary sessions on the role of technology in education--including telecommunications.
In my presentation, I stressed what we have learned in I*EARN: that it is the human connection that emerges from telecommunications interactions that lead to the most dramatic examples of student learning and empowerment.
As you know, there is an air of crisis in this country concerning financial cutbacks and the Department of Education is proving to be a major target for "economy." But, a constant theme running throughout the entire conference was that we must keep our eyes on the vision that a global citizenry demands an educational process and content that truly prepares our next generation to deal effectively with issues facing the planet--not from a national perspective, but with a knowledge that we are all globally interdependent.
As you make telecommunications available to students in Victoria, we in I*EARN look forward to working closely with you in our common goal to empower the next generation to use telecommunications technology as a tool to enable students to learn from and with their peers worldwide how we all are citizens on this small planet.
With its leadership and vision, Victoria is establishing the guideposts by which others will set their policies and directions.
I congratulate and thank you.
Ed Gragert
Director, I*EARN
Youth making a difference using telecommunications!