Today all the phase 1 and phase 2 Global classrooms teachers gathered here. We all learnt a lot about the Global classroom and how it works. We were all in one group for the start of the day and then we were seperated into phase 1 and phase 2 groups.
Bill Coppinger
did the opening speech. He talked about the schools going forward because of
us being here. He said that teachers should look at school as a place of learning
more than a place where they have to supervise.
Second speaker was Gideon Goldstein. He talked about four issues that need to be considered by teachers considering joint telecommunications projects with schools overseas.
They were:
Chris Feil from the Apple Computer Company came to talk to us about what sort of hardware and software we would need. He gave a presentation on the overview projector that consisted of:
The Apple Computer company started in 1982. It has passed the AS3902 quality standard on all of it's equipment. They are involved in the Partnership for development scheme which they have invested $115 million in this program. The Apple Company see themselves as committed to education and offer special prices and account programs for schools.
Bruce Rigby Talked about reasons why you should connect to the Internet and benefits we will receive.
Benefits of connecting.
By Grant Smith.
Bill Coppinger opened session two by telling us that we can have full Internet access for us for the next couple of days. He told us about global classroom. Bill showed us some information on the overview projector that showed us what will be happening with Global Classroom for the rest of the year.
In a week after school starts we will be sent a manual about pegases. The second semester of the Global Classroom Project is devoted to the exploration of project topics/themes:
Bill explained what we would need to be on the online to the Internet such as the modem etc and how much it would cost all up. This session would have been good for phase one schools because most of us phase two schools are already online.
By Grant Smith.
Bill Coppinger did some basic teaching on the Internet at session three. He showed us things like how to use the search facility on the Internet that enables you to find titles with that text in it.
After that Andrew Hocking came in with the Phase one schools. A representative from each Phase one school went out the front and said a little bit about where their schools at with the Global Classroom Project.
Bill put up a list on the overview projector about the Phase one expectations:
By Grant Smith.
The Whalesong Foundation
While talking to the Victorian State School teachers involved in the Global Classroom Project, Bill Coppinger took the time to explain about the creation of the Whalesong Foundation. The idea behind this non-profit organisation is to foster telecommunications in schools. Bill explained that in the past there used to exist whale communication channels that enable whales to communicate from the Antarctic to the Aleutian islands using a 20mhz band. This worked along the temperature and current layers of the ocean environment. The idea of the global communication system in the oceans is fantastic. It is hard for humans to communicate globally but here in the oceans was the very thing that humans have been trying to create. Guess what happened to the whale channels! Yep! Human activity in the ocean has been on the same 20mhz wave band. Hence, humans have destroyed the whale communication channels and probably have only left coastline channels, for example, along the east coast of Australia: even it is that long.
The Whalesong Foundation's aim is to establish, in human terms, a network that will enable messages from an isolated school to find an answer somewhere on the globe. By establishing the communication channels then humans will be able to effectively communicate in a way that should lead to closer global cooperation and understanding.
The Lunch today was worse than Saturday. The sandwiches were to healthy and the drinks were grose (horrible). The drinks consisted of mineral water, orange juice, coffee and tea. Couldn't we have had Coke? It would have been much nicer. One good aspect of lunch was that we could have as much cake as we wanted. Today's Lunch scores a 3!
Delegates at the I*EARN One world conference visited Broadford Secondary College, the home of I*EARN Australia. Buses arrived from Queens College at 10:30am, and guests were welcomed by Mr John Patterson, Principal, and Mr Ian Parry, Information Technology \Co-ordinator.
Guests were treated to a tour of Broadford's computer facilities, and were able to send E-mail messages with Broadford SC's new resource software. Many people took the opportunity to send e-mail home, while others logged on to their own E-mail accounts.
The first Computer that Broadford Secondary college used to access the internet was on display, showing that it is not necessary to have vast resources to use I*EARN. Demonstrations were also held with the school's Quicktake Camera, for those interested in photography.
Many displays were set up, to show international visitors what Broadford students have been involved in, and the high standard of work that is produced. These displays included samples of Year 12 Work Requirements, and student publications.
Guests were treated to a delicious lunch of sausages, hamburgers, salads and desserts. The lunch was very well received, and many people came back for seconds, thirds and fourths!!! (the lunch was much better than the food provided at the conference).
Each country participating in the One world Conference had the opportunity to plant a tree in the Broadford Secondary College grounds. This ceremony was held after lunch. It is hoped that this will become an annual tradition at each I*EARN Teachers conference.
Visitors were able to wander down the street in Broadford to look at the local shops, many taking the opportunity to buy some Australian Vegemite, or items from the craft shop. The Broadford and District Historical Society put on a display, to show some of Broadford's history, before departing for the Mitchelton Winery.
The trip from Broadford to Mitchelton on the bus provided an excellent opportunity for the international guests to relax, talk amongst one another, and talk to their Australian Hosts. The International guests sampled wine from the Mitchelton Winery for $2 and looked at the sights from the tower at the winery.
On the way back to Melbourne, Aaron O'Shannessy, and Robyn Mumberson, from Broadford Secondary College, taught the Chattanooga Ladies some Australian slang.
The Chattanooga Ladies had to leave for Sydney this afternoon and were farewelled at Broadford.
The day was enjoyed by all who participated.
By Ben McMahon