Video Conferencing

Tonight was speechless! Thanks to Kyoko Jones, one of the head of the Japan Memorial Fund Project and her husband, along with Mrs. Katie James, Lakeview Elementary computer specialist, and my favorite teaching colleague, Mrs. Ann Foster, I was able to reconnect with some students at Lakeview Elementary in Lincoln, NE. It was incredible the opportunity to share with them the Japan night sky, what was on television and in the newspaper, and many of my experiences! Seeing the looks in their eyes when I showed them my Y10,000, the news of a typhoon approaching, and other numerous things made me realize, we truly are a global society, which brings me to Mrs. Bock and others in charge of Lincoln Public Schools. She asked me before the trip if I could think of any other reason to purchase a web cam other than my trip. At the time, I could not. After having the experience of visiting with other United States teachers and people from Japan, I now know that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
With video conferencing, our students can reach other classes, and there were MANY other teachers conferencing with their classes. Students in Lincoln, Nebraska could begin to learn about other places. Although Grade Four learns primarily about the United States, and would definitely benefit by conferencing with other students throughout the United States, I can see application for other classes such as Grade Two connecting with other children in the world regarding solutions to recycling, to Grade Three learning about what types of communities other children live in, from the wide open ranges of Wyoming, the back hills of Tennessee, to the metropolitan life in New York. I now know teachers with whom they could connect and make learning come alive!
As we listened to the ministers of the Japan government talk today, it made me realize, the importance of what thinking ahead can mean to our society.
As I sit here at 3:30 a.m., on whatever day it is now, listening to the howls of an approaching typhoon, I certainly hope someone reads this blog and listens to the words.
Good night, or actually good morning.
P. S. It was GREAT seeing my husband also! Thanks Tom for coming and I miss you, JJ and Grant!!!