Virginia Governor’s Luncheon ‘Global Classroom project’

Shropshire school children are learning more about their counterparts in America via the technology of video conferencing. Over the past month students from Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth have taken part in a ‘Global Classroom project’ with Colvin Run Elementary School just outside Washington DC in America.

As part of this innovative project both classes have had the opportunity to use cutting edge video conferencing equipment to enable them to communicate in a ‘real time’ allowing the students to interact fully with one another.

Shropshire Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about different cultures and make new friends overseas. It is also an innovative way for the students to develop their knowledge of new technology. I wish both schools all the success with their conference call to the Virginia Governors Luncheon.”

Sarah Godden, Head teacher for Oldbury Wells School said: “Video conferencing has brought the children’s learning alive and certainly enabled them to look at the world in a different way. It has helped the students to dispel misconceptions that they all had about each others cultures. This technology permits them to look at the world in a different way through first hand global collaboration. As both sets of children were answering various questions about their culture it has allowed them to further enhance their own cultural values.“

The project will culminate with both schools taking part in a three way video conference between the two schools and the Virginia Governor's Luncheon which is an annual event that takes place in Fairfax County on Monday 26 October. The students from Oldbury Wells School and Colvin Run School will be demonstrating how much they have gained from the experience.

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