A crash course in changing the world.
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Calling all teachers. I just wanted to share with you this link from an article in the Guardian Online newspaper. It tells of a fabulous initiative set-up by the equally fabulous Professor Sugata Mitra (of "H*** in the Wall" computers fame). If you are not aware of his work then I also implore you to find out more about his amazing projects.
This project is beautiful in it's simplicity. I quote:
"When I last visited India, I asked the children what they would most like to use Skype for. Surprisingly, they said they wanted British grandmothers to read them fairytales."
Here's the link to the article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/mortarboard/2010/mar/16/reading...
and a related article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/16/slumdog-millionaire...
I find it hard to read these articles without getting emotional. It is such a simple but massively powerful thing to do. The impact, of course, for the children living in poverty in these Indian slums is huge. Those of us who were lucky enough to be read to when we were children now realise what a formative activity it is. We learn knowledge, morals, ethics, values, how to listen, to question - we learn how to learn!
I see that he is now looking for maths and science teachers to participate. The potential is massive.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Simon
We have projects!
There are now six projects outlined in the wiki -- it's time to sign up and get started! Here's a little taste; more information, timelines, and signups are all on the wiki. What looks good to you? Join in!
1. EVOKing in the Classroom
Project Goals:
* Create a curriculum package that teachers can use to run an EVOKE-like experience in their cla**** (with or without access to the Urgent EVOKE site).
* Assist teachers who want help as they run it for the first time.
2. Joint Paper: Social Innovation
Project Goals:
* Research social innovation topics.
* Prepare a paper (or other product) to educate students about social innovation.
3. Classroom Unconference
Project Goals:
* Create a template for running a classroom unconference (on social innovation?)
* Distribute the template to interested teachers.
4. Barefoot Doctor
Project Goals:
* Develop a protocol for teaching people about nutrition and personal preferences.
* Host an online clinic for interested people.
5. Virtual Evoke
Project Goals:
* Create an EVOKE space in Second Life.
* Educate visitors to the space about EVOKE.
6. Project GameChanger
Project Goals:
* Create an open-source board or card game with an online component that teaches players about food security, climate change, social justice, collaboration, and tolerance, customizable by geographic location.
* Promote the game to teachers.
* Assist teachers who want to use the game in their classrooms.
Don't see a project you like? Sounds like you'd better propose one! Just add it to the list on the wiki.
Let's get stuff done!
HI Gang,
I m off to LunaCon in rye NY ...panelist on some future sci/tech panels.... will be back on line late Sunday night/ Monday morning.
I am psyched about getting Virtual Evoke in SL going...News on that front is we attracted the notice of Linden Labs, Claudia L'Amoreaux the Education Programs Manager at Linden Lab contacted me through Evoke. So I am in contact with her….
As far as the build is concerned… I like to pull the coders and 3-D artists from the Evoke pool of people if we can but if we can’t I can talk to my industry contacts.
I shall send a note to the Evoke staff on this as far as permissions to pull feeds for update screens.
And that’s it for now….everyone have a great weekend…
Namaste
KDV
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