This article is an inspiring one of
a teacher reaching outside the norms to create an environment of learning and
an understanding of global citizenship. Pernille Ripp, used a combination of
technologies with her fifth grade class to create a Global Read Aloud. The
idea behind the Global Read Aloud is that one book (in this case The Little Prince) can connect a wide
cross section of kids and help them understand that although they speak different
languages through sharing the same book they can share the same experiences and
a since of togetherness through literature. The idea was to accomplish the task over a
four week period bringing in new Technologies every week. Before beginning the project they received lessons
on how to communicate, blog, and comment on the internet, they then started the
first week with blogging. They also promoted
participation through Twitter and on wiki, towards the end they tweeted,
blogged, Skyped, used GoogleMaps, made videos and used Animoto. Through this they built a community of fellow
students from around the globe, including Michigan, Florida, Australia, Canada,
and Wisconsin. The students were amazed
at the ease of communication with other students from around the world. Pernille Ripp stated that “ The Global Read Aloud did something to
my kids, something that they will
remember the rest of their lives as they return to their hopefully battered
versions of the The Little Prince. It
brought us closer, made our classroom smaller, made the world smaller, and set
them on a path to believe in the power of a global connection through the use
of technology.”
After reading this article I was
impressed at the steps the teacher went to engage her class into the use of
technology through reading and sharing that experience, but what I found even
more inspiring was the enthusiasm of the students both for the project, and for
the book itself. I feel that the results
of this project go well beyond the introduction of technology into the
classroom. This project not only exposed
the students to technology but it also introduced or in some cases reinforced a
love of reading and literate to the students that will go on for a life time.
This article applies to the National
Educational Technology Standards for Students and Teachers in a number of
ways. For students it brought Creativity
and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, Digital Citizenship and
lastly, Technology Operations and Concepts.
For the teacher she was able to do the following; Facilitate and Inspire
Student Learning and Creativity, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning
Experiences and Assessments, and Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility.
Through a few simple steps and a little
innovation the teacher was successful in not only having her students absorbed
the lesson plan, but also in opening up a whole world for them, in such a way
as to leave them excited and hunger for more.
What a great example of educating, lighting the flame of knowledge and
given the students a taste and a hunger for more.
Ripp P. (2011/12). One Book to Connect the World. Learning & Leading with Technology .
39 (4), 32-33.
I completely agree that this is a good activity to introduce both technology and the power while combining it with reading.I believe that this is the type of activities we need to have within the class to help students become more "globally aware". The communication between students from around the country and even around the world. This is a great way to connect and have students learn other people's culture as well as how their world is different even within the U,S, Global citizenship and awareness of how others live is extremely important for students' to develop in school. Technology brings these students together to learn and develop new experiences and gain knowledge. Without this technology students wouldn't be able to develop these skills and experiences, which will lead to a more open mind and an awareness of the world outside there immediate environment. This is priceless for students to develop earlier so that they can also connect the experiences others have with their own experiences. As future educators, we have an obligation to our students to help them learn, develop, and grow as much as possible and to gain a new perspective on not only their world but the world around them.
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