Why Do This Again In 2008 - 2009?

[Sharon Tonner]

Why do Voices Of The World Again in 2008-2009? Why be a member of the VOTW community? Is it to just be an observer and take or is it to be a participant? What do you want to get from this project? What do you want children to take from VOTW?

[Sharon Tonner]

Voices of the World exceeded my expectations. In June 2007 I had the idea of connecting together using voices rather the the written or typed word as this appeared to be the main and sometimes the only means of communication. I knew this would be a huge challenge and I think I managed to succeed through enabling our children to connect, communicate and share. Hopefully, along the way they learnt some new words in a different language but most importantly they developed an appreciation for all the wonderful languages, accents and dialects around the world. I also believe that this type of learning provided meaningful contexts, purposeful learning that was engaging and motivating and enabled the four walls of the classroom to be extended to a global community.

What did I get from this? A huge network of like-minded people who were eager and willing to take on the challenges that I set. A great sense of achievement that I was making a small contribution to the lives of children around the world. A deeper sense of what it means to connect thus changing my view of what connecting and collaborating means.

This year I am going for true collaboration through outsourcing. What do I mean? Well, I feel that a lot of your are very creative and have ideas too and why just take what one person has when many can contribute to enable true collaboration.

How will this work? I was reading a book about outsourcing and was inspired how many successful companies were taking their success from working with others where the sharing of knowledge and ideas allows all to learn from one another. Take the website/company Threadless Each month thousands of people around the world submit designs for t-shirts free of charge. The online community then vote for each t-shirt and the winning design is printed. These t-shirts sell all over the world and the designer reveals in the knowledge that a huge community of people voted for his design.

So the plan for VOTW is to change the monthly tasks where I will still give an example of what I think might be suitable but a monthly forum will be set up where members (educators) can submit their suggestions. At a specific date, entries will be closed and the members can then vote for the one they think is best - democracy.

Now, only one is chosen but we should learn lots of new ideas along the way rather than only one from myself. The winning member will then be in charge of the task where the instructions and questions are given to that member. I will still gather the embedded codes for the wikispace as I would like to keep that area a specific design.

Web 2.0 is not just about producing but collaboration where 'We-Think' is much better than 'I-Think'.

[Sharon Tonner]

Thanks Alan, sure stay as an observer as this is not a closed environment.
Sharon

[Barbara Bashour]

I think this is an excellent idea. I may not ever be one to submit an idea, but I know that I'll benefit from what others do contribute. I agree with the basic concept of "We-Think". You get a thumbs up from me on this one.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my connection with VOTW and with you personally through a myriad of emails explaining why I'm late or why I can't do this or that. I have learned so much!

[Marilyn Doore]

I found VOTW by accident really. I was searching out global connection type projects and found this drilling through other sites. What I found and saw though made me immediately want to join and be a part of this! The next day I shared the site with my sixth graders and they were hooked. Since then, a week or two ago, not a day goes by when they ask about when we get our next task and when can we see more of the Vokis from other kids.

I would like my students to learn how easy it is to communicate via the Internet. I would like them to hear children's voices from around the world and be a part of a global community. I want to have my students realize they are not isolated, the world while physically large is just an email, phone call (SKYPE anyone?), a text message away from anyone anywhere in the world. I truly believe that the connections one makes with others enriches our lives. The Internet has made things very easy to achieve this.

There are so many ways to connect globally and who knows what our students today will take away from this? We can't wait for the other tasks this year and I like the idea how you plan to go forward with deciding the tasks.

[Sharon Tonner]

Hi Marilyn, it in a way amazes me how people find this project but then I reflect on the web 2.0 tools and remind myself why I did not place the project in a closed network, I wanted to share with others.

The project should run as follows - task at beginning of month, everyone gets creative and sends embedded codes to me then last day of month I release all the contributions on web.

I am a little behind due to my new job but all will be going to plan now that I have organised the site.

Glad you like it and here,

Sharon

[John Johnston]

Hi Sharon,
As I am leaving the classroom at the end of this week I'd like to continue as an observer. I don't think there will be anyone at Sandaig who will carry on the project, i had quite a few problems working round the limitations of our network and filters, not something I'd ask someone else to do.
I hope to act as a 'recruitment officer' for the project, once I get to grips with my new post.
I'd also be happy to keep the votw map going if that is wanted,

[Sharon Tonner]

Oh that is great you are still around and yes to the map if you have time. I'll let new recruits know to get in contact with you regarding this.

thanks John,

Sharon

[Lisa Stevens]

Whitehouse Common really enjoyed being part of VOTW last year - only sad we missed a few tasks as I was off - the kids may forgive me in time. Highlights included making Voki, y5 drawing Spanish pictures for OneTrueMedia- and who can forget the singing - I certainly won't forget 75% KS2 staying behind after assembly to 'sing' the Spanish national anthem?? I'm not sure any Spaniard would've known that's what it was but lack of tunefulness was made up for with their gusto!!

this year we'd like to learn how to use more tools, make more links with the other schools involved, and use our voices lots ;o)

lisaxx

[Doug Stoltz]

As the director of a small private school in Indonesia, one task that I have made a priority is to drag my school into the 21st century. But a year ago many of my staff were unfamiliar with Web 2.0 technologies. So last year I found a grade 4 teacher, Niniek, who seemed eager to learn and I assigned her to VOTW. She did a great job, learned a lot and I used her as an example for other staff to follow. And it's catching on, technology is being integrated now, and staff development in technology has been very successful, partly due to the kick-start from VOTW. I want to exploit the momentum on staff development; that's why we're in for a second round of VOTW.
I can't speak first-hand on the effects of connecting globally on our kids; perhaps Niniek will.

[Eva Rekkedal]

Dear, Sharon!
I/we will definately contribute every single month (that's our intention) - I'm so happy that this excellent project will go on - and my teachers/pupils are thrilled about it, too!
Very good idea to "expand" the collaboration between us adults in the project. This will make it even greater - development is the key to even more success;o)

To John: The map is very important for our VOTW-project - it visualizes how global we are (and can be), both to our pupils and to the rest of the world - if you're not able to find time to this work, could you please teach one of us to set it up (I'll be happy to take over, if you prefer/need someone).

To Sharon again; just want to inform you that I've been asked to present this project to a great audience in February 2009 (Bergen, Norway). Of course I said yes immediately! It's a big conference of Education (with a specific look into ICT and collaboration). I'll also have to bring in one of our participants from last school year (I've picked a 10 year old girl) who will say a little bit about how they worked/liked this kind of project (of course she'll end our presentation by saying goodbye in 13 different languages plus one (she can also speak swahili - her mother is from Tanzania)) .
It'll be perfect to tell our audience that the project is still running!

Ah, by the way - I'm going to Ischia (Italy) next week - on an eTwin seminar for ambassadors. Maybe I can get some new recruits to our project there...
Best regards, Eva R. Norway

[Sharon Tonner]

Sounds like you are busy as always and promoting our good cause. Can't I come back over and do it with you so I can have an excuse to come to Norway again - I wish!

Take care,

Sharon

[Maddy Shapiro]

This year our school theme is One School, One World. This project fits in perfectly to our celebration of diversity. I look forward to participating on a monthly basis and to introducing the children to the similarities and differences of others around the world.