Borderless Learning:

Using Technology to Connect Classrooms Worldwide

ASCD Annual Conference

Orlando • March 15, 2009
Vincent Pienaar, Helen Crompton, Jonathan Charney
 Helen Crompton

VIF educator from Manchester England.

• Teaching experience in England
• 13 Years
• Pre-K -University

Mainstream and Special Education

• Teaching experience in North Carolina
• 3 Years
• 5th Grade

• Aim
• I wish to bring classrooms to life with culture. To open the students minds to
new perspectives; creating excitement and tolerance to cultural differences.
 Vincent Pienaar

• Mr. Vincent Pienaar is a 25 year veteran math teacher from South Africa.

• He has been very successful teaching math at middle school level for the
past 5 years in the USA and is familiar with every aspect of the school
system.

• Also notable is the fact that he has been a principal of an elementary school
in his native South Africa for nearly 6 years before he became an
International Teacher.

• He has been teaching on 3 Continents and is on his final year as

cultural exchange teacher in the USA.

• He also won the prestiges “VIF

National Cultural Educator of the Year Award for 2008"

• His moto is: "Vincenti Dabo" Translated: It shall be given to the conqueror.
 Video conferencing

• Connecting people.
• Students are able to explore,
communicate, analyze and share
information and ideas with one
another.
 Connecting via video link

Connecting two locations through a real time audio

and video link.
Tools needed beyond a computer
• Webcam, speakers, high speed internet
connection.
Programs to connect
• Microsoft, Skype, SnapYap.
WWII
Myths and Legends
• Social Studies Project
• Interview on 3 continents
What can you do with Skype?

Skype will allow you to:

• network with other instructional
technology teachers
• connect students with experts
worldwide
• connect students who are learning
similar & related content
• allow parents to see their students
presenting
• allow students who are absent a
chance to participate
• allow teams of teachers to meet
virtually
• allow administrators to connect
with classrooms from their office
• become the "teacher as facilitator"
10 Ways Wikis Can be Used in Your Classroom
(From Classroomtech)

1. Lesson Summaries
2. Collaboration of Notes
3. Concept Introduction and
Exploratory Projects
4. Dissemination of important
classroom information beyond the
classroom
5. Individual assessment projects
6. Creation of a simple website
7. Sharing of initial thoughts about,
and knowledge of a new topic
8. Student portfolios
9. Location to aggregate web
resources
10. Collaboration among teachers
Wiki examples
 Wikispaces for teachers

• 250,000 ad-free, private K-12 Plus wikis!

• All the features and benefits that normally cost
$50/year - for free
• No fine print, no usage limits, no advertising, no catches.
• Start a Wiki in 30 Seconds
 Vodcasts

• Video on demand, video

podcasts.
• Vodcasting to teach
concepts and learn about
different cultures.
Metric measurement
 Vodcasting materials

• Video camera
• Program such as Movie Maker or
imovie
• Make them available on DVD and
a web site if available.
 Research Projects

• Authentic projects that integrate math, Taking students to places

reading and writing, through advanced
internet research.
through technology and their
imagination.
 Voicethreads

• What is a voicethread?.
• Ed.VoiceThread.com, a secure
site just for educators and their
students
• Teachers can keep
Voicethreads private or publish
them
• 5 innovative ways to
comment
• you can draw on top of the
media as you record your
comment
• Embedding easy- add
interactive group discussions
to any website
How Do I get started with Voicethread?

• Join the site and

set-up an account for
FREE.
• Set up student identities.
You will need a
microphone to
create Voicethreads.
• Invite parents to share.
• Embed or share the link
• As many uses as you can
imagine.