To support the project, support materials and lesson ideas are included on the website for teachers, technology specialists, and videoconference coordinators. 85% of the respondents indicated that the materials helped them prepare for the program. In the comments section, some explained that they had participated before and so used their own materials to prepare. Others had not found or used the materials.
The suggested program format is that each class presents for 15 minutes or less, and the remaining available time is used for questions between the two classes. 97% of the respondents indicated that the format for the program was useful for their students. 98% percent of respondents indicated that their students enjoyed the program. Comments included the following: • Students LOVE the experience! • My students were very excited to meet students from another country.
• It is such an enriching experience for many children that do not travel outside of Michigan!
• The format was flexible, which is important for kindergarten. My partner teacher and I just decided ahead of time how things would go.
• They really enjoyed looking up their partner school a head of time on the internet and finding out some interesting information.
• My students continue to speak about how much fun they had working with the students from Battle Creek, Michigan.
• I saw many excited readers with the class I was assisting. It really helped to open their perspective.
An expected outcome of Read Around the Planet, and of videoconferencing in general, would be the increased technology communication skills, which is one of the ISTE technology standards for students for all grade levels. 92% of the respondents believed that their students’ communication skills increased due to their participation in Read Around the Planet. 87% believed that their students’ appreciation for reading and writing improved as a result of Read Around the Planet. Teachers’ comments indicated the student enthusiasm: • My students became more fluent in reading and listened well.
• We practiced writing directions! • We are going to write pen pal friendly letters to the students in Maryland. Great writing practice.
• Having to do their own research made it more fun for them. • They are now taking out origami books from the library because they were inspired by our partners.
• My ESL students were talking a mile a minute about their experience. They told their mainstream classmates that they were famous because they were on TV!
• My students worked hard in their preparation for this, and it was worth it all when one of my lower readers said after the program today “I felt proud of how I did my part!”
• I feel like it was kind of the cherry on top of our research
MACULJOURNAL
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Fall 2011
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23
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