Nortel LearniT 21st century e-Learning initiative

Webb Bridge Principal Elizabeth Fogartie opened the first day at her location by announcing  that the Nortel LearniT-sponsored change would take place.

As part of the exchange, each student presented a collage they had prepared introducing themself to the groups joined via audio and video connection via Nortel Multimedia Communication Server (MCS) technology. 

View a slideshow collage of the participants

The event was the culmination of many weeks of preparation and hard work by:  

• the students as  they polished their skills and created their introductory PowerPoints with text and graphics
• the sponsoring teachers who guided the presentations and worked with Nortel LearniT to make this event happen
• and Nortel LearniT coordinators, who describe the creation of this event in the Learning Across Borders Planning Guide, a model useful in many other contexts, as well:
  • The guide shows how to create and implement a technologized learning outreach activity. Depending on the countries, this can also allow students to apply their second language skills with native speaking students in the other country.
  • This project-based resource involves technologies including the Internet/computers, digital cameras, and PowerPoint presentations, and a rubric for project/progress evaluation.
    When the floor opened for questions, the interchange was lively, with candid questions and answers and students openly communicating what each wanted the other country to know
• Nortel LearniT also provides for such activities, the Nortel LearniT International Exchange Guide Sheet

Topics and shared notes in the first day's exchange included: 

• it does (rarely) snow in Georgia
• Canadians have a lot of snow, but don't live in igloos
• special attractions of each of the cities
• sidelights on area sports, malls and stores (shopping)
  students' musical interests

The Webb Bridge students performed a song from "Willy Wonka", their school play the night before.

Ingredients of success included: 

• the students' excellent preparation and enthusiasm
• the many contributions of the teacher sponsors: Chantal Béland (CA) and Jamie Patterson (GA) and the support of the respective schools
• the many energetic efforts of Nortel Coordinators Marc Lavoie and Kathy Griffiths (CA) and Mitch Simcoe and Burt Weller (GA). The May exchange was attended by Nortel outreach participants Karen Fetters, Bob McLendon, and Trent Schoulz and the CIO for Fulton County Schools Michael Murray.  Mme Patterson emphasized the value of the exchange for applied language skills for the students.

Some future plans may include:

• establishing identifying questions by both schools for information-sharing via next meeting presentations, e.g., create "A Day in the Life" scenarios
• MCS accounts for the participating teachers/schools
  use of the MCS web collaboration tool to share video and charts simultaneously
• more extensive parental permission granting prior to the event to allow more participation 

Nortel LearniT Resources

• Lesson Plans and Guides
• Technology Skills-building Videos
• Resources and Best Practices