Moderator: Epi Sepulveda
Presenters:
Isamu Shimazaki, Japan, Manager Japanese Language Forum
Claus Berg, Denmark, Manager KIDLEADER
Lars-Erik Nilsson, Sweden, Manager KIDCAFE
Patti Weeg, USA, Manager KIDPROJ
Isamu Shimazaki, Manager of Japanese Language Forum reported that in 1993, there were not enough computers, time for Internet and language barriers. There were many Japanese speaking students all over the world, but they couldn't use language letters, so they relied on faxed pictures to communicate without English.
He spoke of a project done with his school in Tokyo and another
school in Nebraska, USA. Both schools were named "Lincoln". In this
project, a cooperative story and drawings about a travelling kangaroo was
written and drawn by students at both schools and exchanged over fax.
The project was very successful and is being repeated this year with a
story called "Frog Tricks Toad".
In 1994, exchanges of color fax took place, adding to the texture and richness of drawings being exchanged. In 1995, a picutre drawn by Japanese students and a story written by Delmar Elementary School in Maryland was put on a t-shirt for all the kids who participated in the the project.
The project between Isamu's Rinkan Elementary School and Delmar Elementary School can be seen here:
http://www.intercom.net/local/weeg/tojapan.html
Also, in 1995, the Japanese governement tried to pilot 100 school networking projects. This was a 2 year project and next year's goals are not clear. There are many other language speaking families in Japan and parents are now working so links with other languages can be increased.
Claus Berg, Manager of KIDLEADER
reported that there has been 2000 messages a year for the past three
years but this year messages are down due to other language lists and
other KIDLINK areas being opened. Subscribers to the KIDLEADER lists are
at 702 - with North America at 440, Sweden at 48, Japan at 24, Canada at
22, Norway at 20, Iceland at 19. However, these figures can be
misleading as subscribers can be more than one person.
What KIDLEADER is now:
Participants see this list as a place for information, excellent
curriculum ideas, introductions, requests for help, and basically, a
friendly area to get to know each other.
Summary: KIDLEADER is a place to keep informed about what's going on with TEACHERS
Strategic information:
Lars-Erik Nilsson, Manager of KIDCAFE
reported that during 1996, the discussion focused on insufficient
control due to the number of subscribers and an inability to reach people
to give them information. It seems, whatever is done, there is still too
many messages, still too many inappropriate messages and too many
unanswered messages.
What has been done:
KIDCAFE-COORD, KIDCAFE-INDIVIDUAL, KIDCAFE-SCHOOLS, KIDCAFE-TOPICS, KIDCAFE-QUERY
KIDCAFE and KIDQUERY had a variety of topics under discussion this year: dating, animals, music groups, religion, and abortion to name a few.
Biggest problems:
Patti Weeg, Manager KIDPROJ
works with Grant Dougall and Jan Dalton.
Goals of KIDPROJ:
Statistics for KIDPROJ
Looking Ahead to the Future and long-term goals:
* Patti's parting comment was: We all see Christ Redemptor statue on the mountain with his arms outstretched. What he is really saying is the same thing as I am for the KIDPROJ list. I want more and I want everyone! :-)
respectfully submitted by:
Joyce Burtch
email: sjburtch@tower.nersc.gov
KIDLINK Annual Celebration Coordinator
KIDLINK Rotary Contact Manager
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