Renaissance Students Travel With Technology

Renaissance Students Travel With Technology
Posted on 12/11/2019
Renaissance teacher Amir Doctry has been connecting Renaissance 6th graders with classrooms all over the world. Last month he led 6th grade students to participate in The Microsoft Global Learning Connection. Renaissance students, along with an estimated half-a-million students from more than 110 countries, connected and traveled “virtual miles” to speak with guest speakers, experience a new culture, sing a song, go on virtual field trips and learn from other students, educators and experts from around the world. 

students use skype

Harnessing Skype and Flipgrid as the tools to communicate abroad, Doctry has been introducing students to other children across the world by having them periodically "mystery Skype" with another country. In a "mystery Skype," two classrooms meet and begin asking geographical and cultural questions to one another until both determine where in the world they have connected. So far, students have spoken to classrooms in North Vietnam, Russia, England and various parts of India. Students use a globe and other resources to narrow down their search.

students look at globe

“These activities are an innovative way to infuse geography, while having students see the access they have to the rest of the world,” said Principal Joseph Putrino. “Also, it opens their minds to the similarities and differences in the way that people live and the resources they need. Since most of these Skypes are with students their age, they also walk away understanding how their lives might be different if they were growing up and being educated in another country.” 

Doctry will continue this work with his students through grade level activities as well as his newly offered second semester elective, "Global Citizen."  
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