A Blackboard Collaborate Room would be a great venue for book discussions with students/teachers around the world.  As a Librarian, I have two ideas on how Blackboard Collaborate can enrich our school's teaching and learning, while helping our students make global connections, develop broader perspectives and create an ethic of empathy and reciprocity.

• Global Book Club -- recruit students from around the world and organize a "global read" with monthly book discussions, booktalks and book reviews...using our BlackBoard Collaborate Room as our "Literary Cafe"

• Travel the World with Books -- supplement our read-aloud novels by connecting and collaborating with students in the country/place the story is set in.  For example, I read "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry to our 4th graders.  The story is set during World War II in Copenhagen, Denmark when the Danes helped thousands of Jews escape -- it would be awesome for our students (in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) to connect with students in Copenhagen to discuss this time in their history.  A 50-seat Blackboard Collaborate Room would be a perfect venue for our 4th grade class to meet with theirs.  Another book we read together is "Kite Fighters" by Linda Sue Park, which is set in Korea -- another great cultural and collaborative opportunity!

Thanks for considering!

Rene