Kids Teaching Kids via Digital Media

Next Vista for Learning (http://nextvista.org) has been building a free, online library of videos by and for teachers and students everywhere for the last five years. The videos cover academic topics, career possibilities, communities around the world, and the joy and meaning of serving others.

In tossing our hat in the We Collaborate ring, our hope is to tap into the creativity of the 7000+ teachers on our mailing list by using a Blackboard Collaborate room to hold regular meetings on how to get students using digital media. Our goal is to have the students around the world create videos that help their peers, rich and poor, better learn what they encounter in school. We believe that poor students anywhere in the world can use the tools now available to show that they, too, have something to give others.

I thank you for reading this post and considering supporting our effort with your vote.

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Comment by Rushton Hurley on July 25, 2011 at 9:09pm: Hi everyone - thanks for the kind notes! If you have time, please check the other submissions, as well. There are other proposals that could use your feedback.

Comment by Beverly Jacoby on July 25, 2011 at 12:13pm: Teachers never have enough time to collaborate and this would provide incredible opportunities to do so. With the new CCSS's coming up, and the need to emphasize 21st Century Skills, this would offer the perfect venue for both teachers and students. This will be my second year of pushing toward a more global approach to my teaching, and to my student's learning. I think this is a fantastic way to help teachers and students connect in a positive, collegial way!

Comment by Cheryl Sizemore on July 25, 2011 at 12:10pm: This is such a wonderful idea! Students benefit when they can interact with others from different perspectives and localities, It helps them prepare for their role as future leaders in our global society. New Vista is an ideal choice as it has proven its desire to instruct and inspire students through digital media.

Comment by Birgit Bonham on July 25, 2011 at 9:53am: Any time teachers have a chance to truly collaborate, students win. This idea provides that opportunity in spades. Expanding the vision of Next Vista in this way is inspired and shows what 21st Century learning can be.

Comment by Steve Hargadon on July 25, 2011 at 7:33am: Way to get out the vote, Rushton! :)

Comment by Karen Weir-Brown on July 24, 2011 at 9:54pm: Blackboard would be a fantastic tool towards achieving Next Vista's goal by allowing for teacher collaboration without the restrictions of location and time. What an amazing opportunity this will be for both teachers and their students as both ultimately benefit.

Comment by Kami Thordarson on July 24, 2011 at 9:14pm: What a great idea! As a teacher, I love having students create and showcase their learning using digital media. Blackboard would give teachers a place to connect and share students' work with others, giving young people an added incentive and authentic assessment opportunity. This tool would definitely help create a flat classroom, pushing learning beyond our four walls.

Comment by Laura Ramey on July 24, 2011 at 8:57pm: This is a terrific idea. Connecting teachers and students around the world helps kids to think critically by learning of others' experiences and sharing their own. It encourages a level of collaboration and civil discourse that is greatly lacking in other areas of our society. Go for it!

Comment by Lisa Highfill on July 24, 2011 at 7:53pm: Next Vista is an organization of proven success stories. It has worked to bridge people in education since its inception. This new proposal would be right in line with the goal and people affiliated with the Next Vista. Blackboard would be a perfect conduit for helping to equalize education for many around the world as resources and methodologies are shared. Rushton has the people, the plan, and the ability to ensure a 50 seat classroom is utilized effectively for an entire year. I hope to see this innovative plan becomes a reality.

Comment by Corinne Okada Takara on July 24, 2011 at 6:08pm: This proposal is fantastic! It could result in truly life changing experiences for many students and teachers as they begin to (or continue to) engage in a global community of their peers and learn to collaborate and connect in new ways.