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2 February 2016

 By Emma-Jayne Schenk 

Imagine you could teleport to any country in the world and learn how they learn.

Holy Spirit Community School, Ringwood North, students did just that earlier this month, as part of an overnight Skype-a-thon.

E-Learning teacher Ben Lannen said the Year 5/6 students logged on to Skype and talked to classes in Africa, Europe and America.

‘We spoke to children in Nigeria, who told us about their tribes and how they’re made up, and were treated to a Bollywood dance in India, we learnt the Haka and did an Irish jig,’ Mr Lannen said.

‘The highlight was when our session was broadcast on a news network in Croatia, which was really fun.’

Mr Lannen said the students shared their knowledge of AFL, lamingtons, Vegemite and Waltzing Matilda.

 

‘We spoke to 25 other classrooms during the all-night session, which meant the kids experienced different cultures and had a global connection of learning,’ Mr Lannen said.
 

‘They learnt about countries they never knew existed and cultures we don’t have on our doorstep.’

During some sessions, an English translator was used.

Mr Lannen is hoping the initiative will be rolled out across the Ringwood North school next year. More info: facebook.com/skypeintheclassroom.

This article originally appeared in the Maroondah Leader on 17 December 2015.