Local schools take part in megaconference

Anne Caradice

On Thursday, May 18, 2006 Riverview and McCrosson-Tovell students along with Mr. Mike McInerney and Mrs. Anne Carradice have participated in the third annual Megaconference Jr global event. Megaconference Jr. is a project designed to give students in elementary/primary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other’s learning in real time, using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology. Presenters designed and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on academic and cultural issues. Participants were able to address questions to presenters and collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness. Detailed information about the event is available at www.megaconferencejr.org.
Our Grade 5/6 class made a bilingual presentation on “Where in the World is the Rainy River District?” The Grades 1-3 were able to interact with a high school in the USA who had a presentation on CHINA. Dan Mack, Jeff Wall and Jason Rousseau of Computer Services and Don Ricci helped to make this project a very rich learning experience for the students.
The Megaconference Jr. Event included participants from over 200 schools from countries around the world. Sites anywhere in the world were also encouraged to watch the live stream, chat with other viewers, and ask questions of the live presenters on May 18th at http://commonsvcg.oar.net/megaconference. The event ran from 7 am until 7 pm (EDT). The 12 hour duration made it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.
About Megaconference Jr.
Megaconference Jr. is the world’s first all virtual K-12 videoconference event over Internet2 and highspeed networks around the world. This event is made possible by a volunteer team of technologists, students, teachers and staff. The Internet2 Commons Videoconferencing Service provides the high capacity multi-point videoconferencing technology that makes this event possible.