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“The Global Virtual Classroom is a free online educational program to promote communication, collaboration and understanding among students around the world.�? (GVC, 2005) The original launch of the Global Virtual Classroom (GVC) was designed to be a basis from which students all over the world could collaborate and communicate in a way that taught each other. Unveiled in 1996 under the name AT&T, it persisted through four years involving students from thirty countries. Its principal theory was that by running a competition for students to create a website that then could be shared internationally, students would be the teachers as well as the learners and provide knowledge to each other. The key concept for this program was maintaining a diverse array of students from all over the globe. Some argued that this form of involved learning was a revolutionary way to get students to actively and willingly participate in their own education. One GVC teacher stated, "The kids I worked with matured in the 3 months of the program like you wouldn't believe!" (GVC, 2005)
An example of another virtual classroom is the The University of Kansas Medical Center Virtual Classroom. Or see the New Media Wiki entry The Virtual Classroom – University of Kansas Medical Center .
“Global Virtual Classroom educational programs are:
1) free to schools anywhere in the world
2) conducted completely online
3) aimed at students aged 7-18 years old (in primary and secondary school).�?
(GVC, 2005)
The two main programs offered by GVC are the GVC Contest and the GVC Clubhouse. The contest for the best website spans over a 5 month period and prizes are awarded after the judging. The clubhouse is a program designed to meet the personal needs of its users. Firstly, a school will arrange an alliance with a chosen international user after conversing with them in the secure environment of the “Cyberspace Club�?. Together, they then choose a project to work on and are able to progress at their own pace. The program is in operation all-year-round.
The program is targeted at young children and this, typically, attracts concerns about security and privacy. Such measures have been put in place that protect user’s private discussions and personal information via passwords. This safeguards against public entry and also provides protection for the intellectual property of a group as access is often denied to other GVC members. The site includes standard warnings against releasing photographs on the internet and the risks associated. GVC Project Managers and teachers are able to view students discussions to watch for any inappropriate content. The culprit of such content is always identifiable by their screen name which appears without fail when an entry is made. Registration to participate in GVC is strictly via teachers of involved schools. Students are unable to take it on their own accord to apply for admission. As with any content published on the internet, GVC warn against using any information, images or ideas that are not created by the entrants or have not been approved by the original owner. They warn penalties will apply for such doings.
• The Virtual Classroom – Synchronous Communication
• The Virtual Classroom – Asynchronous Communication
• The Virtual Classroom – Advantages
• The Virtual Classroom – Disadvantages
• The Virtual Classroom – Learner-centred Teaching
• The Virtual Classroom – Pedagogy
• The Virtual Classroom – Angragogy
• The Virtual Classroom – Collaborative Learning
• The Virtual Classroom – Independent Learning
• The Virtual Classroom – Online Education Support Systems
• The Virtual Classroom – Online Resource-Based Learning
• The Virtual Classroom – The Teacher
• The Virtual Classroom – The Student
• The Virtual Classroom – Online Assessment Advantages and Disadvantages
• The Virtual Classroom – Online Courses
• The Virtual Classroom - Commercialisation
• The Virtual Classroom – University of Kansas Medical Center
• The Virtual Classroom – Certification and Degrees
• The Virtual Classroom – Social Implications
• E-Learning
GVC. 2005. Global Virtual Classroom. http://www.virtualclassroom.org/index.html (accessed 21st October, 2005)
[User:Debbie Butler]
Debbie Butler 02:48, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)
