| Description: |
Is it possible for high school students to connect with the political leaders of our country to voice their questions and concerns? Via long distance video-conferencing, this project accomplished just that. High school students, members of the Student Press Corps, in four states interviewed three national political leaders through video conferencing. Madison HS (Milwaukee, WI) students, along with students from Illinois, Ohio and Michigan participated in this "face-to-face" discussion. The videoconference was held prior to the November, 1996 election.
To prepare for this event, the students at each school were surveyed on such issues as AIDS, employment, education, terrorism and the current political scene. Student Press Corps members used the survey results to gauge the concerns of their peers as they prepared question for all three national party representatives.
Technology and teamwork contributed to the success of the project. The video scan session linking all the schools connected the students and allowed for exploration of common ideas, as well as differing political views to be appreciated.
Building on this experience, the project has given impetus to continued development of a Long Distance Learning Lab, a Fully Digital Library/Media Center and a Technology Lab with high-speed connectivity to the Milwaukee Public Schools Enterprise Network. Plans are for all three of these labs to be linked into a backbone for the building's network. With these facilities linked, a variety of developmental projects are in progress.
This project is being developed through the Pioneering Partners Program. |
