Eracism Project
About Eracism: Invented by Students for Students to Bring About Global Understanding
This project truly bridges the divide in many ways, from the creation of the project (See the original student video) - the global voting of this project as the "winner" and student planning of the presentation topic (occurring August 2009) - students from around the world have been involved in this project from the moment it was conceived in a human brain. This presentation bridges the divide between culture, schools, countries, and even bandwidth by providing low-bandwidth methods for participants. Additionally, it bridges the divide between the conference participants, teachers, and students by providing background information and then immersing the participants in the live culmination of the project and by providing a method for students, teachers, and K12online participants to discuss and shape future iterations of the project. This is truly not only flattening the "classroom" for the students but flattening the conference by using it as a conduit to bring students, teachers, experts, and learners together in a rich, symbiotic relationship.
Tentative Timeline
Phase 1 - Research & Coaching
This will happen at the school level as classrooms research the topic and practice debate at their local level. Out of this process, the school should select their 4 top debaters (2 teams of 2 students) to be the "live" debaters with classmates serving as research assistants and peer reviewers.
Phase 2 - Asynchronous Debate Round
Students will use VoiceThread to debate with each round taking approximately one week. Three judges per debate will provide feedback (also via VoiceThread) and the lead judge will declare the winner based upon the three judges' votes.
Phase 3 - Sychronous Debate
The top two teams will debate live in a virtual world with the debate streamed live on the web for students and educators around the world to watch. The audience will vote to determine the winner on this topic.
Phase 4 - Reflection
Students and teachers will reflect via Elluminate, voicethread, and surveys to refine and improve the methods for hosting asychronous and sychronous global debates to promote fact-based debate and dialog that reflects the diverse landscape of our world. Additionally, they will reflect on the topic debated, "Do Differences truly make us stronger?
This will happen at the school level as classrooms research the topic and practice debate at their local level. Out of this process, the school should select their 4 top debaters (2 teams of 2 students) to be the "live" debaters with classmates serving as research assistants and peer reviewers.
Phase 2 - Asynchronous Debate Round
Students will use VoiceThread to debate with each round taking approximately one week. Three judges per debate will provide feedback (also via VoiceThread) and the lead judge will declare the winner based upon the three judges' votes.
Phase 3 - Sychronous Debate
The top two teams will debate live in a virtual world with the debate streamed live on the web for students and educators around the world to watch. The audience will vote to determine the winner on this topic.
Phase 4 - Reflection
Students and teachers will reflect via Elluminate, voicethread, and surveys to refine and improve the methods for hosting asychronous and sychronous global debates to promote fact-based debate and dialog that reflects the diverse landscape of our world. Additionally, they will reflect on the topic debated, "Do Differences truly make us stronger?