Embracing change over the years

Global School Net [picture pending/ my Internet connection keeps on freezing]

 

Though the Global School Net web page mentions two founders, Yvonne Maria Andres and Al Rogers, it could be said that the original concept of connecting schools for online projects was Yvonne’s back in 1984. Like a good entrepreneur, Yvonne partnered up with Al Rogers who was working as a computer specialist at the San Diego Office of Education at the time. Al Rogers created a writing program called FrEdwriter that developed writing skills and allowed students to work collaboratively between schools on online writing projects. Later, with the apparition of the World Wide Web, they founded the Global School Net; a non-profit education organization that “engage educators and students in meaningful e-learning projects worldwide to develop science, math, literacy and communication skills, foster teamwork, civic responsibility and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create multi-cultural understanding” (Global School Net).

Yvonne Maria Andres has an extensive background in teaching all ages groups and levels, and is considered a pioneer in telecomputing projects. She has co-authored several books, amongst them Apples’ “Getting Started on the Internet”. Andres was selected as a Woman of Merit and in 1997, and was recently named one of the 30 most influential people, nationwide, in education technology by eSchool News. Al Rogers is an early pioneer in the use of computers in education, going back to the 70s. The following quote demonstrates his vision “”A good teacher does not need the latest and greatest tools. But good technology can also be a catalyst to develop good teaching, especially when you use them as tools” (Global School Net).

What I find inspiring is the vision these two teachers had and the skills with which they have developed their ‘primary product’ to what Global School Net now consist of. They are examples of teachers with a need and a vision, who have known how to partner up with the right people and who have also learned to embrace technology” (Global School Net). Their Board of Directors and Sponsors lists speak for themselves.

 

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/index.cfm

http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnabout/aboutteam.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_SchoolNet

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