Five straight hours of facing the computer and reviewing the project websites? Yes, it is worth it! What kept me busy? Well, the past five hours were devoted to the types of pastime I want. Call it a hobby. It may sound a little weird and geeky but reviewing websites of Global SchoolNet really relaxes me! I volunteered to review project websites on the Doors to Diplomacy Project of Global SchoolNet. Global SchoolNet and I share the same mission of supporting the 21st century learning. Teachers, like me, and students are engaged in a meaningful project learning exchanges with people around the world to develop literacy. The aim is also to improve communication skills and create a multi-cultural understanding. Right now, I believe, as a teacher, that our mission is no longer to just prepare our youth to be productive citizens of our country. We prepare the youth now to be ready and effective world citizens who are multi-faceted and multi-talented individuals.

Our students need to be exposed not only to our Filipino culture but to the myriad cultures around the world. They must understand their fellow youth around the world and learn to respect them by knowing more about their culture and the means on how they can collaborate with them. One thing is certain though. I personally believe in the importance of one’s identity so I still continue to expose my students to why it is important to be a Filipino and act one.

I reviewed six website projects of students whose age bracket ranges from 12-18 years old. These students are citizens of Ghana, Taiwain, Indonesia, and Macedonia. The website projects are their research related to the issues of biotechnology, automation, living in Mars, transportation, wireless technology, and terrorism and violence.

The students offered solutions, information, and even interactive activities for their website visitors in order to promote diplomacy and international relations. My review allowed me to learn about these topics. The review experience presented an opportunity for me to know more about the youth in other countries.

Similar to our Filipino youth, these youth are insightful, competitive, concern and well-informed. I have observed that the bibliographies they used to substantiate their sites were mostly internet sources. They are indeed well-connected. They know how to embed pictures, how to search for effective videos for their website. They struggled to compose their ideas about the topics. Although not very in depth, the youth potentially demonstrated a good grasp of the topics they’ve chosen for the projects. The vast information available online proved to be a big help to them. What is alarming though is they treat almost everything they find online as good sources. These are some bibliographies I have reviewed which are not reliable.

Still, the projects clearly informed me that the next generation will indeed achieve greater things and will have a higher standard of living given the advent of internet and the fast-paced development in science and technology.

I am glad I am helping in the transition to let them lead and take over the world as the next adults. What I can contribute is to guide them in their intake of information. Globalization allowed me to blog, to use different media forms in class, to maintain a multiply site so I can connect with them, and to intereact with them through YM and more importantly through one-one-one personal talks/chats.

Ok, I better get some fresh air now. Off for a short walk…