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News & Photos
Konnichiwa, Hello from Japan
“Using technology when learning about Japan has been
really cool, you can actually see and get questions answered
immediately with skype and our blog,” said fifth grader
Samantha F. Through the use of technology, fifth grade
students have had the opportunity to meet new people,
discover new cultures, and connect with other students and
teachers from Japan.
“In an effort to maximize learning, and engage and
motivate students, who are being called the iGeneration or
digital learners, I made the decision to use technology to
support student learning,” said fifth grade English teacher
Kim Mitchell. The students have been communicating weekly
through skype with a seventh grade English teacher in
Yamaga, Japan, Mr. Huy Tran. Two of his students have also
participated in some of the calls. “Both skype and the blog
have opened up an entirely new realm of gathering
information from different parts of the world,” added Kim.
The students have researched facts about origami,
architecture, food, samurai warriors, baseball, and more on
the internet and by writing questions on a daily blog.
“The blogs have been really helpful because people living
in Japan can tell us exactly what we want to know and how
they live,” said fifth grader Magnus P. “It is also neat
because Mr. Tran grew up in the midwestern United States and
he can really compare both cultures,” added classmate Ben S.
In addition, sending packages and writing letters to Mr.
Tran’s students has allowed the two classes to learn much
about each other’s daily lives. “I was surprised to hear
that in Japan, students stay in one classroom the entire
day,” shared Sa’id R. “They even eat lunch in their
classroom!”
According to Kim, she would definitely use this method of
research again. “Technology is a great tool for
communication and has provided an amazing opportunity for an
authentic, engaging, and interactive learning experience for
our fifth grade students.” The students agree, “We learned
things about everyday life in Japan, like most people wear
jeans and t-shirts, information that we just wouldn’t get
doing regular research. It was fun!” said Macky W.
View Photos
“Using technology when learning about Japan has been really cool, you can actually see and get questions answered immediately with skype and our blog,” said fifth grader Samantha F. Through the use of technology, fifth grade students have had the opportunity to meet new people, discover new cultures, and connect with other students and teachers from Japan.
“In an effort to maximize learning, and engage and motivate students, who are being called the iGeneration or digital learners, I made the decision to use technology to support student learning,” said fifth grade English teacher Kim Mitchell. The students have been communicating weekly through skype with a seventh grade English teacher in Yamaga, Japan, Mr. Huy Tran. Two of his students have also participated in some of the calls. “Both skype and the blog have opened up an entirely new realm of gathering information from different parts of the world,” added Kim.
The students have researched facts about origami, architecture, food, samurai warriors, baseball, and more on the internet and by writing questions on a daily blog.
“The blogs have been really helpful because people living in Japan can tell us exactly what we want to know and how they live,” said fifth grader Magnus P. “It is also neat because Mr. Tran grew up in the midwestern United States and he can really compare both cultures,” added classmate Ben S.
In addition, sending packages and writing letters to Mr. Tran’s students has allowed the two classes to learn much about each other’s daily lives. “I was surprised to hear that in Japan, students stay in one classroom the entire day,” shared Sa’id R. “They even eat lunch in their classroom!”
According to Kim, she would definitely use this method of research again. “Technology is a great tool for communication and has provided an amazing opportunity for an authentic, engaging, and interactive learning experience for our fifth grade students.” The students agree, “We learned things about everyday life in Japan, like most people wear jeans and t-shirts, information that we just wouldn’t get doing regular research. It was fun!” said Macky W.