This Focused Performance Weblog is a "business management blog" containing links and commentary related primarily to organizational effectiveness with a "Theory of Constraints" perspective. TOC is noted for its applications in Project Management and Multi-Project Management (Critical Chain) and Operations Management (Drum-Buffer-Rope), as well as in Marketing, Strategic Planning and Change Management (TOC Thinking Processes). If you are on an archive page, current postings are found here.
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Giving Something Back - A Global Virtual Classroom -- This is a heads up to my regular weblog readers to expect a lessening of output from me for the next few weeks. I've taken on the role of Project Manager for a new “Global Virtual Classroom” project.
In the late 90's, almost 300 schools participated in an internet-based international program linking elementary and secondary school classes from around the world in collaborative "virtual classrooms." What remains of the old site can be found at this link...www.VirtualClassroom.org
The original sponsor, AT&T, has turned the Global Virtual Classroom project over to the Give Something Back International Foundation, an international non-profit educational organization. AT&T has graciously given all the rights to the name and legacy materials to the GSBI Foundation. While AT&T will not continue as the primary sponsor, the AT&T Foundation has provided us with a small grant to restart the Global Virtual Classroom project.
We are currently in the process of searching for additional corporate support, but with or without it, later this month, we will be relaunching the program. Admittedly, unless a corporate angel appears, we'll probably be a bit more modest with program features and prizes for the best multi-national team projects, but in any event, we believe the real prize is in the learning and the collaboration of the students.
Focused Performance Weblog readers can help with the effort as well. If you could suggest organizations associated with education in your district, state, territory, country, or region that we might approach to solicit wider participation, it would be greatly appreciated. You could also assist us by helping us identify potential sponsors. If your company could provide support (perhaps through the donation of a few gigs of web hosting space), or if you have any suggestions and contacts for potential sponsors, please let me know.
Admittedly, this is going to stretch my technical abilities (What is MySQL and "server side scripting" all about? And how does one set up controlled ftp access to about 100 individual directories? Threaded forums?), but it should be fun...and rewarding. Wish me luck.
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