Students at the International School of the Americas are participating in a global education project called Flat ClassroomTM – Net Generation Education Project. Through this project, ISA students are communicating and collaborating with peers in 7 other countries using technologies like wikis and social networking. Together the international teams are researching technology trends and discussing how the internet has impacted society. This project allows ISA students to investigate perspectives from around the world and communicate their ideas on a global stage.

1. Students at ISA know that learning extends far beyond a
classroom’s walls. They are using technology to reach out to
the global community. Embracing technology in this way is one
of the district’s biggest initiatives.
ISA explores 21st century global leadership
By Honor Moorman
Teacher, International School of the Americas
Students at the International School
of the Americas (ISA) are participating
Photo by Kim Caise - Flat Classroom Project Administrator
in the Flat ClassroomTM – Net Generation
Education (NetGenEd) Project. ISA is one
of 15 schools in seven different countries
that have joined together to create a
global project that envisions the future of
education and society. This vision is based
on the 2010 Horizon Report from the
New Media Consortium and Educause, as
well as Don Tapscott’s latest book Grown
Up Digital: How the Net Generation is
Changing Your World.
Using Web 2.0 technologies
including a wiki, a social bookmarking
group and an educational networking
site, ISA students are communicating
and collaborating with peers in Australia,
Canada, India, Korea, New Zealand, ISA students Carla, Nicole, Tiffany, Krysta, Taylor, Edward, and Nick use technology
Pakistan and other states in the U.S. to collaborate with international peers in the Flat ClassroomTM – NetGenEd Project.
Together, each international team is
researching and discussing one of the six technology trends outlined in the Horizon Report, as well as the “Net
Gen norms” described by Tapscott in Grown Up Digital. Students are creating multimedia projects that include
outsourced video clips from their global partners. These will be shared with a worldwide audience as part of the
Net Gen Education Challenge.
This project is part of ISA’s 21st Century Global Leadership class, which is designed to guide students through
an inquiry process that includes four dimensions: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate
Ideas and Take Action. These guiding themes are derived from the Asia Society’s International Studies Schools
Network Global Leadership Performance Outcomes in alignment with their Graduate Profile for the 21st Century.
Earlier this semester, students in the 21st Century Global Leadership class contributed six-word stories about their
digital lives to the PBS Frontline: Digital Nation Web site. The Digital Nation lessons I developed were selected
for second prize in the PBS Teachers Innovation Awards. Links to Digital Nation, the NetGenEd Project, and all
our course content are available online at tinyurl.com/21cglobal.
NEISD Registration underway for Community Education’s summer session
employees Hundreds of community classes, ranging from the Tango to First Aid for Pets, will
receive a 20 be offered starting in June. Featured classes include Intermediate Guitar and Rock Band
percent discount Preparation for teens, Cardio Kickboxing Express and French Art Framing.
on classes more Register early since class space is limited. For class catalog or registration information,
than $25 (unless visit the Community Education Web site at www.communityed.neisd.net or call 657-8866.
otherwise Community Education classes are offered at dozens of convenient locations including the
indicated). North East Community Learning Center at 8750 Tesoro Dr.
North East Notes Page 8 May 2010