Link to London-Distance Learning Program Conducts Class at The Globe Theater.

The goal of Westchester Academy for International Studies is to increase student awareness of other parts of the world. That is exactly what was achieved when the school participated in a live video conference between Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London and its ninth and tenth grade English classes in suburban Houston, Texas.

Westchester Academy is a district-operated charter school of choice in the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Recently, the middle/high school campus received a PowerPlay™ RollAbout Video conference cart as part of SBISD's distance learning program.

SBISD uses PowerPlay for its distance learning program, which includes advanced placement courses in computer science for high school students, sixth grade honors math classes for fifth graders, vocational training from doctors at the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, and participation in the Smithsonian Scholars program.

English teacher Linda Richard is always looking for new ways to integrate technology into her lesson plans.

She considered many alternatives when approaching Shakespeare's play, Julius Caesar. To enhance the lesson plan, she took her students on a virtual tour of The Globe via the Internet. However, the thought of being there live was an incredible possibility. She had heard about video conferencing with such institutions as The Globe Theater. Since the school had just acquired the PowerPlay video conferencing cart, that idea could become a reality.

Linda, along with Technology Coach Karen Justl, contacted the Education Department at The Globe to discuss the technical aspects of setting up such an event. Normally, the school uses PowerPlay for distance learning with other schools in the district. An event like this would be the schoolıs first international video conference!

On May 14, 2001, approximately 50 ninth and tenth grade students gathered into a room, prepared with questions to ask their new "teachers" across the Atlantic Ocean. The excitement level among the students and staff was high as the call was made and a live image of The Globe Theater in London appeared on the screen!

The students were introduced to Patrick Spotswood, a manager at The Globe, and Ben Walden, an actor who performs at The Globe in such plays as Julius Caesar. Patrick and Ben answered the students' questions throughout the tour. One of the aspects of the conference that made it such a success with the students was the casual conversation level. The staff at The Globe made the class feel very comfortable by relating to them on their level throughout the conference.

After the video conference, the reaction by students, faculty and staff was amazing. "There is a radical distinction between book reports and a virtual field trip, teacher Linda Richard said, "and the children will never forget this!"

With word spreading throughout the school of the successful event, other students began asking Pamela Butler, Director of Westchester Academy, when they would be able to talk to someone overseas! Her response to her students and staff was, "Get ready...we WILL do more!

Future plans for international video conferencing will focus on creating partnerships with schools in France and Spain. Once the relationships are established, distance learning can occur on a more frequent basis.

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