"Are we on-line yet?" A sixth grade student pops her head into the crowded Resource room at Delmar Elementary School, where Patti Weeg orchestrates her Global Classroom. "Yes, yes, come in and chat dear" Patti says as she gestures with one hand. The other hand is busy helping the student at the computer keyboard type a command. Several girls crowd around to get a better look at the conversation going on over the monitor screen.
It is an exciting day to pay a visit to Patti Weeg's Global Classroom. All the hubbub is over an IRC with Zlata. IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat. Zlata is the guest speaker at this chat. She is the 13 year old who has been called the "Anne Frank of Sarajevo." (A comparison I learn later that Zlata doesn't really agree with. She says everyone is their own person.)
Zlata's Diary, A Child's Life in Sarajevo, was written by Zlata Filipovic between September, 1991 and October of 1993. It chronicles two years of time, ending just before Zlata and her family escape to Paris, where they are living now. Zlata begins her story just prior to her 11th birthday. In her diary she painfully records the day to day encroachment of the war on her life and on those she loves.
The students hovering around the computer have read Zlata's book, or, are in the process of doing so. Patti has arranged with their regular teachers to keep them for the special Chat time. Because of the overwhelming interest in this Special KIDlink Project, a moderator in New Hampshire (and a good friend to everyone in the room who knows him through KIDlink, electronic mail and a real life visit) is filtering questions one at a time to Zlata, who is on-line in Paris.
The monitor is busy. Messages move non-stop across the screen. They come from around the world. Kids in Israel, the UK, California, Holland, and of course from Delmar, Maryland, want to know if Zlata is still frightened for her friends left back in Sarajevo. One boy asks if she has a boyfriend. Still another, wants to know if she is going to write any more. Everyone wants to know how they can help other kids who are suffering in the war. Zlata has an answer for just about everything.
While all of this is going on, Patti Weeg is moving non-stop herself, turning her attention to one student after another who is busy with either the Zlata chat or an individual computing project. She is a petite woman, but a powerhouse of energy. She always has a word of encouragement and endearment for all of her students. She shows them how to open new doors, but lets them walk in on their own. And they love it. The students give up their recess time to do this. Weeg says they do it everyday. They also meet after school for a computer club.
I laugh at one point and mention to Patti that the room is filled with all girls. Patti laughs back and admits, "Yes, it does look that way." She says she has a few boys from the 6th grade who stop by, but that boys are more interested in computer games. Girls are interested in E-Mail. We both look at each other with one of those "there you go" exchanges to acknowledge that females are indeed relationship oriented.
After nearly two hours, moderator John Ost says it's time to say goodbye to Zlata, and reminds everyone she must be exhausted after "chatting" for so long. A round of "goodbyes!" rolls across the screen as well as a few "oh, not yet's." Patti gently, and then more urgently reminds the students they need to get back to class.
I leave the Global Classroom with a new-found enthusiasm for education. More specifically, for Patti Weeg's formula for education. It is living history. It is a direct line to information that captures the children completely.
If you still need to be convinced about the power of telecommunications in education, what can be more topical than the war in former Yugoslavia? With the recent downing of a U.S. F-16 by Bosnian-Serbs, America, already poised for military support is now, all that closer to joining the battle.
These students get to talk directly with someone their own age who has real life experience and knowledge of this war. They share their thoughts on war and peace. They acknowledge common concerns and interests. They laugh over things that are said, things they say, and you can just tell by watching them, that they will leave that computer and their time spent with Zlata, with something for themselves; personal knowledge.
It is truly marvelous.
Patti is getting ready to pack up her traveling show for the summer. I see a request on the office bulletin board for old sheets to cover the computers for storage. It has been a wonderful school year for Patti and her kids, who have made the Internet and KIDlinks a part of their world. Part of the excitement is because they are all pioneers. Other teachers at the school fondly call Patti Weeg, "Computer Patti." They may not understand exactly how she does it, but they do understand the positive educational experiences all of her students have in her Global Classroom. They wear it on their faces.