About US The Global Classroom Connection is Expanding in Asia! The Global Classroom Connection began operations in March of 2003 and is currently in the midst of a three-year process of piloting its software and administrative systems. The initial geographic focus during the first year of the pilot program was concentrated in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, China and the United States, expanding this year to include The Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. However, volunteer classrooms from other parts of the world can be included in the coming years of the pilot program. Interested teachers should contact us at support@classroom-connection.org Beginning in the fall of 2006, the Global Classroom Connection will begin an aggressive expansion of operations into other areas of the world. Teachers interested in participating or getting more information about participation should contact us at support@classroom-connection.org.
Shanghai What better place to include in the launch of the GCC than Shanghai, the city that is expected to become the commercial center of the 21st century. We will be starting with but a few classrooms but hope over the next five years to expand rapidly, connecting Shanghais youth to the world like never before. The new and old photograph shows a little of the exciting progress Shanghai is making towards rebuilding to host the 2010 Worlds Fair.
Thailand The land of smiles was a natural to include in our pilot program both because we love to be connected to such friendly people, but also because one of the pioneering schools in the use of digital technology is located just south of Bangkok and we of course wanted to tap into all their hard learned lessons. The photograph is one view of the beautiful Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan.
Japan As the economic leader of Asia, Japan has set trends for decades and will be once again by being the center of the GCC pilot program. With classrooms participation coming from everything from one of the most prestigious schools in Tokyo to rural leaders in community integrated education in Kanuma, the Japanese will no doubt help lead the GCC into a phase of rapid expansion. The photo is of rice field outside the classrooms in beautiful Kanuma.
Singapore The technological center of Asia is a natural proving ground for the GCC pilot program. While we were slowed a bit earlier this year by the unfortunate SARS outbreak, we are now actively laying the groundwork to include significant involvement by Singapore classrooms in this falls pilot programs.
San Francisco Bay Area As the headquarters of the GCC, the greater San Francisco Bay area, with its reputation for innovation and high quality education provides the perfect United States location to help develop a set of strong working models for the GCC. Classrooms in the US will be carefully matched to their Asian counterparts in order to maximize involvement and effectivness.
Vietnam With a rapidly growing economy, expanding Internet capability and a country full of young students eager and curious about the outside world, Vietnam is a natural new partner. The GCC is bringing a number of pilot schools in Vietnam into the program this year.
The Philippines A country with a long history of involvement in International affairs, the Philippines is a fertile and exciting new territory for the GCC. Schools in the Philippines will be brought into the ongoing pilot program later this year