Net communities

• ThinkQuest. ThinkQuest is committed to engaging students worldwide in its programs as participants learn to assimilate, organize, and share their knowledge with others around the world. In an effort to reach as many students as possible, ThinkQuest expanded its program internationally after its initial success in the United States and has developed 49 partnerships with organizations worldwide to encourage participation.

• Spectrum Virtual University. Another virtual one, but this one looks quite real! Courses are offered for free.

• Agence de la Francophonie. Organisation intergouvernementale de la Francophonie et point de rencontre entre l'Afrique, l'Amérique, l'Asie, l'Europe, le Maghreb, le Machrek et l'Océanie, l'ACCT, devenue en 1996, Agence de la Francophonie, est née d'un idéal: celui de créer, à partir de ses composantes multiculturelles et complémentaires, une communauté qui fasse entendre sa voix dans le dialogue mondial.

• Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections. The IECC (Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections) mailing lists are provided by St. Olaf College as a free service to help teachers and classes link with partners in other countries and cultures for e-mail classroom pen-pal and project exchanges.

• Big Sky Telegraph. By demonstrating how all citizens can be both learner and teacher, this network (which started as a rural network) demonstrates how ongoing knowledge access, skill training, and citizen evaluation of highest value resources, can become a vehicle for rehumanizing and revitalizing communities of all descriptions. The site offers a variety of services, including teaching local communities how to use the Internet. Connects educators by way of the Telnet function to the Internet, as well as to research information and professional development resources.

• 2B1. There is a new force in the world: the growth of cyberspace. Inherent in this force is a breakdown in barriers of geography, age, economics, gender and culture. Sounds very LWF?

• Dialogue Between Nations. An electronic communications project providing an educational forum for the self-representation of the world's 300 million Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on methods for conflict resolution, adoption and implementation of indigenous perspectives at local and international levels. Also in Spanish

• Connected magazine. "... decision-making requires the creation of suitable frameworks for knowledge to be shared and developed in collaboration with others. Writing, e-mail, the Web as well as face-to-face meetings, conferences and seminars are the tools used. Writing in this context takes on the form of an on-going dialogue in the search of an increasingly clear understanding of the way things are." Connected provides a platform for exactly that suitable framework the initiator talks about. A comprehensive site with a miriad of articles raising basic questions about cyberspace, and its use. (Aussi des recources en Français!!)

• Listing of Schools on the Net. The schools listed here, while being a representative sample of the schools on the Internet, are only those which have been submitted to the Cisco Educational Archives. A long list already!! If you're interested in having your school or university included in this list, check it out!

• The Globe Programme. Thousands K-12 science classes around the world (70 countries) are collecting environmental data and posting it to this site. Research scientists use the data and offer feedback. Brows the site for the temperatures of yesterday accross the globe. The site offers interactive, GIS based interface Really a site to wander around a bit.

• The Global Schoolhouse. The place where classrooms on the Internet meet to share ideas and join in collaborative projects. The Connected Classroom is designed to link classrooms from all over the United States and the world into one global classroom.

• National Schools Network (South Africa). NSN is an Educational Trust formed to advance access to and use of the Internet in all South African schools. has arisen from the successful regional school networks, which are school-driven, grassroots networking organizations. (See for example the Gauteng Schools Network and Western Cape Schools' Network). The NSN has been formed by end-user educators who believe that the Internet has a vital role to play in educational transformation.

• Canada's SchoolNet. a wealth of resources in and about Canada. Consult with on-line staff, or develop a collaborative project with Canada's SchoolNet. In the context of Learning Without Frontiers, the Vision of Learners in the 21st Century discussion paper is a very interesting initiative!

• Red de Complejidad, Caos, Creatividad y otros temas transdisciplinarios (REDCOM). Redcom no es una Institución, tampoco es algo sólido ni jerárquico, Redcom es y busca ser un ESPACIO VIRTUAL de interconexión de investigadores interesados en Complejidad, Caos, Creatividad y otros temas transdisciplinarios. Redcom aspira a no tener un cerebro central, ni una memoria, ni estatutos, ni programas. Redcom es más un Rizoma, una dinámica, un campo de energías en movimiento permanente.

• OneWorld Online. An interesting, somewhat different site with good links (UNICEF, news, South perspective, etc.). They are one of the partners in the Global Knowledge Partnership.From their home page you find links to many national and international NGOs. Also, try their Education area.
  For people interested in media, and or environment, health, environmental health, the Television Trust for the Environment, TVE promotes environment and development through broadcast television around the world. It acts as a catalyst for new environmental productions, with particular emphasis on working with broadcasters and NGOs in the South.

• TeachNet. Contains a searchable database of about 500 classroom projects, each battle tested and easy to use. TeachNet is a site/network for teachers, independent and non-profit, that supports innovative teachers who exemplify professionalism, independence, and creativity in public school systems. (Warning: US-oriented)

• 21st Century Learning Initiative. "Successful individuals in the 21st Century will be those who can direct and manage their own learning..." This site aims at opening doors to learning and synthesis of knowledge while provoking your intellect and soliciting your ideas. Check it out, give your input, and see the result, updated twice a year on this site where new insights are given space to develop and grow.

• Thinkquest. Think the Web is an awesome communications tool? You'll realize you've had no idea of its potential until you check out the winning entries in the Third Annual ThinkQuest Awards. Youngsters from 18 countries are represented in this Internet-based education program.

• Tapped In. A shared teacher professional development (TPD) workplace patterned after a real-world conference center. Teachers with diverse interests, backgrounds, and skills can share experiences, engage in mentoring and collaborative work, or simply meet their colleagues.

• La Red Colombiana de Investigadores en el Exterior. Red Caldas, es un programa adelantado por Colciencias desde 1991 con el objeto de canalizar hacia el país parte del potencial investigativo de los colombianos que hoy se encuentran vinculados a centros de investigación y desarrollo tecnológico en el exterior.
  Red Caldas has more than 500 members that receive daily messages via email through the electronic list. In this list many topics are discussed such as the relevance of new policies implemented by the government, difficulties for the new graduates trying to find a job in Colombia, etc. The list also posts job offers, conferences, calls for papers, and helps to resolve questions related with professional matters. Finally, the directory of members is a valuable source that allows the users to establish contacts and exchange information.

• International Consortium for Experiential Learning. ICEL is a network of organizations and individuals whose aim is to promote experiential learning at a global and international level. It is governed by a steering committee who work through a network of country representatives. ICEL offers an international forum for dialogue among practioners, theoreticians and administrators in the diverse fields of experiential learning. It is particularly concerned with experiential learning as a vehicle for personal, social and global change as well as institutional and community applications.

• ITFORUM. Here you can find ITFORUM's papers and discussions on theories, research, new paradigms, and practices in the field of Instructional Technology. The list is a little different from most listservs in that specific discussions are conducted throughout the year. Each four weeks, leaders in the field are invited to write a short paper or essay that is posted on the list prior to discussion. This guest discussant remains available on the list for a period of a week to discuss, debate, or answer questions from subscribers. After the one week period further discussion on the topic often take place without (or sometimes with) the guest discussant participating. The list is open to anyone interested in instructional technology.

• AVIVA, Women's World Wide Web. A free 'Webzine', being run by an International group of women based in London. It provides free monthly listings of women's groups & events worldwide. Aviva needs the input of groups and individuals around the world to provide information for free listings and offers to act as Website 'host' to Women's Groups and Services globally. Check out this site!

• The World Library Partnership. Interested in book donation programs? Want to know more about libraries in developing countries and organizations that support them? Check out this rich site, with information on how your library can receive books

• Learning Development Institute. The Learning Development Institute is a transdisciplinary networked learning community devoted to excellence in the development and study of learning.

• Global Distance Learner Channel. A vastly expanding resource with links, courses, ideas, co-production proposals, and more.

• Jornadas Internet en America Latina y el Caribe 18 al 25 de Octubre 1997. El 9 de Marzo de 1996, 100 escuelas del Silicon Valley tuvieron la oportunidad de participar en los "Netdays", jornadas establecidas para impulsar el desarrollo de Internet. Fue tal el exitó que el mismo presidente Clinton decidió ampliarlo a nivel nacional con otras dos Jornadas, una el 12 de Octubre 1996 y otra el 26 de Abril de 1997. Una tercera tuvo lugar el 25 de Octubre 1997 y coincide con la finalización de las jornadas programadas en los países Europeos.

• The International Development Research Centre. Canada (French version). IDRC (CRDI en Français) is a public corporation created by the Canadian government to help communities in the developing world find solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems through research. IDRC also maintains information networks and forges linkages that allow Canadians and their Southern partners to benefit equally from a global sharing of knowledge. Also information in Spanish.

• La toile des Nations Unies au Gabon. Experiences of local communities using internet in Gabon can be found in the website, as well as websites developped by youth.

• What is an Educational Object Economy?. This EOE is a community of Educators, Developers and Businesses working together to use, create, and collaborate upon Educational Java objects on the web. Currently, there are over 1350 educational Java objects in the library, covering virtually every subject area. These interactive simulations, illustrations, and exercises are available at no cost for anyone with web access to use.

• Association for Educational Communications and Technology. The mission of the AECT is to provide leadership in educational communications and technology by linking professionals holding a common interest in the use of educational technology and its application to the learning process.

• The International Education and Resource Network. This network enables young people to undertake projects designed to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of the planet and its people.

• The Globewide Network Academy. This is an educational and research organisation dedicated to providing a competitive marketplace online for distance learning courses and programs. Their mission is to create a comprehensive source of information, a central listing of online courses and degree programs world-wide. Over ten thousand courses and degree programs are listed. They also support a discussion forum for distance educators and maintain a help-wanted database to connect educational institutions, teachers, and technical support personnel.

• New Horizons for Learning. This open learning community on the Internet is called The Building--more a verb than a noun, as it continues to grow daily. As the primary communication vehicle for our non-profit international education network, The Building:
  • acts as a catalyst for positive change in education
  • identifies, synthesizes, and communicates relevant research and information on effective teaching and learning practices
  • supports an expanded vision of learning that identifies and fosters the fullest development of human capacities
  • supports implementation of proven strategies for learning at every age and ability level
  • builds support for comprehensive lifespan learning communities.

• Junior Summit. Junior Summit '98 took place from 15 to 21 November 1998 and was aimed at all children, those who use a computer on a daily basis and those who don't know what a computer is, those who struggle to exist on the margins of their society and those who receive every benefit their society has to give.

• KIDLINK. Does it all for children from 10-15 years, world-wide (over 80 countries), and since a couple of years already, also in other languages than English.

• Global Knowledge Partnership. (Aussi en Français!) The Global Knowledge Partnership web site is the home of a growing partnership and dialogue focused on harnessing knowledge and information as tools of sustainable and equitable development and mobilizing the innovations and resources of the information revolution as tools to empower the world's poor. This partnership and dialogue have their roots in an international conference on Knowledge for Development in the Information Age co-hosted by the World Bank and the Government of Canada in June 1997 in Toronto, in cooperation with a broad range of public and private partners. Planned: Second Global Knowledge Conference in Malaysia, March 7-10, 2000.

• Voices of Youth. This interactive web site was developed by UNICEF to create an appropriate environment for children and adolescents to take part in discussions on current global issues and concerns. Youths from around the world are encouraged to speak up and are asked to discuss how the world could become a better place where the rights of each and everyone, particularly children, are exercised. Voices of Youth topics include carefully researched photo essays, case studies, and in a few cases quizzes or drawings, all on topics which explore global processes that affect young people's lives and welfare, including HIV/AIDS, Child Labour, War, Urbanization, Gender discrimination, and Youth/Children's Rights. Each topic is linked to a trilingual discussion forum.

• Renewing the Progressive Contract with Posterity: On the Social Construction of Digital Learning Communities. Food for more thinking.

• PanGea. Dans cet programme, des écoles de tous les continents se mobilisent pour mettre en place des activités favorisant l'inter-culturalisme, une conscience écologique, ainsi que le développement de pédagogies actives et l'utilisation des nouvelles technologies de communication.

• The Wild Ones. an ever-growing network of over 20,000 children, teachers, and conservation professionals in 25 countries around the world. The Wild Ones provides students ages 7 to 14 with an international perspective, opportunities for cooperative science activities, and a positive outlook on their capacity as individuals to improve the prospects for endangered species.