“We put the whole world in their hands”

In the 21st century, our children need a new set of skills. As the world gets smaller and more interconnected, today's students -- tomorrow’s leaders -- must be able to communicate with and work with people from other cultures and they must know how to use computers and Internet technologies.

The Global Virtual Classroom program was created with these goals in mind. More than any other technology, the Internet has the potential to transform education and life-long learning. This is why governments and communities all over the world have been seeking to "wire" their schools.

But it's not enough to provide computers and Internet access. Students need guidance and a constructive framework, to learn how to use these powerful tools to expand their horizons and focus their minds on positive, educational subjects and skills.

The Global Virtual Classroom provides this framework, and more. GVC offers connection to a diverse global community of like-minded educators and classrooms. It offers challenging goals and activities. It offers a place they can practice and learn from mistakes as well as successes.

GVC also offers a safe and secure online environment, which we know is of utmost concern to parents and schools today. Security is one of our top priorities [see privacy and security policy].

And, we offer tips, guidance and probably more online support than most other similiar education programs. Because schools and teachers need guidance too.

We hope those of you who are principals, school IT administrators or parents can also offer them your support, whether it's extra time in the computer classroom, or making arrangements for a special Internet videoconference session, or even technology training. We recommend that you get involved as much as you can. You will be so very proud of how your students grow through their GVC experience.

Did you know?

• Two-thirds of participating GVC teachers returned each year in its original run from 1996 to 2000. Read some of their opinions in the testimonials section.
• All GVC programs are free and require only computers and Internet access. They are quite different, however, in their content and in the amount of technical knowledge and computer access they require. See Which program is best for you?
• GVC is a great way to do cross-curriculum projects, combining computer skills learning with language/English, geography, history, environmental science and many other subjects. See a winning website from 1998 about the earth in 95 Million B.C.