Imagine how lively lessons would be if pupils and teachers regularly went online to discuss issues such as the rainforest with pupils in Brazil or the impact of globalization with pupils in the USA and Surinam. The Global Teenager Project (GTP) has already turned this vision into an everyday reality for 7,000 pupils over 32 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East and the number is rising.

GTP enables secondary schools a kick-start in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The aim is twofold: to improve the quality of secondary school education by introducing schools to the exciting new applications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-media; and, to promote inter-cultural awareness and sensitivity by opening up regular, lively classroom debates in a safe, structured environment made up of 'Learning Circles' comprising secondary school pupils from all over the world. The debates take place on a Virtual Campus which can be likened to a conventional university campus, only in cyberspace. In this way, the GTP is revolutionizing classroom teaching.

Since it was first launched in 1999, GTP has grown from 3 schools to 250. The success of the project lies in its simplicity. It provides schools with a tried-and-tested, inexpensive, easily sustainable ICT package. It is also durable. This can be attributed to the fact that it is locally owned: everyone involved in the Global Teenager Project is looked upon as an equal stakeholder. The result is a rapidly expanding virtual network of secondary schools in both the developing and developed world and an upcoming generation of information-literate, knowledge-oriented, culturally-aware individuals.

International Learning Circles

The powerhouse behind the Global Teenager project is the ‘Learning Circle’ concept; brainchild of American educator Margaret Riel. In a nutshell, Learning Circles are web-based, thus virtual environments for intercultural exchange and learning. The Learning Circle set-up works as follows: twice a year, under the guidance of facilitators and ‘country coordinators’, groups of 8 to 10 classes from different schools all over the world link up via e-mail or World Wide Web to form a 'Learning Circle'. If applicable in the school context, new communication tools such as web logs and chat are used as well. The communication of the Learning Circles is visible on the Virtual Campus. The teacher plays a key role in the process. The classes select a theme from a shortlist of topics ranging from health, environment, human rights, globalisation and ‘my life’. For the next 10 weeks the secondary school pupils in each Learning Circle e-mail each other on that one topic, using a six-phase method:

• Phase 1: Teachers prepare their pupils to take part in the Learning Circles and learn how to manage incoming mail.

• Phase 2 (weeks 1-2): Students say “hello” to other Learning Circle schools using an open ‘Class Letter’ introducing themselves and their school.

• Phase 3 (week 3): Students sponsor a question for the Learning Circle.

• Phase 4 (weeks 4-6): Students answer predefined questions posed by peer students.

• Phase 5 (weeks 7-9): Students reflect upon their thoughts and send a final report.

• Phase 6 (week 10): Students say “goodbye” to each other, the Learning Circle is formally closed.

The discussions are conducted in English, French and Spanish. In some countries national or regional Learning Circles are developed in other languages. Another added value of the Learning Circles is that the content is formed by the participants themselves and as such reflects local contexts.

Partners

GTP owes its success to its partnerships. Its extensive network includes representatives from many different sectors and at every level, from schools, government bodies and NGOs, to embassies, corporate enterprises and other global networks such as iEARN, World Links for Development, and SchoolNet Africa. Everyone is a valued stakeholder in the Global Teenager project.

Johan Kooij Fellowship

In 1999, IICD and MediaPlaza set up a fellowship in memory of the late Johan Kooij, a Dutchman who firmly believed in the power of education to unite people. The fellowship provides the Country Coordinators with an annual 10-day training session in the Netherlands. There are currently 20 IICD-appointed Country Coordinators providing continuous support and guidance to all the GTP schools, teachers and pupils in their respective countries.

Anne Frank Foundation

In March 2003 IICD and Anne Frank House entered a partnership to benefit from each other’s expertise in the field of education for secondary school students and to make use of each other’s networks. Together they developed the pilot project ‘Understanding Diversity’ and another educational project called 'Respecting Differences' to promote tolerance and instil a sense of awareness of human rights and responsibilities among young people.