Global interaction

A small group of students from Oceanside High School had the rare opportunity to speak with their peers in Haiti via live video conference last month. The conference was hosted by Global Nomads Group, an educational organization that helps promote interaction and understanding by connecting young people all over the world.

OHS began working with the group about six years ago. Social studies teacher Christine Valentino thought it would provide a great opportunity for students to make more personal connections with their curriculum. Over the years, students have been able to connect with their peers in South Africa, Egypt and Afghanistan through GNG. “They love it,” Valentino said. “This brings the curriculum alive.”

This year, eight members of the high school's student council participated in two video conferences, connecting them with students from other schools across the nation as well as with students from Haiti. On March 22, students watched a view-only video conference, where they heard from relief organizations on the ground as well as students from Academie Nationale Diplomatique et Consulaire in Port-au-Prince.

At the second video conference on March 24, OHS students were able to speak directly with students from Haiti. The conference also included students from schools in Kansas, Michigan, Florida, and New Jersey, among others. A moderator from GNG gave students from each participating school time to introduce themselves and ask questions.

OHS senior Casey English said she was surprised by how hopeful the Haitian students were, despite the great tragedy they had experienced. OHS students said they were also surprised to learn how important education was to their Haitian peers. Their school, along with many others in Port-au-Prince, was destroyed by the earthquake, and they are currently attending school in tents serving as makeshift classrooms.