What an awesome day! To celebrate Earth Day, a group of 10 or so of us from all over the world worked together to pull off 24 hours of non-stop programming over the entire GMT day. The webcasting team came from Canada, Germany, Australia, the UK, Portugal, and the USA. Conversations centered around preserving the Earth. Guests included scientists, environmentalists, business leaders, educators, community members, and students! We recorded the day's events, which will be available soon for those to listen to later.
Participants filled the chat room to ask questions of the hosts and special guests - the live conversations were fun and informative. I was actively involved with about 18 of the hours either by hosting or providing behind-the-scenes support to the person hosting. This was true of the entire Earthcast team. It was the best teamwork I've ever been a part of!
The day was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. The pass-offs at the hour mark when webcasters passed the streaming to someone else in another part of the world were times when everyone came together - checking the sound, offering suggestions, and encouraging each other.
Student voices were heard from all over the world about important environmental matters. They were poised and proud to be broadcasting to a worldwide audience and they were invested in the subject. Their teachers report that they want to know when they can do something like this again.
I felt a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. I streamed both audio and video from my laptop for the first time and I didn't mess it up. I enjoyed sharing the 6th grade blogging project done by April Warren and her students, and talking with Sue Hellman and her students about a video they created for Earth Day. I also interviewed Chris Clonen, the Project Manager of General Motors' Education website and loved the conversation and learning about hybrid vehicles, fuel cells, no waste manufacturing plants, and more. Click here for archived audio of the interview.
This one one of the highlights of my entire career and I look forward to future similar experiences. The possibilities are endless!
Thanks to the entire Earthcast team and everyone who participated! This event would not have been possible without the support of WorldBridges and EdTechTalk.
Hi pam - all of your words are definitive spoken by heart and true - spell by spell. Just got into the 'open and warm welcoming team' 3 weeks ago - it and was incredible how all the members interacted always the aim in front. Now - past the event - like always there is the mixture between "well done" and a bit of a whole. Lets recue this experience and get early plannings with next year. :-) Thanx for your great stuff - and shure - the waves of next year will be more than more higher.
ReplyDeleteBest regards from Germany - and thanx that you has been in the team.
Andreas
Pam - I can only second your words.
ReplyDeleteIt was great, exhausting FUN! What a day!
I also loved to listen to the voice of the students! Just brilliant!
And WOW - I didn't know it was your first time voice and video casting.
You did great. You sounded like a Pro!
Great Job!
Hi Pam-
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with your assessment of the day (and with the nice comments left by both Cristina and Andreas). I have been very much amazed by the teamwork and camaraderie with everyone on the earthcast team. It was definitely a privilege to work with you and the rest of the Earthcast08 crew throughout the past couple of months (and thanks to you and Derrall for your mentoring in the webcast academy-that was a fantastic professional development experience and both you and Derrall with an awesome team of facilitators).
I'm glad we'll be keeping our momentum going forward through the use of the new earthbridges.net community. I look forward to working with you and the rest of the team on future events over at earthbridges!
Cheers and keep up the good work!
Matt Montagne
Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
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