Flat Classroom® Student Summit, Japan 2013

_ What is the Student Summit?
Flat Classroom® connections scaffold online collaborations and actions. However, consider the power of also bringing together students from around the globe face to face with a view to sharing ideas, learning about communication and collaboration tools in a flattened world, and working on a project theme that can be transplanted back into their home school. This is what the Flat Classroom® Student Summit is all about.

The selected theme, How do we help each other?, will inspire unity and action as well as fostering continued connections after the event in Japan. In an ever-changing world this event provides an opportunity to bring together classrooms face-to-face in a culmination event based on the Flat Classroom® projects over the past 6 years. It is envisaged this will improve global understanding and cement friendships for ongoing collaborations.

Who Should Attend?
The summit is aimed at students in upper middle and high school levels (ages 13-18). These are the levels that have been involved with the Flat Classroom Project, the Digiteen Project and the NetGenEd Project. See also Flat Classroom Projects archives for more information about past projects.

It is envisioned that past and present student participants in the projects will be interested in coming as well as classrooms who are wanting to have a project-based conference experience and take the skills and practices back to their own schools. To maintain cultural diversity it is suggested that each school consider bringing a maximum of 8 students.

What Will You Do?
Under the direction of Flat Classroom® Projects co-founders, Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis, and in conjunction with other flat classroom teachers, leaders and experts, a 3-day program has been developed that will include the following opportunities:
  • Development of skills with Web 2.0 tools including blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, and 21st Century research skills
  • Educational networking and development of personal learning networks that enhance the learning process and flatten educational experience for all
  • Use of multimedia for storytelling - honing in on skills that support multimedia creation and global distribution
  • Action based project - Working within a summit theme that has measurable outcomes and actions for change within a flat world scenario
  • Leadership in a flat world - participants will have the opportunity to be part of the Leadership workshop at pertinent times during the conference and present developments from their own country and school
  • Sightseeing and cultural exchange with the host school

What Will It Cost?
Students who attend the Flat Classroom® Conference will be provided with discount registration and (those not already living in Yokohama) accommodated in a hotel at their expense. Schools are also encouraged to find their own funding to support the trip from their local community.

Applications Invited Now!
We invite applications from classrooms around the world to attend the Flat Classroom® Conference 2013 Asia Student Summit.
Applications will accepted on a first come basis and according to this process:
  • Applications are to be completed by the class teacher or school administrator via the online form
  • Students and teachers who have been in past or current participants in Flat Classroom® Projects will be given priority
  • Successful applicants will be contacted and acceptance to the conference confirmed as soon as practical
  • Cultural diversity of applicants will be considered as we aim to provide a wide global perspective

Applications
There is no deadline to apply, HOWEVER a final selection of classes is expected to be completed by February 15, 2013.

We encourage schools/teachers interested in the Student Summit to apply and contact us as early as possible.

More information about the Flat Classroom® Student Summit is available from Julie Lindsay, Conference Chair and Director Flat Classroom® Conference and Live Events Inc.
Email: julie@flatclassroom.org

Student final Multimedia from past events

Images below are from the Flat Classroom Conference 2011 in Beijing, China