Polycom has said that through its sponsored “Read around the Planet” – a free, annual video conferencing event – hundreds of schools each year get their first experience of video conferencing for classroom-to-classroom collaboration.

 

Also, an increasing number of primary and secondary schools are leveraging video conferencing for classroom-to-classroom collaboration as a way to expand their curriculum, according to the company. Students get the opportunity to interact with students and teachers in other cities, states and countries.

 

“Programs like ‘Read around the Planet’ are a great way to engage students and expand the possibilities for classroom education,” said Elaine Shuck, global market director of primary and secondary schools at Polycom (News - Alert).

 

An international video conferencing event, Read around the Planet is designed to promote reading and the opportunities for classroom collaborations in education. Company officials said that each class that registers for this program is matched with a class in another state or country based on student age and curriculum interests. And, the two classes connect by video conferencing. Company officials said that each call is unique with content and activities determined by the teachers.

 

Through a professional networking tool for educators called “Polycom Collaborations around the Planet,” schools get involved in Read around the Planet. Company officials said that CAPspace is sponsored by Polycom and administered by TWICE. It’s a free tool that over 6,000 educators from 26 countries use to find colleagues with similar curriculum needs who also have access to video conferencing equipment.

 

Calling CAPspace a wonderful tool for teachers interested in enhancing the classroom experience through distance learning, Shuck said that it makes it simple for teachers to find colleagues with common curriculum interests, share ideas and then collaborate.

 

“Since launching Read around the Planet with Polycom nine years ago, the project has grown from 200 U.S. classes to almost 2,000 and now includes classes from six countries,” said Janine Lim, board member of TWICE

 

Lim added that TWICE embraces this project as it continues to grow every year and Polycom's investment in the CAPspace program has been instrumental in our ability to scale the program.

 

“Video conferencing is helping to open new opportunities in learning and inspire our students. We have participated in the Read around the Planet program for three years and find the programs impactful,” said Debbie Huxohl, teacher at Willow Creek Elementary in Houston.