http://www.iearn.org/

iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network, is a nonprofit online global network enabling young people to engage in collaborative educational projects. Its aim is twofold: to "both enhance learning and make a difference in the world." The site advertises itself as an inclusive, culturally diverse community linking 15,000 schools in 100 countries through a safe and structured environment where youth communicate through online school linkages.

The learning projects of iEARN are designed and facilitated by teachers and students to meet their classroom needs while increasing international understanding. Topics run the gamut of traditional academic subjects (math, science, the arts, etc.), but are often far from traditional in their form and purpose. Under "Social Studies," for example, youth may connect with participants from other countries to work on projects as varied as "AIDSWEB: Social Action For Education with Today's Youth," which seeks to develop an Internet-based HIV/AIDS education curriculum; "Doors to Peace (Puertas Para la Paz)," which seeks to build a culture based on peace; and the "Greensphere Project," which strives to improve the quality of life in poor communities by examining recreational outdoor activities, public health and the ecology. iEARN also provides links to outside information and organizations to help young people more fully understand the global implications of the projects in which they choose to participate.

To join, teachers and students select a project, then enter online "forum spaces" to share work and ideas with other teacher/student teams from around the world. Participants can contribute ideas, personal stories, poems, images, oral stories (audio files), music, animations and movies. Discussion groups for the projects are conducted both via closed, school-based message boards and USENET email groups simultaneously. Over a hundred projects may be functioning through the iEARN website at any given time. The Project Book is a PDF file that gives thumb-nail portraits of the dazzling array of efforts currently underway.

Through interchanges among youth from around the world, iEARN enables participants to act as global citizens. The Internet -- with its speed, versatility, interactivity and global reach -- is the tool that makes it possible.

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