Iearn has been linking schools internationally since 1988. Active in 115 countries, iEARN is the world’s largest K-12 project-based Internet supported
learning network. All projects in iEARN are initiated and designed by teachers and students, and provide powerful examples of how new and emerging technologies can make a difference in teaching and learning iEARN, the nternational Education and Resource Network, is a Network of educators and students from 20.000 schools over 100 countries spread around the world. It has the vision to save the planet by improving the environment, the welfare and quality of life of the people around the world through online collaborative projects among participating schools. iEARN programme has the goal to:
• Stimulate student’s engagement and service in their community
• Arouse civil awareness and responsibility
• Improve learning and teaching practices
• Integrate technology in the curriculum in meaningful projects As part of iEARN’s mission to improve the quality of life on the planet, iEARN projects include magazines, creative writing anthologies, websites, letter-writing
campaigns, reports to government officials, arts exhibits, workshops, performances, charity fundraising, and many more examples of youth taking action as part of what they are learning in the classroom. These projects enable students to develop:
• language, literacy, research and critical thinking skills
• experience with new technologies
• cultural awareness
• the habit of getting involved in community issues.
A strong network in the Asia Pacific region, iEARN Indonesia (www.iearnindonesia.org) is formed under UNESCO Associated School Project Network (ASPnet). ASPnet as UNESCO experimental projects is a UNESCO vehicle to achieve peace through development of educational innovation by implementing the four pillars of learning: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together. ASPnet activities among others are: access to education and raise quality of education, provide life skills Safe
environment, build a peaceful community, build a cross-cultural understanding, provide school health services, and provide ICT for learning to live together to safe the planet. iEARN Indonesia made great strides in July 2006 with two successful workshops for teachers that took place in Aceh. The workshops aimed to empower teachers who fell victim to the Tsunami of 2004. On July 19th, the first workshop took place with the Madania School. After a complete one-day training in how to join a discussion forum, introduction to iEARN Online Projects and how to use and navigate a computer – 30 new teachers joined the iEARN family. The second workshop took place on July 22-24 in Banda Aceh. 15 teachers were trained representing three different schools. This workshop focused on the benefits of collaborative learning. Through these activities, iEARN Indonesia brought support to many teachers who not only wish to pursue online collaborative learning, but also desire to benefit from professional development opportunities and resources.
