Monday morning our Advanced Studies 1st period class held a video conference with Samiha Khalil School in Palestine to practice the essential skills of dialogue. We discussed our values and our holidays. The students will share the most important ideas they took away from the conference in the comments below. So proud.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Welcome Samiha Khalil Secondary School for Girls!
Monday morning our Advanced Studies 1st period class held a video conference with Samiha Khalil School in Palestine to practice the essential skills of dialogue. We discussed our values and our holidays. The students will share the most important ideas they took away from the conference in the comments below. So proud.
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When we had the video conference many of us were nervous and wanted to be "that person" in the back that had nothing to do with anything. However, after we warmed up a little to the people across the world we sort of unfolded and began asking questions and answering. We talked much on the differences in our religions, we talked about sports, values, and other questios we had about them and their unique culture. This was a very amazing project and I am proud to be apart of it. This 1 hour and 15 minute conference really helped me understand more about some kids that are very similar, but still all the way on the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteYour active listening skills are evident. How cool that you noticed how the dialogue "unfolded". We learned a lot about ourselves too.
DeleteI think that one of the things that went well was that everyone got to ask questions and to speak to the people living across the world. It truly was an amazing experience to see everybody bonding together, and finding the similarities and differences of our unique lives. One thing that could've gone better would be if we had just a bit more time to speak with each other. It seems like we had just started to get aquainted and comfortable when our time was up and we had to log off. The most meaningful thing to me throughout the whole conference was hearing/thinking about how it wasn't very safe for the girls to walk home from school together. I can't imagine living in a society where I could'nt go home from school without being safe. All in all, our entire conference was a wonderful experience and I would love to have the experience to go through it again.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it too and was very proud of everyone. I hope we do it again, too.
DeleteI think what went really well was we kept the conversation going and we connected with people across the world. One thing that could have been better I think is if everybody wasn't so nervous. There was one thing i thought was really cool which was we both celebrate Christmas with Santa Clause. One thing i took away from the video conference is that even thought we live on different sides of the world but we both had so many similarities and were able to connect when talking about our values, holidays and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe girls were familiar with Christmas because they live near Bethelehem. How cool is that?
DeleteThe three things that went well when we did the video conference was that I got to ask and answer lot of questions, We focused when we were talking and ask good questions, and we were silent for most of the time. Two things I could've done better was I could've answered the question using the RASSP method and talk slower. I thought that it was really amazing to live through that experience. I thought tht talking to those girls helped me developed more skills like listening closely and developing questions. Since it was only an hour long I wish we had more time to talk to them.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions to make it an even better experience. Very observant of you.
Deletei liked it was fun and i learned about there values and what they did for fun and what they liked. they had good values like how some of them liked sports and what they do in there houses and how they do things.
ReplyDeleteAnthony, I would like to see a little more detail. What did they do in their houses and what things did they do besides sports?
DeleteThe Video Conference was a great experience, and I would definitely do it again. I had always assumed that our lives were so different becuase of the distance between us. Turns out, I was wrong. Our group as a whole was very respectful, and we were able to show respect to the girls. While most people eventually worked up the courage to talk, it would've been better if everyone had said something. At first I didn't want to talk, but I eventually worked up the courgae and ended up explaining Christmas and what it was for me. It was surprisingly easy to talk to the girls, and they were nervous just like us. There are many similarities that I would've never expected. The girls like to play sports like basketball and play computer games just like us. The girls start school when they are about 6 and go until they are 17 or 18, just like us. They value family and religion just like us. I was shocked of all the similarities, and it made me realize how oblivious I had been to the outside world. I had always just assumed that our lives were different, that we were more privlidged, that they had these crazy different lives. I realized quickly though that they weren't. It was great to make these connections to people in a different part of the world. However, there were small differences. The girls would live with their parents until they got married, as opposed to how we may move out when we're about 18 and go to college or get a job. These girls also wear hijab, but the way one girl explained it, the girls almost prefer to wear them, which kind of surprised me. The whole thing was very eye opening, and I really appreciate getting the oppertunity to do such an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad it was a meaningful experience for you.
DeleteThe video confenece was good. I liked how they were close to the same age as us. In the beginning of the video i think we were really nerves but as we got to know them and find out that we all that the same similar in many way. What I think went well was keeping the conversion going and asking many questions. What i think would have gone better was talking fast for us and them but i do think it went pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI think we always have a tendency to talk fast, even when we are nervous. Good point.
DeleteThe experience was fantastic. One thing that went well was that we got to learn a lot about their faith. One thing that would make it better is if us and them talked slower. And finally one thing that I personally loved was getting to learn about the things they like to do and seeing how similar that is to what we like to do and they are almost the same age as us.
ReplyDeleteYou were very willing to share. Great leadership on your part.
DeleteI think one of the things that went well in the video conference was that most of us got to ask or answer questions. We really had good conversation. It could have been better if we had more time to talk. We were just getting comfortable with each other, we just started to ask deeper questions, then we had to go. One of the things that I was thinking about throughout the entire conference was the fact that they had to wear that scarf around their head even in hot weather. I can't imagine having to wear those clothes and head scarves in heat, I don't know how they do it. One thing that the conference made me realize was that American kids really are privileged. We wander around town and can feel safe,these girls can't even walk home later in the day safely. One thing I was surprised to learn that they must work up to fasting. They have years to learn how to fast properly. Altogether, the video conference was an amazing experience and I would love to do it again.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been a great question to ask - how do they feel in a hijab when it's hot. Great ideas.
DeleteThis video conference was very successful, and I learned a great amount of things from the Palestinians. The communication between us was very successful. WWW personally was that I was very willing to talk and I smiled a lot, and an EBI would be if I slowed down in my talking. A WWW for the group would be that someone brought a prop, so it was a good visual for the girls in Palestine. An EBI for the group would be if more people talked and were willing to talk. Lots of people just hid in the back, afraid they would mess up, so they didn’t talk to the girls at all. I learned something about myself during this conference, that I can also work on in my communication. I need to slow down, and think about what I’m going to say, because when I say something, lots of different people can take it in a number of ways. For instance, I talked about a Christmas tree as if no one in the school knew what I was talking about, but the next person that got up said that she knew what a Christmas tree was, and that she had seen one in Bethlehem. It was embarrassing. I later realized she could have taken that as offensive, so I learned that I need to think before I say when communicating with new people, because what I say can make an impact, rather if that impact is good or bad. That’s also what I learned about others, that others can take what I say in a great many ways. I hope that one girl knows I meant no offense, but other than that, it was a very informational, fun, and learning experience.
ReplyDeleteYou set an example for others with your participation. Maybe next time we can dig a little deeper into our beliefs.
DeleteI very much enjoyed this video conference because I learned many things about the Palestinians. WWW I learned that the girls weren't that different knowing they come from a different cultural background. EBI we got to spend more time with them talking and if the face to faith man wouldn't rush us. I have to say the most important thing about this is that even though we are from a totally different part of the world, have different beliefs, and have different schools; we still could bond and talk about small things and make them a big deal. But, all in all I had an amazing experience and I would love to do this again
ReplyDeleteI think Christopher was just trying to make sure that all of the planned questions were addressed. I agree that more time would be helpful.
DeleteWhat went well, (mostly) everyone talking, and (mostly) everyone replying and commenting. Even better if, EVERYONE talked, not just the same people over and over.
ReplyDeleteCan you be more specific about what went well?
DeleteI think what went well was everyone getting to talk to the others. But I though more people should have talked including me. I thought it was great that I got to talk to the other people but, I probably could have done better if I explained well enough.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it have been great if we had all felt comfortable to share more? That takes time for some of us. Great job!
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