Posted January 2006 Christmas around the world 2006
		Julianne Cervellin Learning Place Mentor General information The Learning Place with a broad range of E-learning opportunities has provided me with the tools to continue with my annual Christmas around the world project, this being the 4th year the project has been run. The fundamental educational philosophy behind this project is to develop and improve cultural awareness and acceptance by exposing students to a diverse range of religions, cultures and celebrations, via online opportunities with guests from all over the world. The educational outcomes covered through involvement with this project are dominated by the SOSE KLA Strand - Culture and Identity – levels 2-5 – where a strong focus is directed to students understanding of their own cultures and identities and exploring spiritual and religious diversity in Australia and making comparisons to overseas, via online conversations with Christians of many denominations, Muslims and Hindus.

Systemic initiative: SOSE
Teachers registered: 100
Schools involved: 87
Student registrations: 400+
Online overseasd guests: 30
Timeline: 28 November - 16 December 2006
Online learning experiences included: Online chats, blogs and RAPs

I wanted to say thank you for putting real Christmas spirit into my Year 2 class today. They had the best 1/2 hour chatting with Santa and Mrs Claus. We had questions prepared (even me!) and they all had their names listed on the computer which made them feel special. The looks on their faces were precious too, and they have all written a wish list and thank you letter to Santa after it finished, thanking him for last year's pressies! Thank you again for facilitating such a worthwhile adventure with ICTs. What a fabulous start to the festive season for them.
Fiona, Teacher / MIS / Technology / ICT Logan Village State School.

Your Christmas around the world project is great. Thank you for inviting me to participate in it. I have enjoyed chatting with the students about Christmas. I appreciate you moderating the chat sessions. I can’t believe how fast the 30 minutes goes by with all the questions the students ask. Thank you for including pictures in the chat. Merry Christmas from Canada!
Jennifer, Faculty of Education, University of Calgary

Thank you for organising Christmas around the world. The children were very excited and thrilled to be part of it. They especially were thrilled with Santa, of course.
Kathy, Silkwood State School, Year 4-5

Congratulations on your efforts with our Antarctic connections - hope it all worked as smoothly as possible and that the telephone idea was OK. I watched some of it - a most impressive setup, though a bit bewildering for someone like me who had not been associated with such things before. It was interesting to see it happen. I hope you and the viewers? audience? etc . enjoyed it. I noticed that there were 19 logged on at one stage. Anyway, thanks, best wishes, and Happy Christmas!
Nick, Information Services, Australian Antarctic Division

Thanks Julianne, my class loved it today! I have reminded them only to answer questions not ask so many and keep to facts - a bit of wild imagination on the loose today. We had the local newspaper, 'The solomon Star' come and take photos so if it goes in the paper I'll send you a copy. Loved the photo you put in, would it be good if we show some photos of the kids and their school? I’m not sure how to though.
Prue, Classroom teacher Woodford School, Honiara Solomon Islands

I just wanted to thank you for organising the Christmas around the world activities. We participated in a few of the Christmas chats today and it was great to talk to different people around the world. The girls have surprisingly little experience with chats, so these sessions organised by The Learning Place are absolutely invaluable. It’s a real treat to be able to participate as a non-EQ school.
Kym, Ipswich Girl’s Grammar

Thanks Julianne for organising the Christmas chats. We had our first today and the class really enjoyed it. I already have a Year 6 teacher wanting to use one of my logons as they are doing a unit on Multiculturalism. Great work. Thankyou
Monica, IT Manager / Teacher Pacific Paradise State School