Reading Across Continents takes digital-age step toward connecting students

Reading Across Continents, a pilot project bringing together high school students in the United States, Nigeria, and Ghana through the shared reading of novels, has launched an online social networking site for students to share their literature and culture in advance of a student exchange in the fall, according to Margie Bell, education relations specialist for the International Reading Association, Washington, DC, office.

The students are discussing the cultures described in Copper Sun by U.S. author Sharon M. Draper, Things Fall Apart by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, and The Girl Who Can by Ghanaian author Ama Ata Aidoo. Participating institutions are the School Without Walls in Washington, DC; Loyola Jesuit College of Abuja, Nigeria; and Achimota School in Accra, Ghana. Interaction is via a closed network that is closely monitored by Reading Across Continents, the District of Columbia Public Schools, and the educators from Nigeria and Ghana. The students are uploading pictures and profile information, sharing videos, and connecting with one other using digital-age learning skills.

In September, 20 African students and four African teachers will come to Washington, DC, and in October, 20 students from the School Without Walls and their teachers will travel to Africa. These travelers will return to their home countries to share insights with their peers-and hopefully, to grow online acquaintances into real, lifetime friendships.

In November, two Reading Across Continents project teachers, Tayo Smith of Loyola Jesuit College, and Joyce Acolatse of Achimota School, came to Washington to collaborate with Edward Ismail and Shakir Ghazi from the School Without Walls on a project curriculum. The result was a six-month program of study for high school juniors and seniors.

For more information, visit the Reading Across Continents website, www.readingacrosscontinents.com, or contact project manager Mocha Ochoa at mocha@readingacrosscontinents.com.

Reading Across Continents takes digital-age step toward connecting students in Africa, United States. (April 2009). Reading Today, 26(5), 8.