Murasakino High School English Course has been taking an active part in an international exchange project called 'Global Collaboration' with a number of overseas schools since 1995. The project utilizies the Internet and Video Tele-conferencing systems as communication tools.
On the morning of Friday June 3rd Japan time, we had the Video Tele-conference between Murasakino high school and Blair High School in Pasadina, California, USA. It was the culmination of a 6 month long exchange project from December through June. The conference this year, focusing on 'Gender', turned out to be a success thanks to elaborate preparation by our students and technical support from Kyoto University. This event was held as one of the projects which we do as a 'Super English High School' as designated lasr year by the Ministry of Education and Science.

At about 8:30 am on the morning of June 3rd, 42 Murasakino students got together in our Language Laboratory, with some 20 students from Blair waiting to begin the first session over the Pacific. This year's Video tele-conferencing started with an announcement by the two M.C. students from Murasakino. Five groups took turns interacting with their partner groups. They asked and answered questions regarding the sub topics assigned to them, and then the Murasakino groups gave various live performances such as introducing Kyoto culture using photos or dancing. The entire session lasted about one hour, with all the students excitedly particpating and sharing a sense of togetherness in a real time exchange with the students over the Pacific.
November this year, Murasakino is going to invite some students and teachers from Blair High School in commemoration of 10th anniversary of the exchange with Blair and Murasakino High Schools who created the project together.
Below is the message from Mr.Richard Miyagawa who has been working with us for all the years." Blair students have collaborated with the students and teachers at Murasakino High School for approximately 10 years.Working together in "international cooperative learning groups" has changed the traditional methods of student learning. The Blair - Murasakino collaboration is a visionary model for other high schools who wish to prepare for and participate in a true global community. "


Below is the information about the Global Collaboration Project.


1) The main and sub topics
for Global Collaboration 2003-2004.

Main theme: Gender
Sub topics:
1) Gender Issues in Culture
2)Gender Issues in politics
3) Gender Issues in the family
4) Gender - Regional differences
5) Gender Issues in business

2) System specifications
Video-Conferencing machine: ViewStation 128 ( Polycom )
Protocols: IP 386

3) Global Collaboration Webcite
URL:http://www.edu.city.kyoto.jp/hp/murasaki/global/index.htm
( Only open to the members of the project )

4) The main themes
for the past Global Collaboration Project
1998-1999:Water Quality
1999-2000:Trash
2000-2001:Youth Culture
2001-2002:Terrorism
2002-2003:Globalization