By Martha Haile, Communications
July 28, 2009
Live Teach Africa™, an interactive webinar program, is an exciting and unique live web event presented by Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, and Discovery Education, with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The live webinar allowed students and teachers, both in attendance and online, to have a discussion on the rich history, diverse cultures, and current events of the dynamic and evolving West African nation of Benin featuring the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to the United States, His Excellency Cyrille Segbe Oguin.
Live Teach Africa™ marks the culmination of the nationally acclaimed Teach Africa™ program for 2009. Teach Africa™ is a multi-phase education initiative that ensures educators have the materials and methodologies necessary for preparing students for their entry into the international community, while also providing students with exposure to experts and institutions that have proficiencies in the international arena. The interactive format of Live Teach Africa™ encourages participation from all students attending the program and those accessing it online. Participants will also enjoy a performance by the Beninese group of artists, Wloguede, while students in attendance will receive gift bags with over $100 worth of education materials on Africa.
The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, the United States Agency for International Development and the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership in May announced a partnership with Discovery Education to make the film Africa Today available for free classroom use by teachers and students at www.ExploreAfricaToday.com. This live event also serves as an extension of the ExploreAfricaToday.com initiative.
Capturing the journey and experiences of six teachers and students from Los Angeles who travel to Uganda to engage in a cultural exchange with African teachers and students, Africa Today documents frank and open discussions regarding stereotypes and preconceived notions about their respective cultures. To help teachers maximize this resource, ExploreAfricaToday.com also includes a series of companion lesson plans correlated to topics presented in Africa Today.
In the past year, Teach Africa™ has reached over 3,300 students in Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. To date, the initiative has been implemented in Washington D.C., San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Portland, Houston, Los Angeles and Atlanta, orienting more than 1,400 superintendants and principals, training more than 1,700 teachers, and educating over 10,000 students.