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ThinkQuest winners explore issues affecting their world
The ThinkQuest International 2006 competition inspired students across the globe to collaborate online, research issues that affect their world and create Web sites devoted to their findings. The 12 winning sites are now hosted in the ThinkQuest Library as educational information resources.
Over-fishing of the world's oceans, the threat of avian flu, the digital divide, and poverty in developing nations are all pivotal issues in the 21st century. They are also all topics that have made an impact on the ThinkQuest International 2006 winners — resulting in comprehensive Web sites that help raise awareness of current events and society needs.
Best of all, these Web sites tackle pressing issues with a uniquely modern twist.They were developed 'virtually' by extraordinary students who had never met face-to-face. These students, aged 9-19, came together to form teams with children from other cities, states and countries and used 21st century technology and tools — email, phone, instant messaging, and other Internet tools — to collaborate, research and develop their sites.
ThinkQuest, an annual global competition sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation, is dedicated to combining education and technology in ways that foster a love of learning while preparing students for success in today's global economy. The competition inspires students to think, connect, create, and share as they work in teams to build innovative and educational Web sites to share with their peers around the world.
"ThinkQuest is a truly unique educational program, designed to bring together students and technology in ways that positively impact their lives," said Clare Dolan, Vice President, Oracle Education Foundation.
"The competition encourages young people to come together to form teams with fellow students, many of whom are from different classrooms, schools, states and even countries, to create Web sites that will serve as learning resources for students worldwide," continues Dolan. "In the process, these students build vital 21st century technology and collaboration skills."
Global Teamwork in Action
One of 2006's winning participants is Gerben, a high-school student at Hague College in the Netherlands. Gerben was invited to join a team researching the global digital divide and the problems that arise from the lack of access to computing and Internet technology in developing nations and among the world's poor. Already an ICT enthusiast, Gerben acted as the team's web designer, creating a clear and eye-catching design for the
e-Divide: Information Inequality Web site. Gerben coordinated and designed all the text and artwork content supplied by his team mates in Australia, Egypt, India and the United States.
Reflecting on the way his international team collaborated on the project, Gerben said, "I will always remember my hour-long conversations with Ngoc about the difference between the western world and the Asian way of thinking. Nor will I forget the long, late-night discussions with Ammu. I will never, ever forget the moment that I found out that even someone with limited access to computers and the Internet could design such nice web-artwork as Jasmin did. It was at this moment that I realised I was spoiled in a way many people only dream about."
The e-Divide Web site and the other winning sites from the 2006 competition are available in the
ThinkQuest Library. The ThinkQuest Library currently houses more than 6,000 Web sites created by participants in the eleven previous ThinkQuest competitions. It is considered to be an invaluable repository of innovative learning resources for students of all ages on a wide range of educational topics.
Further Information
Oracle Education Foundation
Think.com
ThinkQuest
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