Technology for Interdisciplinary Learning

Greco, Rebecca

ET
Salopek, P. The Out of Eden Walk: A Journey Through Time.
Retrieved April 2, 2013 from http://www.outofedenwalk.com/

This incredible project traces journalist Paul Salopek walking the physical path of human migration out of Africa's Rift Valley, crossing though the Middle East, across Central Asia, northward through China, across the Bering "land bridge," then south through the Americas, ending at South America's Southernmost tip-- the Tuerra Del Fuego.  Salopek began his walk in February 2013 and is dispatching photographs and writings from each of his "milestone" locations.  Included in his project at each milestone is his plan to speak with the nearest human at each point and to record and publish this conversation.

National Geographic is sponsoring a companion site featuring Salopek's dispatches at
http://outofedenwalk.nationalgeographic.com/


I came across this site through the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Project Zero Site, which is sponsoring a companion blog titled "Walk to Learn": http://walktolearn.outofedenwalk.com/


I was intrigued by the project documented there in which students around the world are creating maps of their own neighborhoods.  The Project Zero site is more theoretical and applies Salopek's journey to broader educational questions, thus fitting the theory section of this course.  I was struck by the power of technology as a classroom tool here in which students can readily access maps, blog posts, and photographs, tracing a truly incredible journey from their own classrooms around the world. Here technology's reach is compelling; this project surely involves multiple entry points for students and many rich classroom opportunities.