At the 2011 Annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning, sponsored by WNET/Channel Thirteen in New York City, the Connect All Schools initiative was launched on March 19th. Joining Ed Gragert, Executive Director of iEARN-USA, were Karen Cator, Head of the Office of Education Technology at the US Department of Education and Craig Brown, Chief of the Youth Division of the Office of Citizen Exchanges of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchanges of the US Department of State. Both Cator and Brown stressed how the initiative meets the objectives of both Departments because it enhances teaching and learning and broadens awareness of the world among US students and teachers. The Initiative seeks to demonstrate that if all of our students are to gain skills needed for the 21st century, we must strive to provide skills in the areas of global awareness, ability to work collaboratively, familiarity with technology and ability to communicate effectively across cultures and boundaries.
