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Students connect with First Lady Barbara Bush

by Polycom Employee & Moderator polycshuck Polycom Employee & Moderator ‎02-02-2012 02:46 PM - edited ‎02-09-2012 08:07 AM

 

Today Polycom helped to power the kick-off event for the 11th annual Read Around the Planet, the international video conference program that enables teachers and students around the world to celebrate literacy and reading. For this event, thousands of students from around the world connected with Former First Lady Barbara Bush, who was in-person at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. 

 

The depth of questions and interaction is always incredible.  Here’s a sample of the questions the students asked former First Lady Barbara Bush:

 

Q: How did you support the President while he was on the campaign trail?

A:  We had 5 children – my job was to take care of them.  I did travel all around the country with him and had fun doing it.

 

Q:  Do you think technology like the iPad will encourage students to read?

A:  Yes, students have the opportunity to learn things they might not have had the opportunity to learn before.  She did state “but don’t play too many games”.

 

Q: What would you say to a student who struggles to read?

A:  Practice makes perfect, the more you read the easier it will become. 

 

Q: What do you feel was your most important job as the  First Lady of the United States?

A: I tried to do something good for someone every day. 

 

Q:  Who was the most influential mentor during your time as First Lady.

A: Helen Keller, she was my literacy inspiration.

 

Q:  What was your favorite fun activity as First Lady.

A:  The Christmas Season

 

Q:  What is your favorite type of book to read, fiction or non-fiction?

A:  I wish I could say non-fiction, because it would make me sound smarter, but I like fiction as this is a great way to relax.  I love reading and I read a lot.

 

Q:  What is the best advice you could give to children today?

A:  Be kind, love your family, do not use drugs, work hard and be a good friend.

 

Q:  How can we get involved in the presidential election?

A:  You can try and meet the candidates, read about each of them to understand how they think and encourage people to vote.  Get active young. 

 

Schools may get involved in Read Around the Planet through TWICE. For more information, please visit: www.twice.cc/read

 

Educators interested in participating in these fun collaborative projects should checkout CAPSpace, a social networking site for teachers interested in finding other classes for projects

About the Author
  • Lynnette Whitfield Director, Asia Pacific (APAC), Education Industry Solutions With over 13 years in the Unified Collaborations industry, Lynnette is responsible for driving strategic business and academic initiatives and solutions for educational institutions. Based in Melbourne-Australia, Ms. Whitfield assists educational institutions across Asia Pacific to transform the way they teach, communicate and collaborate by leveraging Polycom’s high-quality voice and visual communications. Lynnette also spearheads two divisions; Polycom’s APAC Content Provider Program (where she recruits, and develops Museums, Zoo’s and Science Technology Centres who offer programs to K-12 schools) and Polycom APAC Special Events program which in 2011 offers over curriculum based programs for schools across Asia Pacific.
  • Marci Powell is Global Director for Education at Polycom and Chair Emerita and Past President of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). Powell is a classroom teacher, administrator, and industry expert in the field of educational technology with extensive experience in applications related to lifelong learning and innovation. She serves as an advisor to public and private sectors in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific sharing global best practices and trends in education as a fellow educator and futurist. Her articles on distance learning have appeared in publications such as USA Today and has been quoted in numerous publications such as Financial Times, University Business Magazine, and Auckland Herald.
  • Elaine Shuck, with a background in technology, curriculum, and integration, is the Director of Education for Polycom. She is a leader in collaborative learning and interactive videoconferencing. For sixteen years she has brought stimulating and engaging learning opportunities to K-20 classrooms. Her work ranges from hands-on demonstrations to educators, to reaching out to Polycom’s corporate partners, to facilitating hybrid solutions that enhance education and training. Prior to Polycom, Ms. Shuck was Director of South Dakota’s Interactive Videoconferencing Smart Centers. She also served as distance learning coordinator for South Dakota Public Schools where she consulted on distance learning programs, medical education, and corporate training segments at hundreds of sites statewide. Elaine is an expert in her field and a frequent speaker. Audiences around the world – both face-to-face and through videoconferencing – respond enthusiastically to Ms. Shuck’s lively style, technical mastery, and commitment to learning. She has designed and implemented programs that inspire faculty and students as they interact with world-class luminaries in medicine, education, or noteworthy events. Her work has garnered major awards from the International Society for Technology in Education and the US Distance Learning Association (USDLA). An authority on social and connective media, collaborative learning, and best practices in distance learning, Elaine works with a host of educational groups and serves on the USDLA Board of Directors