Students LIVE - Background

PREMISE

Students LIVE! is a program that will allow twenty-four students from Olympic host communities and other areas across British Columbia to cover the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games (12 students for each of the games) from a student perspective.

These students will participate in a range of traditional media activities, include filing articles for newspapers, capturing videos and conducting interviews with young people before, during and after events. They will also host an interactive web space, applying a variety of social networking tools that allow them to share their experiences and help create the foundation for an online student community. Students from across BC, Canada and the world will also be able to contribute to the site.

Students will report in both English and French.


BACKGROUND

Students across British Columbia and beyond are looking for ways to be connected to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Having students cover the Games, being an eye-witness to history, and connecting to the many students, classes and schools interested in the Games, creates a rich learning opportunity.

While many traditional news organizations will be covering the Games, this project allows students to connect with their peers through many of the web 2.0 tools that have become a very key part of their lives, and of the myriad school programs connected to the Games.

The Students LIVE! program will create a community of young people, from those attending the Games, to those in classrooms, and beyond, sharing stories, insights and experiences surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Students will apply in the early fall to participate in the program and those selected will receive training in December of 2009.

The Students LIVE! program will be a key element of school games-time programming and specific lessons will be created for schools to connect to this project.


PROGRAM SPONSORSHIP

Students LIVE! is a being sponsored by the West Vancouver School District in partnership with the BC Educational Leadership Council. It is also supported by the VANOC Educational Programs and the B.C. Ministry of Education.

For additional information please contact Chris Kennedy at ckennedy@sd45.bc.ca or 604-981-1031 or Audrey-Hobbs Johnson at audrey.hobbs-johnson@bcelc.ca or 604-608-6769.