Annual ‘Encuentros’ showcases Transnational Classroom at CLU

TodayÆs technology offers educators many new opportunities in the promotion of education, learning strategies and cultural awareness. At California Lutheran University, ôThe Transnational Classroomö approach promotes cultural exchange among countries and continents by connecting distant classrooms via videoconferencing.

This year, CLU has invited the Inter–American Development Bank (IDB) to be the leading party in a videoconference session on issues related to indigenous people of the Americas. The event will take place during Encuentros Week 2004 (April 19–23). Encuentros is a weeklong festival dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Latin American heritage and cultures within the CLU community.

The upcoming videoconference, ôEncuentros with the Inter–American Development Bankö is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, from noon to 2 p.m. The program will cover several issues faced by the indigenous people of the Americas and the impact of globalization on communities as well as the developmental objectives of IDB. Anne Deruyttere will be the main speaker.

The Transnational Classroom was conceptualized and implemented by Dr. Jessica Ramos–Harthun of CLU and Dr. Lourdes Sanchez–Lopez. Last semester, CLU had a successful international videoconference series with the World Bank and the Organization of American States (OAS) that included the simultaneous participation of four other institutions in Mexico and throughout the United States.

For more information, please contact Dr. Ramos–Harthun at (805) 493–3435 or via e–mail at jramos@clunet.edu.