PROJECT IDEA EXCHANGE                  "PIE"            MONTHLY NEWSLETTER              VOLUME 1: NO. 8             www.mcvts.net/pie            http://pie.mcvts.net            PROGRAM OF THE MONTH I wish to share with all PIE members an email that I recently received from Masami Kikuchi. Masami is the Producer of Video Online Workshop, a wonderful international videoconferencing network which focuses on educational and cultural efforts.     "I [Masami) will be going to Tunghua, China, a northeastern town, to have a demo/presentation for "TEFL/CALL (teaching English as a foreign language/computer assisted language learning) conference in mid August. Accordingly, I will be utilizing a videoconferencing system(s) to hook up with Japan (very possibly, Gagaku), to share the wonder and excellence of technology-based cultural exchange for a distance education program.     Also, I am seeking an American friend(s) to hook up and talk/meet online over videoconferencing. Unfortunately, most (actually all) schools and academic institutions are amid the summer vacation; particularly in Japan, it is amid "o-bon," a period when the people welcome their dead relatives, and coincidentally the end of WW2 (August 15th), followed by the atomic bombed dates of 6th in Nagasaki, and 9th in Hiroshima.     I would like to ask you if you have any possibility to tele-meet with us in China; do you have any "summer school/session(s)" in your region, your own school included to have such a technology-based live and interactive communication with the Asia?     If it is very possible, we can share the enthusiasm crossing over the Pacific and the American continent. The dates of conference are: 12th - 15th August. Other information is at: http://www.tefl-china.net/     I hope you and we can realize this telecommunication. Best regards, Masami Kikuchi"     I have had the pleasure and honor to have met with Masami in Japan and the United States. You will be extremely hard pressed to meet and work with someone who is more knowledgeable and dedicated to his crafty than Masami Kikuchi. To learn more about this videoconferencing effort and his other educational programs, make contact with Masami Kikuchi at masami@onlineworkshop.net"               MEMBER NEWS     Project Idea Exchange is proud to welcome the following new member to its steady growing worldwide membership.                 Giang Le          Chatsworth, California  USA In a recent email, I learned that PIE members Luisa Gonzalez; I.E.S. "El Jaroso" School of Spain and Natasha Kruglova of Sunhill School in Russia had their students take part in a joint communications project. To make this effort even more enjoyable, I understand that Luisa and Natasha plan to meet this summer. Congratulations on your efforts and enjoy your meeting. It should be really exciting!             PIE "TIP OF THE MONTH" When is the last time that you accessed the PIE website (http://pie.mcvts.net) and explored the various pages found under the MESSAGE FORUM. For example, I am sure that we each have a particular website that we find extremely helpful. If so, why not take a few moments and post that website under WEBSITE SUGGESTIONS on the page(s) where the website would be helpful. Also, please continue to send me descriptions of training for new teachers that are used in your school and area. Special thanks go out to Donna O'Brien of Illinois, USA for sharing her school's innovative approach toward mentoring new teachers. Donna's description can soon be found under PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Take a look; it is a wonderful program.                 DIRECTOR'S NOTES For many schools and PIE members around the world, the beginning of summer marks the beginning of a summer break or the conclusion of the school year. Summer in America is usually considered a point in time to rest. It is also an occasion to begin preparing for the upcoming school year. I would like to wish all members, educators and others who are on summer vacation or just a pause in the school year, a wonderfully relaxing time. I also would be neglectful if I did not thank all PIE members for your continued support of this program. Your cooperation and interests are the main reason that Project Idea Exchange has become the success that it is.  Please consider new and innovative approaches that you can create and share with other PIE members. If I can be of any assistance, please contact me at your earliest convenience.  Be well, happy and safe! Ernie Read: PIE Director