Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 8, 2008

Micronesia left quite an impression on me. Apparently, typhoons are a big deal in Micronesia. Micronesia is hard to sum up in a few words. It's great to go to completely different places, spending time learning about history, politics, issues and culture from new perspectives. Waste disposal is hard on these tiny islands.

Micronesia 100

Micronesia Reflection Guam Marshall Islands 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

MARCH 5, 2008

The final stop for my Micronesia trip was Guam, a U.S. The Consortium is made up of six island nations, commonwealths or territories: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia (including Chuuk and Pohnpei), Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.

Guam 100

Guam Micronesia South Korea Marshall Islands 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

Our official visit to Pohnpei started with calls on key education leaders. The Federated States of Micronesia has its capital on Pohnpei (it's one of four states in the FSM), so we met with both leaders from the federal FSM government as well as from Pohnpei State. Our main host was Carlina Henry, who was terrific.

Micronesia 100

Micronesia Library Student Education 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 26, 2008

I was quite impressed by the people I met in Chuuk who are dedicated to kids and education. After talking with the special education team, we walked across the way and met with the curriculum team.

California 100

California Green Internet Children 100

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 20, 2008

By the way, Mike and Mary work for the University of Guam at the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Services (CEDDERS), who manages the Pacific Consortium for Instructional Materials Accessibility Project (CIMAP), which is the whole reason I'm here in the Pacific!

Guam 142

Guam Social Grant Instruction 142

Beneblog: Technology Meets Society

FEBRUARY 22, 2008

But, she's a teacher with a national reputation and a fierce dedication to improving and reforming the system for educating blind children. She has also made Micronesia her professional mission focus. Donna is the main reason I'm involved with this project: she's an itinerant teacher of the blind in rural Minnesota.

Micronesia 100

Micronesia Guam Children Minnesota 100