meet oiada

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Oiada International Oiada Interna+onal headquartered in NJ and Ghana, Africa. Oiada is a nonprofit organiza+on that has been providing educa+onal/cultural programs and services that compliment a schools' or organiza+ons' core curriculum/program since 1997. In 2009, we opened our 21st century videoconferencing center named Akoma Ntoso Cultural Center (ANCC) where we connect schools around the world for students to engage in our distance learning programs. Our centers are located in NJ and Ghana, Africa. Since the opening of our centers, over 100,000 students in 49 states and several countries worldwide have engaged in "LIVE" face to face interac+on via videoconference. Click here for video

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Page 1: Meet Oiada

Oiada InternationalOiada  Interna+onal  headquartered  in  NJ  and  Ghana,  Africa.    Oiada  is  a  non-­‐profit  organiza+on  that  has  been  providing  educa+onal/cultural  programs  and  services  that  compliment  a  schools'  or  organiza+ons'  core  curriculum/program  since  1997.  In  2009,  we  opened  our  21st  century  videoconferencing  center  named  Akoma  Ntoso  Cultural  Center  (ANCC)  where  we  connect  schools  around  the  world  for  students  to  engage  in  our  distance  learning  programs.  Our  centers  are  located  in  NJ  and  Ghana,  Africa.  Since  the  opening  of  our  centers,  over  100,000  students  in  49  states  and  several  countries  worldwide  have  engaged  in  "LIVE"  face  to  face  interac+on  via  videoconference.    

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Goals

The  need  to  create  effec+ve  learning  environments  using  innova+ve  technology  has  now  become  a  need,  not  a  luxury,  for  schools.    Given  the  global  nature  of  21st  century  society,  every  child  in  the  US  needs  to  be  exposed  to  and  interact  with  other  cultures  around  the  world  in  order  to  succeed  as  global  ci+zens,  workers  and  leaders  of  tomorrow.  Our  programs  simultaneously  address  technical  and  cultural  literacy  within  a  global  framework.  Our  educa+onal/cultural  exchange  program  has  amazed  students  with  the  use  of  green  screen  technology  that  adds  an  addi+onal  visual  experience  to  the  video  conference.  Students  enhance  their  public  speaking  and  presenta+on  abili+es  by  presen+ng  live  on  camera  to  a  global  audience.  These  experience  will  add  the  par+cipants  when  they  go  on  college  or  job  interviews.  Without  our  global  program,  most  of  these  students,  including  the  American  students,  would  never  have  the  opportunity  to  visit  other  countries  or  to  learn  about  other  cultures.  Through  our  integra+on  of  core  curriculum  subjects  with  technology,  we  are  empowering  students  to  take  charge  of  their  educa+onal  experience  while  providing  leadership  and  character  development.  We  are  an  invaluable  resource  in  assis+ng  students  to  prepare  for  college  and  the  global  work  force.  This  is  achieved  through  our  Ambassador,  Inspira+on  Day  and  Music  programs.  

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AMBASSADOR  PROGRAM:The  Ambassador  Program  develops  educa+onal/cultural  awareness  and  rela+onships  and  puts  students’  knowledge  to  work  by  giving  them  the  opportunity  to  interact  with  their  interna+onal  peers.  This  program  will  be  the  first  step  in  students  becoming  lifelong  21_`  century  global  ci+zens.  The  program  teams  schools  from  different  countries  and  takes  learning  beyond  the  four  walls  of  the  school  building.  Interna+onal  students  are  afforded  the  opportunity  to  represent  their  country,  their  schools  and  themselves  as  ambassadors.  This  program  enables  students  to  connect  on  a  very  real  “LIVE”  face  to  face  level  and  to  discover  for  themselves  their  commonality.  For  many  of  these  students,  this  marks  their  first  contact  with  the  world  outside  of  their  city,  state  or  country.  This  program  literally  opens  up  new  worlds  to  them  and  what  they  oden  find  is  that  despite  the  cultural  and  economic  differences  that  may  exist,  at  heart  they  share  many  of  the  same  interests  and  passions.

This  distance  learning  exchange  program  has  inspired  students  and  teachers  on  all  con+nents  to  see  new  and  unique  ways  of  learning  and  sharing.  The  program  not  only  provides  educa+onal  lessons  on  an  interna+onal  plaeorm  but  develops  cultural  awareness,  rela+onships  and  prac+cal  life  experiences  by  pufng  knowledge  to  work  in  educa+ng  one’s  peers  abroad.  Among  the  technology  introduced  to  the  students  are  basic  computer  skills,  green  screen,  broadcas+ng  and  videoconference  technology.  For  high  school  students,  their  involvement  as  Student  Ambassadors  to  an  interna+onal  country  can  provide  them  with  a  compe++ve  edge  as  they  can  add  this  interna+onal  experience  to  their  college  and  scholarship  applica+ons.  Students  find  that  their  experiences  with  a  non-­‐profit  organiza+on  can  help  them  answer  many  interview  ques+ons  in  regards  to  what  extracurricular  ac+vi+es  they  par+cipated  in  that  helped  their  community  and  others.  This  experience  can  also  provide  them  with  the  theme  for  their  admissions  and  scholarship  essays.  Our  Ambassador  Program  provides  a  unique  opportunity  for  educa+onal  and  cultural  growth,  which  can  help  give  them  an  edge  in  the  classroom  and  a  head  start  in  life.

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Dear Ghana Friends,

You definitely made an impact on the NMU students in the most wonderful way. Their smiles and wide eyes showed how much they enjoyed the opportunity to interact with you and learn from you today.

Personally, I want to thank you not just for what you share with mystudents, but for how you have become a welcome part of my own life. LastApril, shortly after our video conference, I unexpectedly drove through BayCity, Michigan where the lovely lady you included in the video conferencewas from (I think her name was Kelsey). This was a depressing time as Iheaded to my aunt's funeral, but it definitely cheered me up to think ofyour energy and enthusiasm during that hard time that was otherwise filledwith tears - thank you. During the World Cup, I actively cheered for yourtalented team, especially when they played Germany and Portugal! Severaltimes over the summer I heard the song "Funky Nassau" on the radio, but Icouldn't help but hear it with your modified words instead. I agree, youhave what must be the best band in Ghana! I know these are little things,but I appreciate and fondly embrace these ways that I now connect withGhana.

But more than anything, I am grateful for the way you open your hearts toNMU students by sharing your history and vibrant culture with them. Youprovide what is by far the highlight of their semester in my World Historycourse. You bring Ghana's story to life in the most engaging way and givethe students here a reason to care about what happens in a place theyotherwise probably wouldn't think about through your engaging expressionsthat speak to the beautiful humanity we all share. Until next time!

Warmest Regards,Kathryn Johnson

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I'm  excited  once  again  to  share  with  all  of  you  that  Northview  Heights  students  danced  and  sang  in  our  school  Library  LIVE  with  students  from  Ghana,  Africa  via  videoconference  this  past  Friday  February  28th!  This  videoconference  took  our  students  and  staff  beyond  our  classroom  walls  and  enabled  us  to  connect  and  dialogue  with  students  in  Missouri,  USA  and  Ghana,  Africa.  This  interna+onal  event  cap+vated  for  everyone  involved  a  truly  global  celebra+on  of  Black  History  Month!

Our  NHSS  students  bravely  shared  some  of  their  awesome  dance  skills  and  vocal  talents  with  our  friends  in  Africa.    I'm  so  proud  of  them.  Our  students  took  in  a  fantas+c  live  dance  from  the  Mate  Masie  School  of  Learning  and  then  our  students  were  invited  to  share  some  of  their  own  dances  while  the  Ghana  performers  and  students  enjoyed  watching  them!  Northview  students  as  well  as  the  students  in  Ghana  and  Missouri  were  ac+vely  engaged  in  this  experience,  and  had  so  much  fun  sharing  conversa+on  and  celebra+ng  their  similari+es  and  differences  in  culture,  dance  and  song!

Thank  you  so  much  to  OIADA  Interna+onal  and  the  director  and  beau+ful  dancers  and  students  at  the  Mate  Masie  School  of  Learning  for  sharing  their  talent  and  their  +me  with  us.

Thank  you  to  the  extensive  and  dedicated  team  of  IVC  experts  from  AVI-­‐SPL,  Polycom  and  TDSB  Network  Management  involved  behind  the  scenes  who  con+nue  to  support  me  with  my  videoconference  project.  I  hope  you  see  from  the  delight  on  the  students  faces  that  your  efforts  were  enthusias+cally  received  by  the  students  and  greatly  appreciated  by  me.  

My  hope  is  that  videoconferencing  will  open  doors  for  our  students  into  pockets  of  the  world  that  can  not  only  support  their  subject  curriculum,  but  will  have  the  capacity  to  bring  their  subject  curriculum  to  life  through  live  interac+ons  with  real  world  experts,  and  that  collec+vely  these  enriching  collabora+ve  experiences  will  empower  our  students  to  embrace  becoming  global  ci+zens.

Thank  you  so  much  for  your  +me,Julia

Julia  RossTeacher-­‐LibrarianTeacher-­‐SecondaryNorthview  Heights  Secondary  SchoolNorth  York,  Ontario

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INSPIRATION  DAY:One  of  our  goals  is  to  give  students  access  and  exposure  to  posi+ve  role  models  and  leaders  in  the  corporate  and  nonprofit  worlds.  Toward  that  end,  we  established  a  series  of  Inspira+on  Day  sessions  and  our  students  also  par+cipated  in  Polycom  “Special  Events”.  Interna+onal  students  could  hear  from  and  interact  with  some  of  today’s  global  leaders  no  mamer  where  they  are  located  in  the  world  via  video  conference.  Hearing  from  leaders  around  the  world  helps  students  to  prepare  for  college  and  the  global  corporate  work  force.  Our  par+cipants  included  the  Global  CIO  for  Deloime  Larry  Quinlan,  Senior  VP  of  Cisco  Gee  Rimenhouse,  President  of  the  Verizon  Founda+on  Rose  Kirk;  former  President  of  the  PSE&G  Founda+on  Vaughn  McKoy;  SVP  Barbara  Landmann  of  Alcatel-­‐Lucent,  the  former  President  of  Essex  County  College  Dr.  Zachary  Yamba,  Newark  Councilman  Darrin  Sharif,  actor  Danny  Glover  and  WABC  news  anchor,  Rob  Nelson.  

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Deloitte Global | Global Technology Services

To whom it may concern:

December 18, 2012 is a day that I remember fondly.

I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the amazing work by Eric Jones, CEO, Oiada, through the Akoma Ntoso Cultural Center (ANCC), a telepresence educational center that connects students in the U.S., Africa and the world.

I was impressed by the teleconference with students in grades six through twelve at the Mate Masie School of Learning in Cape Coast, Ghana, from the Oiada International ANCC in Newark, New Jersey. It was a shared learning experience which included a student presentation, and then I spoke with them about my role of Global CIO for Deloitte and lessons I have learned on the path to leadership. I particularly enjoyed the wonderful questions from the group.

It was an honor to support Oiada International and their dedication to providing educational programs and services that empower students to become strong global citizens.

Sincerely,

Larry QuinlanChief Information OfficerDeloitte

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MUSIC:Music  is  an  interna+onal  form  of  communica+on  that  can  be  understood  and  expressed  beyond  the  limita+ons  of  language.  The  sharing  of  music  from  different  cultures  provides  for  a  very  rewarding  educa+onal/cultural  experience.  Oiada’s  band  is  an  integral  part  of  that  experience.  With  a  23-­‐piece  band,  Oiada  performs  with  passion  and  fire.  Students  experience  music  via  theatrical  performances,  skits  and  live  musical  concerts.  With  the  use  of  percussive  bass  rhythms  that  adds  flavor  of  a  different  sort  and  impressive  showmanship,  the  band  makes  the  learning  experience  even  more  enjoyable.  Oiada’s  band  creates  customized  music  for  the  par+cipants.Please  see  examples  of  music  Oiada  created  for  our  sponsors  on  next  page.  

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Page 12: Meet Oiada