The KIDS-91 Newsletter A Global Dialog for Children 10-15 Years Issue number 4, October 26 1990 Art by Marie Aune, Norway

1. KIDS-91

The aim is to get as many children in the age group 10 -15 as possible involved in a GLOBAL dialog continuing until May 12th 1991. We would like their responses to these questions: 1) Who am I?, 2) What do I want to be when I grow up?, 3) How do I want the world to be better when I grow up?, 4) What can I do now to make this happen?
We would also like the children to illustrate their future vision, for example in a drawing, a video tape, or something else.
On May 12th, 1991, the children will be invited to "chat" with each other in a global electronic dialog. Exhibitions of selected parts of the responses will be shipped back to the children of the world for them to see and enjoy.

2. THE NEWSLETTER

is an information bulletin for participants, sponsors, teachers, mediators, promoters, and other interested persons.
Suggestions and contributions to the next issue are more than welcome. We hope to port it within 45 days or so. Write the Editor to receive future issues of the newsletter.

Editor:		Odd de Presno, Saltrod, Norway.
Online addresses: Internet: UUCP/EUnet: Saltrød Horror Show BBS:		opresno@ulrik.uio.no uunet!ulrik.uio.no!opresno SYSOP. Phone: +47 41 31378.

3. PROGRESS REPORT

KIDS-91 is now available through Internet/BITNET through the list KIDS-91@VM1.NODAK.EDU and KIDCAFE@VM1.NODAK.EDU (see under "Level 3: Online Participative" below".
Here are some recent responses in the data base:

Question #1: Who Am I?

I am Arvind Howarth. I am an eleven-year-old girl. I love dolphins and hate the killing of them (pollution, tuna nets etc). I like drawing, reading, swimming and basic outdoor sport. I hope that someone will save the world, and stop the wars. Wars and the thought of them scare me. (from London, England)

My name is Lucy and I am 15 years old. I enjoy acting, reading and playing the saxaphone. I am concerned with the welfare of our planet. I find myself feeling very exasperated when my careers teacher asks the class what we want to become when we grow up! As if we actually have a choice! The way the planet is going,there is only one thing left to work towards,and thats saving ours and many other creatures world! (from Australia)

Question #2: What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up?

I would like to go to art school and become an artist. I'm not that bothered about money, but I would love to have a job that I enjoy and that I look forward to. (Arvind)

I find myself feeling very exasperated when my careers teacher asks the class what we want to become when we grow up! As if we actually have a choice! The way the planet is going,there is only one thing left to work towards,and thats saving ours and many other creatures world!
As you may have guessed, I am of the opinion that there is only one thing to grow up for! Our planet! So I intend to become an activest (hopefully in theatre). (Lucy)

Question #3: How Do I Want The World To Be Better When I Grow Up?

I think everyone should ride a bicycle. No pollution, no petrol, and you get fit. I also think there should be no wars. Why don't the prime ministers battle it out themselves? Instead of killing the rest of the world. But it would be better if no-one had to improve anything. If everything was satisfactory without modernising. But that's too idealistic I suppose. (Arvind)

By the time I am an adult,I would like the world to be like one big peaceful commune,with no seperate countries,no need or abuse of anything and a loving bond between all things.I think this may take a little time,so maby our children will experience such peace! (Lucy)

Question #4: What Can I Do Now To Make This Happen?

I honestly don't think I can do anything (on my own). If everyone did the right thing  - recycling, composting, demonstrating and basically living contentedly - then there would be no problem. But on my own I can't help the world. So I'll do my bit and hope everyone does their's. (Arvind)

If this dream is to become reality,we will have to begin now by treating each other with love and care,and then all things around us! Peace can only be achieved by each person taking the initiative! For my part,I am in the process of starting an action group in the Byron Bay for young caring people. (Lucy)

4. How teachers can participate in KIDS-91

We assume that a copy of the KIDS-91 "Letter to Teachers" and the other material is available. If not, please ask for copies. The guidelines below is just meant to give additional details about how teachers can participate.
Here are the different ways you can choose to participate in KIDS-91 with your class:

Level 1: Ordinary Mail!
Level 2: One-Way Electronic Mail
Level 3: Online - Participative
Level 4: Online - Full Interactive Communications
Level 5: Online - Interactive and Planning.

These different levels of teacher involvement have the following meaning:

Level 1: Ordinary Mail!

Have the students respond to the four questions.
Responses to question 1: Each response should contain the child's name, age and city/place (as the last phrase of the response).
Responses to question number 2-4: After each child's responses, add his or her name. Like this: (Alberto Blanco).
Save the responses on computer diskettes (MS-DOS 5.25" or 3.5" or Macintosh) as an ordinary DOS or ASCII text file (text written with WordPerfect is also acceptable). Write the text with left margin 0 and right margin 60.
You may want to let the students enter it themselves as part of the exercise. If the school does not have computer equipment, perhaps the class could use one owned by a parent or local business for this project.
Sort the student's responses by question, e.g. first all the responses to question number 1, then all responses to question number 2, etc.
On the top of the file, write the teacher(s) names, the class name, the school name and mailing address. Add the electronic address, if any. (Don't forget this, if you want the school to be added to the mailing list for the final exhibition.)

Note: We strongly urge you to send us the responses in electronic form (on diskette). This is the only way that we can be sure to enter the student's names correctly. Also, in this way only can we guarantee that their responses will end up in the global data base. We may be able to input hand-written responses, but can give no guarantees.

Mail the diskette(s) to KIDS-91, c/o SciNet, 131 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Box 326, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1R8, Canada.
The next step is to let the students make the drawings/paintings. Remember to have the students write their name, age and place/school CLEARLY on the front page. If the contribution is selected to be exhibited, then the audience should be able to see the name of the artist.
Challenge them to find more creative ways of 'drawing themselves as adults in their desired future world'. Ref. the "Letter to Teachers" for ideas. Tell them that there is a competition going on with prizes for the most innovative creators.
Mail the Creative Contributions to KIDS-91, c/o Odd de Presno, 4815 Saltrod, Norway.
We will add your school to our mailinglist for the final exhibition, that we plan to send back to the world after the conclusion of the project's phase 1.

Level 2: Online - One-Way Electronic Mail

Prepare responses to the four questions as above. Here we'll only comment on the differences.
Send the responses as electronic mail to the following electronic address: jonno@scinet.UUCP . (if it fails, try: opresno@ulrik.uio.no)
Here are some backup solutions:

• upload the file to my BBS at +47 41 31378
• if your network is connected to DASnet, send to [DEZNDP]opresno
• send a fax to Odd de Presno at +47 41 27111 and ask how to send it. Remember: tell what electronic mailbox(es) that you are currently using.

Level 3: Online - Participative

Locate a suitable, participating networking system, and access the 'local' KIDS-91 area. Here are some alternatives:

• SciNet in Canada and USA (upload to items 11-14 in the "KIDS-91" conference).
• Internet/BITNET etc. Upload to KIDS-91@vm1.NoDak.EDU Join this LISTSERV by sending the command SUB KIDS-91 yourname to LISTSERV@vm1.NoDak.EDU (for example: SUB KIDS-91 Ole Olsen). The command should be in the BODY of the text. Keep the subject blank.
  Another list called KIDCAFE is established for dialog between participating children (SUB KIDCAFE yourname).
• TWICS (Tokyo): use the "KIDS91" conference in PARTIcipate.
• Compuserve: upload to library 10 in the Education Forum. If you want the children to upload their responses personally, use library 0 (or messages sent to section 0) in the Student's Forum. Children acting on their own should upload their responses to library 15 of the IBM Special Needs Forum. You can also use section 1 (Getting Started) of the HamNet Forum for interactive participation.
• The "KIDS.91" conference on Pegasus (Australia),
• The "KIDS-91" folder under "Classroom Projects" in the AGE folder on AppleLink.
• The "KIDS91" conference on IRIS.
• The "KIDS91" topic on MetaNet (in Salon).
• GreenNet (England),
• The "KIDS.91" conference on The Web (Canada).
• The "KIDS.91" conference on FredsNaetet (Sweden)
• The "KIDS.91" conference on PeaceNet/EcoNet (US)
• The "KIDS91" conference on SHS BBS in Norway (Phone: +47 41 31378)
• The KIDS-91 area on Merlin BBS (Maryland, USA).

Download other childrens' responses and use them in your classes. You may want your students to upload their responses individual.

Level 4: Online - Full Interactive and Communications

Read and respond to all KIDS-91 topics online. Read and enter responses to the four questions directly. Send private electronic mail to other participants - form 'keypals' relationships with new friends.
Let the students participate in regular online 'chats' with other children. For example, through KIDCAFE with Krystal on SciNet or Kid to Kid in IBMSPECIAL forum on CompuServe. Encourage them to explore the world with new tools.
Regularly download and print out new responses from the global data base on SciNet. Use the information in geography, environmental studies, history, etc.
Encourage and prepare the students to participate in the global electronic "chat" that will take place on May 12, 1991.

Level 5: Online - Interactive and Planning

Access SciNet in Canada (from anywhere), ask to be a member of KIDPLAN, and join the KIDS-91 staff of volunteers to help pull this here thing off.
Send e-mail to jonno@scinet.UUCP about how to get access to SciNet and KIDPLAN.

5. FOR INFORMATION

about KIDS-91 or if you want to help out or participate, contact the editor or one of the following persons:

You can also write to KIDS-91, c/o SciNet, 131 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Box 326, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1R8, Canada.