AT&T (News - Alert), a global IP-based communications company, has recently announced that it will be contributing its annual contribution of $25,000 to support the Global Virtual Classroom (GVC) program.

 The program consists of a set of free, online educational activities and resources for shaping tomorrow’s leaders. The Internet is being used as a medium to connect students around the world, to promote a positive, stimulating learning environment, along with cross-cultural communication, develop teamwork. Schools need to apply online, on or before September 30, 2010.

AT&T provides a wide range of services which include Wi-Fi, high speed internet access, advanced television services, wireless coverage and voice services. It has contributed more than $164 million through its philanthropic activities. AT&T started the program in the year 1996. More than 19,000 students from over 300 primary and secondary, from more than 38 countries were benefitted from this program held during the years 1996 through 2000.

AT&T transferred its Virtual Classroom project to the Give Something Back International (GSBI) Foundation in the year 2003, since then GSBI has been sponsoring and conducting the Website Contests, and the Clubhouse program. It basically involves students from primary and secondary school levels to work and learn from students from other countries.

The students or rather the teams, need to design a website on a topic chosen by them and complete the project. Their work is then submitted before a panel of international judges, who will evaluate the projects, and declare the winner. The Grand Prize award consists of $3,000 for the winning primary school team, and another $3,000 for the secondary school winning team. The second place winning team will receive $1,500, and the third prize winning team will be awarded $750.

While the monetary prize awards will encourage more schools to participate, it’s the spirit of the Contest that’s more motivating. Students get to meet and form friendships with children from other schools and countries, allowing them to learn about other cultures and mind sets. Also there is the technology know-how that’s been encouraged. To design a website the children need to know the various procedures involved, right from navigating the Web to research and creating an entire website on their own. It’ll make them self-confident, and hence comfortable with using technology, specifically the Internet.

In a release, the chairman and co-founder of the GSBI Foundation, JoAnn Patrick-Ezzell, said that, "We are very grateful for the support AT&T has provided to us over the years. As a global company connecting millions of people every day, AT&T is an ideal partner for the program. Through the use of blogs, an interactive website, and online research and design tools, the GVC helps teachers and students harness the power and benefits of technology to strengthen cross-cultural collaboration."