About

At-a-Glance

Talkback Classroom Mission

Talkback Classroom is collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of Australia, and their educational partners. This collaboration builds on an extensive, well-established, and well-known Australian civics education program, which culminates in a series of videoconference interviews between students and leading-decision makers about topics of public concern. The Talkback Classroom program motto is “A voice for the voteless.” In fulfilling that motto, students are provided a space to discuss current issues and their effects. Through Talkback Classroom students also gain invaluable speaking, interviewing, and listening skills.

Previous Talkback Classroom guest decision makers:

• John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia
• Ramu Damodaran, Head of Civil Society Service and Educational Outreach for the UN
• J. Thomas Schieffer, U.S. Ambassador to Australia

The Smithsonian’s Role

The Smithsonian Institution began a partnership with the National Museum of Australia in 2003 for the first international Talkback Classroom videoconference forum. Students from the Washington, D.C. area participate in workshops, conference calls, and online discussions with educators and curators. This preparation culminates in a videoconference with Australian students and a decision maker in a live interview that is broadcast in Australia, throughout the Pacific rim and streamed over the Smithsonian website. You may view the previous archived web broadcasts at http://smithsonian.tv/Programs/SCEMS/index.htm.