A Journey of Many Firsts (#globalclassroom Chats – April 13/14)

The author’s journey to Cape Town, South Africa in 2001 included this “first:” being stuck on Table Mountain, at night, in winter, with no mobile phone, having missed the final tram car off the summit. Good times.

In honor of Michael Graffin’s first international trip abroad to Doha, Qatar this July, it seemed timely to suggest that the April #GlobalClassroom Chat theme be, A Journey of Many Firsts.

My iEARN colleagues around the world have spent the past 25 years focusing on helping teachers and students begin their first journeys into global classroom collaboration. The iEARN annual conferences and youth summits are attended by many, like Michael, who have never traveled abroad or worked on global online projects. The impact of this journey can be profound. Here is a student who travelled to Cape Town, South Africa for the iEARN Youth Summit in 2001:

Last summer was a Journey of Many Firsts thanks to receiving the Debra Kurshan iEARN Scholarship. After winning half a scholarship to attend the IEARN Youth Summit Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, my life changed forever. It changed my life in a way that I never dreamed possible before. It’s hard to say, but it is like I have moved to a higher level in my life. I’ve worked so hard to accomplish so many goals in my life that this was a reward for all my efforts.I never realized that winning this scholarship would be so much fun and give me the opportunity to experience so many “firsts.”

Some of the first experiences for me are the following:

• first plane ride
• first time I knew there was cold weather in Africa
• first time seeing wild animals including the cheetah, penguins, and seals
• first time seeing a modern mall in Africa, I always thought people lived in huts
• first time seeing a Township and the poverty that went along with living under those conditions
• first time seeing two oceans meet and mountains covered with clouds
• first time meeting and talking with a boy who was a “Child Soldier”
• first time meeting and sharing time with kids from 23 different countries
• first boat ride and trip to Robyn Island the prison where Nelson Mandela stayed
• first time working with a group of kids from around the world on an Environmental Project
• first time attending a Global Conference with teachers and students from 70 different countries and making a presentation at the closing ceremony
• first time raising funds to cover expenses for a trip
• first time getting a passport

When school started I encouraged my classmates to get involved with the IEARN Learning Circles Computer Chronicles project. We communicated with other kids from Belarus, Kuwait, Netherlands, New Jersey, Miami, and Botswana. These projects connect us to the world by the Internet…I think this trip made me a better person and I am able to connect with people better from a variety of different cultures. I realize that I am one person but I can make an important difference in the lives of others.

Can groups of kids work together on environmental projects for the first time without ever being in the same room?

We understand that travel is impossible for 99.99% of the iEARN network (and the vast majority of teachers and students worldwide), and each conference participant represents thousands of others who will need to rely upon virtual, rather than face-to-face, interaction to begin their journeys of firsts. But is this possible? Can activities like #MysterySkype and monthly chats like #GlobalClassroom help educators and students begin their journeys towards greater global awareness? Are profound international experiences only possible for a small percentage of travelers? Are groups of kids able to work together on environmental projects for the first time without ever being in the same place?

I like Anne Mirtschin’s eloquent thoughts in this post last January:

There was a time … I thought that:

• Christmas was celebrated by Christians across the world on the same day – 25th December
• New Year occurred for all on the 1st January each year
• All countries experience four seasons
• School years started and finished on the same dates globally
• Education was a right that all should and do experience

Now, through an amazing global professional network that spans countries across the world from developed to developing countries, across hemispheres, time zones, geographical barriers, language difficulties, ideologies, etc that my knowledge, understanding, perception and experience of the world is through the ‘eyes’, experiences, feelings and passions of those who live there. Empathy, tolerance, compassion and a deeper appreciation of what the world is about, why it is what it is and an ever increasing acceptance that the majority of global citizens want peace, happiness, a healthy world – a world featuring tolerance, empathy and generosity to those who have less.

Some questions for Twitter chat participants this April:

What global awareness “firsts” have you had as part of a global classroom collaboration – either as a participant, or leader?

Have you had a global awareness “first” as part of this Twitter chat?

Are virtual exchanges able to result in, “empathy, tolerance, compassion and a deeper appreciation of what the world is about”?

Chat Schedule

Chat 1 ~ Saturday, April 13th, 10:00 – 11:00 UTC

• 11:00 London, 12:00 (noon) Cape Town, 15:30 New Delhi, 18:00 Perth, 20:00 Sydney, 22:00 Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone.

Chat 2 ~ Saturday, April 13th, 18:00 – 19:00 UTC

• 11:00 Los Angeles, 14:00 New York, 19:00 London, 20:00 Cape Town, 06:00 SUNDAY – Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone.

Chat 3 ~ Sunday, April 14th, 01:00 – 02:00 UTC (Saturday in N & S America!)

• Saturday night – 18:00 Los Angeles, 21:00 New York
• Sunday – 06:30 New Dehli, 09:00 Perth, 11:00 Sydney, 13:00 Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone.

 

“an ever increasing acceptance that the majority of global citizens want peace, happiness, a healthy world “

KNOCK Those Classroom Walls DOWN!

WAIT a minute … before you take that TOO seriously, PLEASE continue reading. Put that sledge hammer down … we’re not talking demolition … we’re talking global connections! That’s right … you can’t BUILD global connections without FLATTENING those CLASSROOM walls!

There is something SO empowering when students feel personally invested in their learning journey!

This month, our #globalclassroom chat will focus on the POWER of blogging with your students. We are SO fortunate to be teaching in an age when the SKY is the LIMIT with technology. Skype has become a staple in MANY classrooms. No longer are BOOKS our sole way of learning about the world … and, while relying on Google to enrich our inquiries is STILL important, we are NOW able to connect in REAL time with others around the world. This ability to connect synchronously and asynchronously, collaborating with other classes on the other side of the WORLD, has changed our learning FOREVER. We are NO longer just learning ABOUT the world. We are in an age where we are learning WITH the world.

Writing for authentic reasons creates MAGIC moments when your students chant “We should BLOG about this!”

Some things to think about PRIOR to our February chat:

• Why is blogging a valuable tool for connecting and sharing global inquiries with a global audience?
• What skills can students develop by sharing their learning with a global audience?
• If you don’t have access to an NGO, (Non-Government Organization), where do you find collaboration opportunities? How can you find projects to join?
• How can you create you OWN inquiry to share?
• How do you fit it into EVERYTHING else you need to accomplish in a day?
• How do you come up with “post” ideas for your blog?
• What are some resources you use? Books? Sources of inspiration?
• How do you address digital citizenship? Global citizenship? Online safety?
• How do you attract readers to your classroom blog?

If you are interested in learning more about flattening YOUR walls and creating a global classroom for your students, you should DEFINITELY check out the Global Classroom Wiki and the Global Classroom Blog! This learning community is ALL about sharing and mentoring, and there are projects already on the go to help you get your feet wet or to continue to enrich you and your students’ learning journeys! TRUST me … once you START blogging with you students, connecting and learning WITH the world and no longer just ABOUT the world, you will NEVER look back!

After you’re done checking out THOSE awesome resources, mark the February #globalclassroom chat on your CALENDAR! See the times below … we’re looking forward to CONNECTING with you!

Chat 1 – Saturday – February 9th (10:00 GMT)

• 10AM London, 3.30PM New Delhi, 6PM Perth, 9PM Sydney (AEDT), 11PM Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone. 

Chat 2 – Saturday – February 9th (19:00 GMT) 

• 11AM Los Angeles, 2PM New York, 7PM London, 9PM Cape Town,
• 8AM SUNDAY – Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone.

Chat 3 – Saturday – February 9th / Sunday – February 10th (02:00 GMT) 

• Saturday night – 6PM Los Angeles, 9PM New York
• Sunday – 7.30AM New Dehli, 10AM Perth, 1PM Sydney, 3PM Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone

January #globalclassroom Chat Reflections: a HUGE Celebration of Collaboration and Community!

Photo shared by the Global Grade 3s.

#globalclassroom Vision: to uphold our new class motto: we learn WITH the world, not just ABOUT the world.

— brette lockyer (@brettelockyer) January 13, 2013

It’s hard to believe that the January #globalclassroom chats have already come and gone! The new schedule proved to be a huge success, with all three chats occurring within a 24 hour period. Although it was certainly a celebration, it was a powerful work party as well.

It was a WONDERFUL opportunity for participants to share their  highlights and SUCCESSES in a #globalclassroom as well as some of the FROGS that @iEARNUSA got us thinking about and sharing during the December “Eat that Frog” discussion. This specific “frog” chat was a highlight for MANY!

@rentonl A1: My favorite chat was about eating frogs! Overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of global activities. #globalclassroom

— Louise Morgan (@MrsMorgansClass) January 13, 2013

@rentonl My students learn as much when things don’t go as planned and that happens a lot. They roll with it now. LOVE THEM #globalclassroom

—Karen Lirenman (@KLirenman) January 13, 2013

Several fantastic suggestions were shared for future chats and have been saved in order to guide our journey going forward. Please remember that this is ALWAYS a working “document” of sorts, morphing and changing with the needs of our #globalclassroom participants. If you think of a topic that you would like to see explored you are urged to share it on the wiki or to contact @mgraffin!

@rentonlIdea for #globalclassroom – sharing literature to enhance global understanding

— brette lockyer (@brettelockyer) January 13, 2013

As I said this afternoon, would like to hear about international cross-curricular projects. #globalclassroom

— José Popoff (@JosePopoff) January 13, 2013

The #globalclassroom community is a vibrant, collaborative and generous one. People share willingly and eagerly. Even if you do NOT have a #globalclassroom, this is the place to begin discovering how EASY it is to bring the WORLD to your students, within the supportive #globalclassroom environment! After all, learning WITH the world, not just ABOUT the world, makes our learning authentic, personalized and meaningful!

@rentonl I just can’t believe how much my teaching has changed since I got connected. Lots of true friendships formed too.#globalclassroom

—Karen Lirenman (@KLirenman) January 13, 2013

Be sure to check the archives of these chats. Each contains a WEALTH of information, links and on-going projects! Thank you to EVERYONE for making this January chat a HUGE success! We COULDN’T do it WITHOUT you! We are looking forward to seeing you at the FEBRUARY #globalclassroom chats!

Come One, Come ALL … to the #globalclassroom January Chat!

Come One, Come ALL!

Photo by Krissy Venosdale

It’s a PARTY … okay … a WORKING party,  but a PARTY nonetheless!

What: Celebration Get Together!
Where: #globalclassroom chat
When: second week in January-ish (See new times and check time zones below.)
Who: anyone with a #globalclassroom or dream of creating a #globalclassroom … yes, you can BRING a FRIEND! After all, the MORE the MERRIER!

Photo by Krissy Venosdale

Bring your #globalclassroom celebrations, frustrations, (or as @iEARNUSA likes to say “frogs”), questions, hopes and DREAMS to our January 2013 chat! By beginning the year with an open discussion, this will be an opportunity for people to share their highlights and burning questions! After all:

“No one is as smart as ALL of us!”

~Japanese Proverb

Things to think about:

• your favourite #globalclassroom topic
• a highlight of your #globalclassroom journey
• some of the pitfalls you’ve overcome in your #globalclassroom
• your vision for the future, (hopes and dreams), for your #globalclassroom
• topics you would like to explore further during our upcoming #globalclassroom chats

Photo by Krissy Venosdale

Join the celebration!

NEW #globalclassroom Chat Schedule:

This month, we are implementing a NEW schedule for the #globalclassroom chats, which will now run over one 24 hour period, starting on the second Saturday of the month.

This is a significant change, so please check which time works for you, and put a note in your calendar!

Chat 1 – Saturday – January 12 (10:00 GMT)

• 10AM London, 3.30PM New Delhi, 6PM Perth, 9PM Sydney (AEDT), 11PM Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone. 

Chat 2 – Saturday – January 12 (19:00 GMT) 

• 11AM Los Angeles, 2PM New York, 7PM London, 9PM Cape Town,
• 8AM SUNDAY – Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone.

Chat 3 – Saturday 12th / Sunday 13th (02:00 GMT) 

• Saturday night – 6PM Los Angeles, 9PM New York
• Sunday – 7.30AM New Dehli, 10AM Perth, 1PM Sydney, 3PM Auckland
• Click here to find out when this is in YOUR timezone

*IMPORTANT NOTE:

Chat times are displayed in UTC+0/GMT+0 (Greenwich Mean Time – No Daylight Saving)
To convert the UTC/GMT time to YOUR time-zone, please click on the event description, and copy the event to your personal calendar. Or you may calculate the chat time for your area with the World Time Zone converter.

#globalclassroom Chat Archives

Hi all. We’ve been a little slack in posting the archives for the #globalclassroom chats – partly due to the arrival of Summer holidays here in Australia. We’ll all be back on deck in early 2013; however, here are the links to the archives from our last few chats:

November 2012: How can we support students to inquire into global issues that help develop empathy and compassion?

Archives

December 2012: How can we help our peers “eat their frogs ” so they can connect their classrooms globally?

Archives

Blog Responses

There’s a Frog in My Classroom

Frogs in the Pond – Helping Each Other Eat Frogs

 

See you in 2013

Eat That Frog!

This month’s topic comes to us courtesy of David Potter (@iearnusa) in California. 

Eating Frogs for Global Classrooms

Last week’s Global Education Conference generated a boatload of future #globalclassroom chat topics! The sessions were remarkable: inspiring, thought-provoking, entertaining, spontaneous, classroom-friendly, and inclusive of all time zones, ages, and viewpoints.

Throughout the week, I kept thinking, why aren’t thousands of classrooms worldwide joining these totally awesome free, anytime, anywhere sessions this week? And, more to the point, why aren’t millions of teachers and students collaborating with partners worldwide every day? As @ktvee put it during #ntchat:

Perhaps not that easy for most educators yet, but after this December’s #globalclassroom chat, maybe easier!

The chat topic title comes from a nifty Global Education Conference keynote by the awesome social meda maven Beth Kanter. While discussing procrastination, Beth asked us to “eat that frog,” as explained by author Brian Tracy:

An old saying is that “If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long!” Your “FROG” is the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it now! It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at the moment.

Click on the photo to take you to the youtube video “Eat that Frog” based on a quote by Brian Tracy and uploaded by simpletruthstv … if it’s the WORST thing you do all day … things are looking UP!

To further explore this idea this month’s #globalclassroom chat topic is:

How can we help our peers eat their frogs so they can connect their classrooms globally?

Some of the specific questions we will be exploring include:

• If you have a global classroom, what frog did you need to eat before you went global? A mentor? Administrative encouragement? More flexible curricula? Parental support? Personal motivation? Travel abroad? Host foreign exchange students and teachers? Better bandwidth? Professional development? Freedom to use social media? Classroom time flexibility? Community involvement?
• If you would like to go global, what frog do you feel you need help eating?
• What can frog-eating teachers with global classrooms do to help their peers eat their respective frogs?
• Bonus: eating frogs for global classrooms can be messy.  How do we best “learn to learn from each other, not just about each other?”

 

Please join us for our December chat.  The sharing and learning that comes from these discussions enriches our practice and the learning experiences of our students!  Check below for the time that best fits with your zone:

The #globalclassroom chats run monthly, starting on the second(-ish!) Saturday of the month.

We normally run three chats at three different time-zones, but will be transitioning to a new schedule in January 2013. From 2013, we will be running 3 chats over the weekend. More details soon.

Chat 1

Saturday, December 8, 17:00 – 18:00 UTC – N America, S America, Europe, Africa

• New York: midday (12:00), London: 5pm (17:00), Cape Town: 7pm (19:00), Bucharest: 7pm (19:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Chat 2

Sunday, December 9, 09:00 – 10:00 UTC – Europe, Asia, Australia

• London: 9am (09:00), Singapore: 5pm (17:00), Perth: 5pm (17:00), Tokyo: 6pm (18:00), Sydney: 8pm (20:00), Aukland: 10pm (22:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Chat times are displayed in UTC+0/GMT+0 (Greenwich Mean Time – No Daylight Saving)

To convert the UTC/GMT time to YOUR time-zone, please click on the event description, and copy the event to your personal calendar. Or you may calculate the chat time for your area with the World Time Zone converter.

Global Perspectives in Inquiry – #globalclassroom Chat (November 2012)

This month marks the ONE YEAR anniversary of the #globalclassroom chats. From humble beginnings, these chats have become a major monthly event on the global education calendar, and truly taken on a life of their own.

This month’s chat sees a slew of time changes in response to the start / end of daylight saving in various parts of the world, and an adjustment to the start time of Chat #3 in response to poor attendance over the past few months. We have tried to bring it into a more friendly time for our growing #globalclassroom community in the United Kingdom.

cc licensed ( BY SA ) flickr photo shared by quinn.anya

This month’s topic comes to us courtesy of Aimee Gale (@aimee_gale) in Australia. 

When I was asked by Michael Graffin to submit a question for the next global classroom chat, my thoughts went straight to inquiry. I am very passionate about creating authentic inquiries that help develop the whole student.

I believe it is important that inquiries are developed around rich concepts and essential questions that can inspire a child or an adult. Often one of the hardest elements in developing rich inquiries is making sure that they go further than just a theme. When planning for inquiry units I want them to involve students developing empathy and compassion and a deeper understanding of the world.

To further explore this idea this months #globalclassroom chat topic is:

How can we support students to inquire into global issues that help develop empathy and compassion?

Some of the specific questions we will be exploring include:

• Why is it important to use inquiry to help develop the whole child?
• What are some global issues that could be explored through a rich inquiry?
• How can making global connections help students develop empathy and compassion?
• Where could teachers find connections that can help their students explore global perspectives?
• How do you convince your planning team that exploring global perspectives is essential?

Chat Schedule – November 2012

Chat 1 - Saturday, November 10, 17:00 – 18:00 UTC – N America, S America, Europe, Africa

•  New York: 12pm (noon), London: 5pm (17:00), Cape Town: 7pm (19:00), Bucharest: 7pm (20:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your time-zone.

Chat 2 - Sunday, November 11, 09:00 – 10:00 UTC – Europe, Asia, Australia

•  London: 9am (9:00), Singapore: 5pm (17:00), Perth: 5pm (17:00), Tokyo: 6pm (18:00), Sydney: 8pm (20:00), Auckland: 10pm (22:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your time-zone.

Chat 3 - Monday November 12, 21:00 – 22:00 UTC – N America, S America / United Kingdom / Tuesday November 13 in Australia & Asia)

• MONDAY New York: 4pm (16:00), London: 9pm (21:00)
• TUESDAY Sydney: 8am (08:00), Auckland: 10am (10:00)
• OR click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

October #globalclassroom Chat Archives

The October #globalclassroom chats were a lively affair this month, with many teachers keen to share their thoughts, experiences, and advice about enabling teachers participation & engagement in global collaborative projects.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to actively participate in the chats this month, but having read through the archives, I know that they excelled as a great way for teachers to connect, share, learn and collaborate globally.

I hope you will take some time to read through the archives, and your thoughts and projects to our Google Doc.

Links

• Chat 1 – Archive
• Chat 2 – Archive
• Chat 3 – Archive
• Working in the Global Classroom (Crowd-sourced Google Doc)

Enabling Global Collaboration – October #globalclassroom Chats

 

This month’s #globalclassroom chats are a spin-off from my presentation at the Australian Computers in Education Conference, held last week right here in Perth, Western Australia.

As the co-founder & leader of The Global Classroom Project, I have learnt a great deal about the challenges, opportunities, and steep learning curve faced by teachers making their first connections beyond their classroom walls.

Issues faced range from finding collaboration partners, integrating global perspectives across the curriculum, and providing ongoing informal professional development for teachers involved in projects.

In this presentation, we will present a compelling rationale for global collaboration in education, and explore ways teachers can overcome the challenges they face as they begin to flatten their classroom walls.

In an effort to continue the discussions we started during the presentation, this month’s #globalclassroom chat topic is simplly:

How can we enable teachers and students to connect, share, learn, and collaborate globally?

Specifically;

• WHY should teachers and students explore ways to share, connect, and collaborate globally?
• WHAT  does global collaboration look like?
• HOW can we help teachers overcome the challenges and obstacles faced by teachers interested in flattening their classroom walls?
• WHERE can teachers find international partners, and access professional development to support their integration of global perspectives / collaboration across the curriculum?

What do you think?

Please join us for our October chats this coming weekend. Please check out the times below – please note that these times have changed due to due to the start of DST in some countries.

Chat 1 - Saturday, October 13, 17:00 – 18:00 UTC – N America, S America, Europe, Africa

• New York: 1pm (13:00), London: 6pm (18:00), Cape Town: 7pm (19:00), Bucharest: 8pm (20:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Chat 2 - Sunday, October 14, 09:00 – 10:00 UTC – Europe, Asia, Australia

• London: 10am (10:00), Singapore: 5pm (17:00), Perth: 5pm (17:00), Tokyo: 6pm (18:00), Sydney: 8pm (20:00), Aukland: 10pm (22:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Chat 3 - Monday October 15, 22:00 – 23:00 UTC – N America, S America  /     Tuesday October 16 in Australia and Asia)

• MONDAY New York: 6pm (18:00), London: 11pm (23:00)
• TUESDAY Sydney: 9am (09:00), Aukland: 11am (11:00)
• OR click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

September #globalclassroom Chat Reflection: “What is Global Taxonomy?”

Flickr Creative Commons Photo by wilmack

The September #globalclassroom chats proved, yet again, to be an engaging conversation around the magic of flattening your classroom, connecting with others around the globe and collaborative sharing by participants. Our topic, “What is Global Taxonomy”, inspired by the tremendous work done by Julie Lindsay & Vicki A. Davis in Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds, proved to be lively and informative.

When asked if there was a progression of global collaboration, it became quickly apparent that there are MANY valuable global projects taking place at all levels within the education system, at each of the levels within the GlobalTaxonomy. There is truly NO lack of opportunity to become involved in taking your classroom global, and this #globalclassroom community shares readily and willingly! Many of the projects are predesigned, “managed global connections” described as level 3 within the Global Taxonomy framework:

@rentonl Yes! @tashacowdy and I were partnered in K Around the World last year, & this year @jasongraham99 is joining us. #globalclassroom

— Michelle Hiebert (@MauiMickey) September 15, 2012

The younger the students in your care, however, the greater the intentional scaffolding needs to be. Modelling, focused large group experiences and discussions around digital citizenship, online safety, quality commenting and etiquette are critical pieces of the puzzle which must be thoughtfully addressed and revisited often as you strive toward “gradual release” moving up the levels of this Taxonomy.

@swaygrantham @mauimickey That scaffolding is SO critical, though – the growth in independence & “voice” dev is inspiring. #globalclassroom — Laurie Renton (@RentonL) September 15, 2012

The tools classrooms are using to connect and share globally are as diverse as our learners and inquiries are:

@rentonl K Around the World pairs classes fr different locations to tweet and connect w/ each other. kinderchat123.net/2011/10/kinder… #globalclassroom — Michelle Hiebert (@MauiMickey) September 15, 2012

Children as young as Kindergarten are learning how to tweet! It is certainly inspiring to hear that classrooms now include such 21st Century jobs as “class tweeter” and “class photographer” to capture the learning which is later shared through blogging … gone are the days of the “blackboard cleaner”!

Skype is a logical, inexpensive and synchronous tool for connecting our students in real time, as are video conferences, live meetings and chats! The use of asynchronous tools, such as wikis, blogs, google docs, podcasts, e-mail, as well as posting to websites, etc., provide invaluable opportunities to further share our learning discoveries and to continue our learning with a global audience.

Through the tireless and talented efforts of @clivesir, each of these monthly chats are archived and absolutely worth checking out. Even better, this chat is held at three different times during the month, in order to accommodate as many time zones as possible. Although the topic remains the same for each, it is always interesting to see how they develop differently, as a direct result of our own differences in perspective and experience! Check below for the archive links to September’s #globalclassroom chats:

September 15, 2012

September 16, 2012

September 17, 2012 (still being archived)

@rentonl definitely and similar ideas spark others! Always good to hear what there is out there. Thanks for link #globalclassroom

— Sway Grantham (@SwayGrantham) September 15, 2012

These #globalclassroom chats, held the second or third week of each month, are priceless opportunities for connecting with others interested in flattening the walls of their classrooms. The resources, projects and conversation shared will have you bookmarking, favouriting and researching for WEEKS to come!

@tashacowdy I TOTALLY agree … certainly not enough of it happening … YET! Once people get their TOES wet … there’s NO looking back!

— Laurie Renton (@RentonL) September 16, 2012

 

Go ahead … JOIN an already established project or create your own based on your desired outcomes … but DEFINITELY get your TOES wet! It will be WORTH it!

 

What is Global Taxonomy? (September #globalclassroom Chats)

A strategic methodology for taking students from connecting within your classroom to connecting with the world.

“If global collaboration were easy, we wouldn’t have to teach it.”

Julie Lindsay & Vicki A. Davis

flickr creative commons photo by noticelj

In Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds, Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis suggest using “a steady methodology for taking students from connecting within your classroom to connecting with the world”. The authors describe a taxonomy of five levels:

Level 1: Intra-connection (within your own class)
Level 2: Inter-connection (within school / district)
Level 3: Managed global connection (class to class)
Level 4: Student to student (with teacher management)
Level 5 Student to student (with student management)

The taxonomy is a progression from one level to the next, through thoughtful planning and gradual release. The strategies, tools and products will vary depending on the context, developmental level and experience of the students. In a school where global collaboration is school wide, younger children may end up being more experienced in global collaboration than older students in a school that does not have such a culture. For deeper insight into each of the taxonomy levels explored below, please see The Flat Classroom Storify.

There are many strategies for how to support and encourage global collaboration at each level. This blog post examines each level and how teachers can support, recognise and foster global collaboration though these taxonomies.

Within Level 1, developing intra-connections within your own classroom can be as simple as having students working in partners within close proximity to edit a class wiki or a collaborative document together. Gradually, greater physical distance is placed between the working partners. Soon, students begin to work across the room from their partners, with limited face-to-face interaction. This can be a very powerful way of experiencing the challenges that can come up when you are not longer working side by side with your partner, effectively mimicking a fully developed global project where participants work together across many miles.

As one moves up the Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds pyramid, students begin to communicate through digital connections. Within Level 2, inter-connections are developed between other classes within a school or within the school district. This distance provides powerful teaching opportunities through the use of synchronous, (skype, video conferences, live meetings or chats), and asynchronous tools, (wikis, blogs, podcasts, e-mail, posting to websites, etc.). This level can provide greater opportunities for authentic discussions involving collaboration, digital footprints and citizenship.

Level 3 provides schools with the opportunity to join programs which have already been developed, such as The Lucky Ladybug Project, Shoeless and Bark, and the Life ‘Round Here digital storytelling project, and is a “managed global connection”. Since these programs often have a predetermined outcome, often downloadable materials and prescribed lesson plans are provided. This level moves students out of the ‘inner circle” into communicating with others at a variety of distances.

The student to student connections which are “teacher managed” in Level 4 is the beginning of authentic student global connections. Julie and Vicki describe this as a “jigsaw” of activities. Students may have their own learning goals and, once students have completed their individual pieces of the “research” puzzle, they come together to share their learning with classmates. As the title suggests, the teacher is the project leader. It is their job to facilitate and direct the learning path of the project. The presentations that often go along with this type of project create powerful learning experiences for both the presenters and the audience members.

At the top of the Global Connection pyramid is Level 5: student to student connections where the classroom walls have been completely flattened, students manage the project and the teacher is on the sidelines offering encouragement and coaching as the project grows. It is this level of project which, according to Julie and Vicki, best prepares our students for “the participatory, collaborative environment in today’s work environment and will provide students with real world marketable, beneficial online leadership skills”.

The BEST place to begin a global connection project is by thinking about your learning objectives and desired outcomes, as well as the age of the students you are working with. If you have never ventured into this exciting learning territory before and are worried about the best way to test the waters, it is often easiest to start by joining a project which has already been developed. Believe me, once you try it you will NEVER look back!

What do you think?

1. How do you scaffold global learning from class to world?
2. Is there a ‘progression’ of global collaboration?
3. How does global learning/collaboration differ between younger and older learners?
4. How do you ensure that students have the skills and understanding necessary to participate in a global collaboration project?
5. Which tools do you find most useful for global collaboration?
6. How do you embed global learning in a school’s culture?
7a. Is it important that all students contribute in a project?
7b. If so, how do you ensure this?
8. What are some of the key ingredients of successful global collaboration?
9. What are some of your global collaboration successes?

Please join us for our September chat.  The sharing and learning that comes from these discussions enriches our practice and the learning experiences of our students!
Check below for the time that best fits with your time zone:

Schedule

Saturday, September 15 – USA, Europe, Africa (17:00 – 18:00 GMT)

• New York: 1PM (13:00), London: 6PM (18:00), Cape Town: 7PM (19:00), Bucharest: 8PM (20:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your time zone.

Sunday, September 16 – Asia / Europe ( 9:00 – 10:00 GMT)

• London: 10AM (10:00), Singapore: 5PM (17:00), Tokyo: 6PM (18:00), Sydney: 7PM (19:00), Wellington: 9PM (21:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your time zone.

Monday / Tuesday September 17/18 (22:00 – 23:00 GMT)

• MONDAY New York: 6PM (18:00), London: 11PM (23:00)
• TUESDAY Hong Kong: 6AM (06:00), Sydney: 8AM (08:00), Auckland: 10AM (10:00)
• OR click here to find out when this chat runs in your time zone.

August #globalclassroom Chat Archives & Reflections

Image: Connections I Found on flickrcc.net

This month’s #globalclassroom chats were a fascinating affair, enabling many people to make new global connections, and explore tools and strategies for global collaborative projects.

These chats were personally very significant, as I discovered a fellow West Australian educator participating in the chats for the very first time. Trust me, this was cause for celebration!

Topic: Global Communication Tools: the importance of, and sources for, connecting beyond your classroom.

As Mark Otter was unable to participate in the chats due to other commitments, we asked our moderators to share their thoughts and reflections on the chats:

Laurie Renton (@RentonL), who managed to attend two chats, was struck by the diversity of the #globalclassroom conversations ….

This time around, I saw SUCH value in visiting the archives of these discussions. The links shared are invaluable. The varied experiences shared by each of the participants brought such a richness to each of the discussions. Both hours went by SO quickly, and people were SO engaged, than many of us continued to share long after the hour was up!

Donna Roman (@DonnaRoman) and Maggie Powers (@mpowers3) teamed up to moderate the Tuesday night chat, and did an amazing job as first-time moderators.

Their chat explored many of the lessons we’ve learn the hard way, and reflect the considerable experience of some amazing global educators. As Maggie writes;

I’d say the key take-away message was the idea that regardless of the tools, you need passion and authenticity for global projects to happen and work well, this means connecting with “real people” and focusing on a meaningful topic that is directly related to kids’ interests/wonderings.

In terms of specific tools, Twitter came up throughout the chat as a tool to create a global network (for class partnerships) and as a stepping stone for future collaboration / projects.

Storybird was also named as a tool to use with young learners, as well as Google Docs, Skype, Facetime, (quad)blogging, wikis, and projects like Flat Class and Global Classroom Projects. These two projects, in conjunction with iEARN were the main ways people seemed to find classroom partners.

There was a discussion about how some tools (e.g., asynchronous ones) may be better than others when dealing with practical concerns like time zones, such as Voicethread.

The idea was also raised that there’s a need for teachers to have a certain amount of global awareness before asking their students to cultivate that awareness and use these tools.

Finally, we briefly discussed the fact that some schools have a school-wide approach to #globaled (e.g., it’s part of school improvement plan) while other teachers are working independently to get involved in projects and connect their schools. Some teachers are doing this by linking global projects to PBL or Common Core.

Finally, we’d like to warmly thank Julia Skinner (@TheHeadsOffice), who returned to moderate her second #globalclassroom chat, and who has done such an amazing job in growing these chats.

And thanks also go to @clivesir, who quietly and expertly archives the chats each month. You will find the archives for the August #globalclassroom chats here.

Please take a moment to explore, and share your thoughts. We look forward to seeing you for our next chats!

http://theglobalclassroomchats.wikispaces.com/Chat+Archives

Global Communication Tools – August #globalclassroom Chat

By Dr Julius Neubronner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The August #globalclassroom chats are upon us, and this month’s question and discussion post comes to us courtesy of Mark Otter, Chief Academic Officer at VIF International Education. (@markjotter).

Global Communication Tools: the importance of, and sources for, connecting beyond your classroom.

Life in the global village creates exciting opportunities for teaching and learning. Instead of reading about the daily lives of young people in Bogotá, Colombia, today’s learners can learn this information firsthand through direct communication with experts and peers living in the country.

Technology available today eliminates the walls of the classroom. The classroom becomes the entire world. Teachers choose how and when to expand their classroom for their students and maximize their learning.

What do you think?

• Why you think global collaboration is important?
• How does connecting beyond your classroom spark student engagement and increase student learning of curricular concepts?
• How have you collaborated globally or locally beyond the classroom?
• How do you as educators guarantee that as your students connect with others they do so responsibly and efficiently?
• Often, the first step in taking on such a project is to find a classroom to partner with. How have you found partners?
• How have you created a social space for students to get to know each other on an informal level?
• How do you find the time to set up a global collaboration project?
• How do you deal with issues, such as time zone differences, in your projects?
• What are some tips and suggestions you have for running a successful global collaboration project with your students?

Please join us for our August chat. The sharing and learning that comes from these discussions enriches our practice and the learning experiences of our students!

Check below for the time that best fits with your zone:

Chat Details – August 2012 *

Chat 1 – Saturday, August 18, 17:00 – 18:00 GMT – N America, S America, Europe, Africa

• New York: 1pm (13:00), London: 6pm (18:00), Cape Town: 7pm (19:00), Bucharest: 8pm (20:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Chat 2 – Sunday, August 19, 09:00 – 10:00 GMT – Europe, Asia, Australia

• London: 10am (10:00), Singapore: 5pm (17:00), Perth: 5pm (17:00), Tokyo: 6pm (18:00), Sydney: 7pm (19:00), Wellington: 9pm (21:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Chat 3 – Monday August 20, 22:00 – 23:00 GMT – N America, S America (Tuesday August 21 in Australia and Asia)

• MONDAY New York: 6pm (18:00), London: 11pm (23:00)
• TUESDAY Sydney: 8am (08:00), Aukland: 10am (10:00)
• OR click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

* These chats normally start on the second Saturday of the month (last week). Our apologies for the mix up

July #globalclassroom chat reflections: “Blogging as a Vehicle for Global Inquiry”

Flickr Creative Commons vaXzine

It is hard to believe that the #globalclassroom chat is over for July. This month, I had the incredible opportunity to moderate a discussion around the power of “Blogging as a Vehicle for Global Inquiry”. This was a BONUS month for me, though. Since I am currently on summer break, I actually had the privilege of taking part in TWO of the three chats that are offered monthly in order to include as many time zones and people around the globe.

It was interesting for me to see how diverse these two chats were. Diverse as a result of the participants. Diverse because of the personal experiences and interests that each of these chat participants brought to the conversation. This is a GOOD thing. We learn not because of our similarities but because of our differences. Together we truly ARE stronger.

While the topic was intended to explore blogging as a form of enriching and deepening one’s Global Citizenship Inquiries within the classroom, rich conversations arose through the participants’ varied uses of classroom blogging. Some used blogging as a way of enhancing the writing process, much like electronic journal entries. Others used it as a way of sharing learning discoveries after Skype experiences. Some used their blogs as a way of communicating various learning experiences through a wide array of curricular areas. Blogging, for others, was a way of sharing a very specific inquiry journey with their global audience.

Regardless of how blogging is handled, from one classroom to another, a classroom blog can have the great potential to flatten the walls of a classroom:

@RentonL @iEARNUSAA blog can do this so long as the power of pull is in play.How do you attract readers is an impt ?. #globalclassroom

— Mary Ann Reilly (@MaryAnnReilly) July 16, 2012

A blog can be as INTERACTIVE with a global audience as you choose to allow it to become. Depending on the purpose of one’s class blog, a rich learning potential arises when you begin to interact meaningfully with the global audience through comments left on your blog. As Mary Ann Reilly so succinctly puts this in the tweet above, a blog can only truly flatten the classroom walls, can only TRULY create meaningful global connections when there is a “push and a pull in play”. Attracting readers, “reeling them in” so that a relationship is cultivated, is achieved by responding thoughtfully to each and every comment left behind by your readers.

@RentonL @iEARNUSA I never know when an encounter will set me off on long comments. Something clicks & my mind races. #globalclassroom

— Ross Mannell (@RossMannell) July 16, 2012

One thing is certain: the harder you work to include your global readers, by asking questions, responding to their comments and reeling them in by asking MORE questions, deeper learning will occur for you, your students AND your readers. Ross Mannell has certainly reinforced this for me on SO many levels.

A global inquiry shared through blogging has the ability to be woven into many curricular areas. Again, it is a matter of looking for opportunities to pull in math, science, social studies and literacy potential:

@markjotter Woo HOO so fun to watch “how do we get from 1367 to 1575″ and see them doing in their heads (Gr 3) #globalclassroom

— Laurie Renton (@RentonL) July 16, 2012

This is one very powerful way of helping to deal with the many student learner outcomes which must be addressed with your students during the course of the year as well as with the time constraints we all feel daily.

I feel blessed to be a part of the #globalclassroom community. This PLN pushes me, inspires me and helps to enrich my practice. I love that these chats are archived because so many amazing resources are shared during these discussions. Global connections are made:

@RentonL @MrsSchmidtB4 Would love to connect also. Please follow our school library Twitter account @StMaryLibrary #globalclassroom

— Greg Miller (@millerg6) July 16, 2012

What a lovely way of staying current, connected and inspired. What a beautiful way to deepen meaningful learning for our students. The #globalclassroom chat schedule is written in indelible ink upon my calendar …it has become a necessary part of my learning journey.

Blogging as a Vehicle for Global Inquiry (#globalclassroom Chats – July 2012)

To Blog, or NOT to Blog … THAT is the question:

How a Classroom Blog Can Enrich Your Global Citizenship Inquiries?

Creative Commons WoodleyWonderworks

The question for this month’s #globalclassroom chat comes to us courtesy of Laurie Renton, who teaches Grade Three in Alberta, Canada. (@RentonL)

Global Citizenship opportunities are abundant in our connected world.  Our mandated curricula contains countless valuable citizenship “learner outcomes” woven in and through various subject areas. Rich with potential for meaningful global connections and inquiry … they are ripe and waiting for development.

Skype is a wonderful way of getting global connections started.  There is something magical about connecting students with other classrooms and experts beyond their “classroom walls”.  This experience can offer our students the chance to learn more about the communities and concepts they are required to learn about in a far more robust and personalized manner than simply exploring a textbook or conducting google searches.

So … how can we FURTHER engage our students in this work?  What is the next logical step?  Blogging can be a natural extension of your inquiry.

Blogging is a valuable tool because it allows students to:

• reflect upon and share their discoveries with a global audience
• explore and wonder about questions and big ideas
• write authentically and publish to a global audience
• create dialogue with a global audience
• connect in a meaningful and personalized way with the curriculum
• educate others and spread awareness
• enhance their communication skills
• further develop digital citizenship and online safety skills in an authentic context
• explore multiple modes of expression

What do you think?

• How can a classroom blog deepen your global citizenship inquiry?
• How will students write? Large group, small group, individually?
• How do you keep up with all the comments left on your blog?
• How do you develop a “voice” as bloggers?
• How do you find the time to post regularly?
• What other skills can students discover, beyond writing, while they blog?
• What tools do students enjoy and follow closely on their blog?
• How do you fit everything else into your day in order to meet other curricular demands?

Please join us for our July chat.  The sharing and learning that comes from these discussions enriches our practice and the learning experiences of our students!  

Check below for the time that best fits with your time zone:

Schedule

Saturday, July 14 – USA, Europe, Africa (17:00 – 18:00 GMT)

• New York: 1PM (13:00), London: 6PM (18:00), Cape Town: 7PM (19:00), Bucharest: 8PM (20:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Sunday, July 15 - Asia / Europe ( 9:00 – 10:00 GMT)

• London: 10AM (10:00), Singapore: 5PM (17:00), Tokyo: 6PM (18:00), Sydney: 7PM (19:00), Wellington: 9PM (21:00)
• Or click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.

Monday / Tuesday July 16/17 (22:00 – 23:00 GMT)

• MONDAY New York: 6PM (18:00), London: 11PM (23:00)
• TUESDAY Hong Kong: 6AM (06:00), Sydney: 8AM (08:00), Auckland: 10AM (10:00)
• OR click here to find out when this chat runs in your timezone.