The Travelling Scrapbook Project

Cross-posted from my personal blog – mgraffin.edublogs.org. Originally published May 2013.

A little over a year ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea … What if we could create a physical artefact of global collaboration? What if we could create something to demonstrate the power of global connections with our schools, communities, and the world?

And thus, the travelling scrapbook project was born. 

Since March 2012, I’ve coordinated the extraordinary journeys of three #globalclassroom scrapbooks around the world.

As of May 2013, the scrapbooks have been hosted by 16 teachers, in 10 countries; and travelled in excess of 122 400 km (76 055 miles) – which is equivalent to circumnavigating the globe THREE times!

Our participant students and teachers around the world have embraced the opportunity to share a little of their lives, cultures, schools, and countries with the wider global community; and their contributions to our travelling scrapbooks are a true testament to the power of global collaboration.

One journey is coming to an end

Scrapbook #2 came home last week.

It bears the stains and wear and tear that you’d expect from a document which has travelled well over 47 563 km (29 554 miles) over the past year. It’s been to Brasil, Guatemala, … was lost in Honduras, … Texas, and New York City (USA). It’s been shared with children around the world, and its journey is coming to an end.

It’s hard to describe what its like to hold this document in your hands … It’s the embodiment of a dream … made reality through the efforts of teachers and students who’ve I’ve yet to meet face to face. The stories, the photos, the sketches … make this a unique, and very special physical artefact of global collaboration.

Sadly #2 is in no condition to continue on its’ global travels through the mail system, but there is one last trip in store … It will travel (in my suitcase) to the iEARN 2013 conference in Doha, Qatar … in just over two weeks time, where I’ll be presenting on the Travelling Scrapbook Project, and launching a new spin-off iEARN scrapbook project.

But, the journey continues

The Global Classroom Travelling Scrapbooks have become a unique, special part of the #globalclassroom community, and the remaining scrapbooks will continue on their travels for some years to come.

I’m planning the introduction of at least two new books in the coming months, so I’m looking forward to seeing this project evolve and develop over time.

I’d love to have scrapbooks touring Europe and the Middle East, … and I’m now starting to wonder if we can get the scrapbooks to travel more than half a million kilometres?

It might take a few years, but let’s see …

 

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 “

iEARN is 25! And Teddy Bears are in the Front!

Maple in Taiwan from mali bickley on Vimeo.

Although we have participated in iEARN projects before, for the first time a Kindergarten class in our school, Mill Creek Elementary in Geneva, IL, USA, participated in the Teddy Bear Project through iEARN. It’s been great hearing about their exchange with Wen Ya Elementary in Taiwan. Although we were not part of this video or the iEARN post linked below, we loved seeing all of those happy students!

iEARN. What a great organization. There are many global collaborative education organizations out there now, but iEARN…well, they were the true cutting edge for us all. They have only become stronger in their numbers, larger in their geographic reach and curriculum scope, and more influential during their 25 years. Lucky for all of us, they have retained all of their professional generosity, humanity and incredible inclusiveness. They are true leaders in every possible way. Happy 25th iEARN! I’m proud to be among your many admirers and participant teachers.

Take a look at David Potter’s iEARN’s post about the Teddy Bear Project. It is really fun.

Starting Out with iEARN Global Projects

iEARN is the world’s largest global education community, providing a range of projects, and fantastic professional learning opportunities for K-12 teachers.

For more information, please visit http://www.iearn.org/, or tweet @iEARNUSA or @iEARNAustralia.

This post originally appeared on the iEARN USA blog under the title “Global Projects to Start the School Year“.

If you haven’t already visited our brand new Collaboration Centre here’s a video (with a catchy song) to get you in the mood for the new school year!

Following the video are some recommended projects that are active throughout the school year, but our members find successful for engaging their students in global collaborative project work at the start of the year.

My Name Around the world: On-going for a few years now, the My Name Project is a popular project for introducing students to global collaboration. The theme motivates them to use their creativity in writing by posting an acrostic poem of their name and sharing it with their peers around the world.

Side by Side: The visual impact of this project is moving – and fun, but it also creates a space to learn about other cultures. We launched ourAugust Campaign around it’s theme.

Learning Circles: Registration is open now. Circles start in September and run through December. If you’re interested in working with a select grouping  of teachers and students from around the world committed to a specific timeframe and working on assigned weekly activities, this is the place to start.

Public Art: Art in this form is one of the most powerful ways to engage a community in reflection and dialogue. By researching, sharing and discussing local public artwork using Web 2.0 tools, your students will have a greater appreciation for the messages conveyed and their impact.

Teddy Bear: Don’t we love to send and receive a package in the mail! This visiting bear allows your students to learn about life in another country with a partner class and share your culture in a hands-on exciting way.

Holiday Card Exchange: Your students will learn about holidays and dates observed around the world by creating cards to send to their peers through postal mailings.

All iEARN global projects correlate to the Common Core State Standards. Visit our Professional Development page for sample project lesson plans by iEARN educators who have aligned their collaborations and curriculum to the standards.

For the full listing of projects in the coming year, visit the Collaboration Centre.

Also, remember to check into the iEARN Teacher’s Lounge to find partners, get updates on classroom activities across all projects, ask questions, share your learning and feel part of a global family of learners.

We’re looking forward to seeing the ways you bring the world into your classroom this year! 

Building Partnerships with Schools in Developing Countries – June #globalclassroom Chats

This month’s topic comes to us from my good friend Clive Elsmore (@clivesir), who has worked extensively as a volunteer teacher in India and Sri Lanka over the past few years.

In his own words, …  

As classroom teachers, we understand the value of making global connections, and the benefits of learning and sharing with different cultures around the world. We make contacts through web searches, databases or through acquaintances in social media, setting up Skype sessions, sharing blogs or voicethreads, comparing and contrasting with junior voices in far-off lands.

Undeniably, there are huge benefits to be had. But the very technology which facilitates the connections to different cultures also restricts its diversity.

The reality in many classrooms around the globe is that there is no electricity, let alone any laptops or Internet connection. When you connect through the web to a networked school in a developing country you must realise that that school is probably atypical of that general society.

As developing societies are potentially less affected by the transforming effects of technological connections, sharing with them offers huge opportunities for learning on both sides. For them, contacting you takes a lot of effort which is only worthwhile if it results in a long-term relationship. From your perspective, you may want to make contact, share, and then move on to the next objective on your curriculum. And then there’s the difficulty of connecting with unconnected schools in the first place!

Is it possible to overcome these obstacles?

Which brings us to this month’s discussion question:

How can we connect with and build collaborative partnerships with schools in developing countries? 

In particular, how can we collaborate with schools which don’t have electricity or an internet connection?

Some potential topics for discussion:

• Where can we find these connections?
• How can we tap into the hidden potential of schools in developing countries?
• Examples of real educational projects which teachers can join which don’t require an online collaboration.
• The critical role of the @iEARN network in facilitating global access to schools and potential collaboration partners in the developing world.

Schedule

Saturday, June 16 – USA, Europe, Africa (17:00 – 18:00 GMT)

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

Sunday, June 17 – Asia / Europe ( 9:00 – 10:00 GMT)

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

Monday / Tuesday June 18 / 19 (22:00 – 23:00 GMT)

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

You can add our official #globalclassroom chats Google Calendar to your schedule here.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a very engaging discussion.