Are you interested in creating and running your very own global collaborative project?
Do you have an idea, but are not sure where to start?
Are you struggling to find global collaboration partners?
Need a professional mentor?
Then why not explore the possibilities with Global Classroom 2012-13?
Over the past few years, we’ve “built the collaborative spaces, resources, and community to enable teachers and students to share, learn and collaborate globally” … and we’ve succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
The goal of this project is to learn how Christmas is celebrated around the world. Students will be able to see the differences and similarities between themselves and others around the world. Teachers and students can add to the VoiceThread by uploading photos and videos. They can also leave comments and ask questions.
iEARN is the world’s largest global education community, providing a range of projects, and fantastic professional learning opportunities for K-12 teachers.
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 Campaignaround 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!
Over the past year, this amazing project has grown beyond all expectations, and exceeded our wildest dreams. We have built a true learning community, one which will continue to develop, grow, and evolve over the years to come.
We hope you can join us this weekend at our closing webinars for 2011-12. We will be celebrating our achievements and learning from the past year, and looking forward to Global Classroom 2012-13.
The webinars will be held in BlackBoard Collaborate, and the recordings and slides will be shared after the session. We know this is a busy time for many teachers (particularly those planning their holidays), but we hope you will be able to join us for these very special presentations.
Where?
To join us, please click on this: Participant Link about 20 minutes prior to the session. (There will be a brief training session immediately prior for people new to BlackBoard Collaborate.)
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)
Forget March 7th and that thing called the iPad3…whatever that is…
The real landmark date and time is March 1st 2012, 2:20pm AEDST!
The first presentation of the Student Conference Series, a project that allows students to share their amazing work that they are doing with other students around the world!
If you would like to know more about this innovative project please visit the website at:
There has been massive interest in the Student conference Series to date so now it’s time for the exciting part! The Call for Presentations. In the first Student Conference Series Newsletter there was information about how your students can nominate for the Student Conference Series. Below, I have included the link for those of you who didn’t receive the email on Friday. If you need me to add you to our mailing list send me an email or a DM on Twitter!
