I’ve written before about the possibilities and difficulties associated with global or “flat world” projects. This is an area of learning that I am really fascinated by and hope to get a feasible project off the ground next year (as we only have about five weeks of class time remaining until the summer holidays).
[slideshare id=140143&doc=global-projects-presentation-1192860619592528-3&w=425]
I gave a workshop on global projects last week because this is one way that we can meaningfully use the new 1:1 environment to create engaging and authentic learning rather than using the laptops as glorified typewriters. The aims of global projects are to empower, enable and connect students around the world using technology.
Global projects can foster:
* Cross-Cultural Communication
* Collaboration
* Citizenship
* Creativity
Skills developed by global projects can include:
* Multiple Literacies: digital, cultural, media,
* Communication
* Critical thinking
* Synthesis and summary
*Information literacy, research, validation, authentication of facts
* Negotiation and collaboration
Examples of projects we had a look at included:
Flat Planet Project
1001 Flat World Tales
International teen life
Global Cooling Collective
The real world actually
Young Writers 07
Mission Possible
Charlotte’s Web Writing Project
The Flat Classroom Project
The Flat Classroom Project overview video
Download Video: Posted by julielindsay at TeacherTube.com.
I also pointed colleagues who were interested to the following sites, which are dedicated to globalised education:
TakingITglobal
Global education collaborative
The Learning Foundation
Global SchoolNet Foundation
International and Educational Resource Network
1:1 Flat Classroom Network
Kim Cofino, has uploaded this Developing the Global Student presentation, which discusses “Practical Ways for Infusing 21st Century Literacy Skills in Your Classroom.” She has also created a global collaborations wiki that lists a range of projects from the Learning 2.0 Conference in Shanghai
[slideshare id=138266&doc=developing-the-global-student-1192710777188581-4&w=425]
Argh, that summer/winter bit is killing me! I was just about to contact you about planning for 1001 when I get a writing class from January to June.
Any months in that timeframe work for you?
Hey,
great to hear from you – we start at the end of January – how does that sound? I’m sure we can work around it…
You too 🙂
Late January sounds great. Might have time to breathe by then. This 1:1 transition is relentless, but exhilarating.
Cindy,
I, too, hope to get some sort of global collaborative project off of the ground shortly. What age level do you deal with?
Hi Patrick,
I have 5 classes years 9-12 (15-18 years), in English (2) and History (3). The year 9s could be a good place to start. What are you teaching? We start the new school year in January so classes aren’t definite until later in the year but my Elective History courses are quite open in terms of content. Year 12 is quite difficult as it’s driven by the large amount of content that has to be covered for the exam (HSC) equivalent of SATs. Do you have any ideas about what you’d like to do?
Cindy
Great presentation! Thanks for sharing mine as well. All of these global collaborations are so exciting!