How do we instill a global awareness in our students? We will discuss several tools that can be used in the classroom to connect to far away places!

Technology = Connection

Global Projects

My Hero project enlighten and inspire people of all ages with an ever-growing internet archive of hero stories from around the world.

iEARN  world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world.

TakingITGlobal online community that connects youth to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities.

Global SchoolNet engages teachers and students in meaningful project learning exchanges with people around the world to develop literacy and communication skills, foster teamwork and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create multi-cultural understanding.

CILC

Some Asynchronous Ways of Making Connections

• ePals
• voicethread
• wikis -"writeon"wiki

Field Trips  

• ProjectExplorer K-12 virtual trip showcases
• MeetMeAttheCorner virtual fieldtrips geared to children ages 7-12.

   

Synchronous - Videoconferencing

Skype

Skype^™ is a free software program that when installed on your computer works with your Internet connection to turn your computer into an Internet phone, allowing you to make Skype-to-Skype calls to anyone in the world at any time for Free. 

Resources

• Skype in Education
• Skypeinschools wiki
• Getting Started in Classroom
• Installation Guide
• Skype Help

Ideas:  "Who you gonna call?"

Some additional ideas for using skype in your classroom include:

• 50 Ways To Use Skype In The Classroom
• Skype other classrooms Collaboration with another class or school
• Skype an Author
• Virtual Tours or Field Trips
• Guest Speakers? Weather Man (see Skype for Educator list linked below)
• me? emaiden3    mwedwards815

Skype for Educators is a list of experts willing to skype into classrooms. On this google doc, you can find a list of names and contact information as well as what they feel comfortable speaking about to your class or school.

• What a great way to bring people into your classroom that might not be able to get there any other way
• Think of the experiences you can provide for your students
• If you would be interested in adding your name to this list of willing individuals, please see this page:
• "Are you an educator willing to share ideas through Skype? If you have a skill or expertise that you would like to share with educators around the world, or visit classroom to classroom, please input your information here. Examples: authors, illustrators, career visits, experts on history, sciences, math, etc. Please be sure to fill in all applicable form fields to assist users with narrowing down the expertise by topic."