Learning Around the World in 8 Ways
In today's digital world there are so many possibilities for connecting our students to their global peers that it can be overwhelming. By joining a network of educators who have experience in supporting individual student learning through collaborative learning projects, you reap the benefit of their expertise in managing, connecting, planning, and implementing a project that will fit within your learning environment while empowering each of your learners.
Active participation strategy: Travel Time (great to use a diagnostic assessment)
1- International Dot Day (#DotDay #MakeYourMark) is September 15th. It was born out of Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot. You can sign up, get connected to a network of other classrooms through the International Dot Day website. Here is a blog that my students write about their experiences with Dot Day 2013 and a slideshow of all of our events. I also created a Pinterest board of Dot Day inspiration. In Literacy Today Online, I shared some additional ways that you empower your learners through Dot Day and other collaborative literacy activities, Through the Pages: Digital Journeys, Connections, and Communities.
2- Global Read Aloud (#GRA18) takes place in the Fall each year. You can begin your journey at the Global Read Aloud website. This project is always a highlight for my students each year, I have written much about the power of these connections: One Book to Connect the World, Through the Pages: Digital Journeys, Connections, and Communities, Looking to Connect Your Students? First Steps in Social Media, A Wow Way to Support Student Learning, and Oh the Places They Can Go: Sharing the Journey to Destinations Unknown. Be sure to check out my Global Read Aloud resources page that is full of ideas to get your students reading, writing, connecting, discussing, analyzing, collaborating, and having fun.
3- Flipgrid is a fantastic ways for students to connect and discuss their learning. Often we have students who are shy and reticent to participate in class or small group discussions. It may be due to a lack of understanding, a fear of peer ridicule, an exceptional need, being introverted, or lack of English proficiency. With Flipgrid, learners can respond to an open-ended question or prompt using video. It's also a great platform to share book reviews, book chats, or become guest readers for students in other classrooms. This is a great way to assess your students by "listening" to their conversations.Flipping for Book Chats with Flipgrids.
4- Quadblogging is an activity where four different classes connect to read and comment upon one another's blogs. This video explains how quadblogging works. You can get your students involved in quadblogging here and gain more information here. This a great way to begin, however, like us, you can find interested classes through most social media sites. We arranged ours through Twitter. If you want to give your students an audience for which to write through their blogs, you can also use the hashtag #Comments4Kids. My learners connect with classes through our class blog on blogger and their individual blogs on KidBlog.
5- MysterySkype (#MysterySkype) is an exciting way for students to connect, use their problem solving skills, locate, analyze and synthesize data, draw conclusions, and perfect their communication skills. You can learn more, get started here and find connections at the Skype in Our Classroom Mystery Skype page. By using "yes" and "no" questions, students try to find the location of the other class while also use multiple resources such a Google Maps. Here are some tips on How to Do a Mystery Skype and Mystery Skype Jobs for Students and Great Mystery Skype Questions to Get You Started.
6- By using Twitter hashtags, students can join many different conversations. In addition to the ones already on this page, my students joined #6Word for publishing six word memoirs, #ReadIt for their book jacket book reviews, #TweetStory for publishing stories in 140 characters or less and #WhyIWrite for National Day of Writing. Not sure about how Twitter works? Here's a blog where I explained the basics of Twitter.
7- Instagram, like Twitter, connects students with their global peers through photos and videos. Students can collaboratively tell stories with the use of hashtags. Here is a great piece by Laren Hammonds, Collaborative Storytelling and More with Instagram.
8- Global Genius Hour (#GeniusHour) is a concept with you may be familiar if you have read Dan Pink's book, Drive, Innovation Day and Genius Hour began in the business world, but was adapted for the classroom. Several teachers have adapted it for their grade level or content area. Genius Hour is lead by a driving question that a student has. You can connect and follow ongoing conversations on #GeniusHour Twitter chats. Sometimes students struggle with creativity. Here are some tips in guiding them through the process: How to Unleash the Creative Child.
2- Global Read Aloud (#GRA18) takes place in the Fall each year. You can begin your journey at the Global Read Aloud website. This project is always a highlight for my students each year, I have written much about the power of these connections: One Book to Connect the World, Through the Pages: Digital Journeys, Connections, and Communities, Looking to Connect Your Students? First Steps in Social Media, A Wow Way to Support Student Learning, and Oh the Places They Can Go: Sharing the Journey to Destinations Unknown. Be sure to check out my Global Read Aloud resources page that is full of ideas to get your students reading, writing, connecting, discussing, analyzing, collaborating, and having fun.
3- Flipgrid is a fantastic ways for students to connect and discuss their learning. Often we have students who are shy and reticent to participate in class or small group discussions. It may be due to a lack of understanding, a fear of peer ridicule, an exceptional need, being introverted, or lack of English proficiency. With Flipgrid, learners can respond to an open-ended question or prompt using video. It's also a great platform to share book reviews, book chats, or become guest readers for students in other classrooms. This is a great way to assess your students by "listening" to their conversations.Flipping for Book Chats with Flipgrids.
4- Quadblogging is an activity where four different classes connect to read and comment upon one another's blogs. This video explains how quadblogging works. You can get your students involved in quadblogging here and gain more information here. This a great way to begin, however, like us, you can find interested classes through most social media sites. We arranged ours through Twitter. If you want to give your students an audience for which to write through their blogs, you can also use the hashtag #Comments4Kids. My learners connect with classes through our class blog on blogger and their individual blogs on KidBlog.
5- MysterySkype (#MysterySkype) is an exciting way for students to connect, use their problem solving skills, locate, analyze and synthesize data, draw conclusions, and perfect their communication skills. You can learn more, get started here and find connections at the Skype in Our Classroom Mystery Skype page. By using "yes" and "no" questions, students try to find the location of the other class while also use multiple resources such a Google Maps. Here are some tips on How to Do a Mystery Skype and Mystery Skype Jobs for Students and Great Mystery Skype Questions to Get You Started.
6- By using Twitter hashtags, students can join many different conversations. In addition to the ones already on this page, my students joined #6Word for publishing six word memoirs, #ReadIt for their book jacket book reviews, #TweetStory for publishing stories in 140 characters or less and #WhyIWrite for National Day of Writing. Not sure about how Twitter works? Here's a blog where I explained the basics of Twitter.
7- Instagram, like Twitter, connects students with their global peers through photos and videos. Students can collaboratively tell stories with the use of hashtags. Here is a great piece by Laren Hammonds, Collaborative Storytelling and More with Instagram.
8- Global Genius Hour (#GeniusHour) is a concept with you may be familiar if you have read Dan Pink's book, Drive, Innovation Day and Genius Hour began in the business world, but was adapted for the classroom. Several teachers have adapted it for their grade level or content area. Genius Hour is lead by a driving question that a student has. You can connect and follow ongoing conversations on #GeniusHour Twitter chats. Sometimes students struggle with creativity. Here are some tips in guiding them through the process: How to Unleash the Creative Child.
Please stay in touch. I would love to continue these conversations. You can follow me on my blog at [email protected], on Twitter and Instagram @juliedramsay or on my Facebook author/educator page, Julie D. Ramsay.