International Project-based Learning Opportunities
1.iEARN
iEARN is a non-profit online learning community that connects students and classrooms around the world to connect and work together on a project. There are over 30,000 schools in more than 140 countries that work together on about 150 different projects to meet all age groups and curriculums. They also offer extensive professional development for educators online.
In my classroom, I would implement this by having students work on a project with another school around the world. iEARN also just came out with an iPhone app, making it easier for students to connect with each other. In addition, there is an online professional development conference coming up, the Fifth Annual Global Education Conference, which is free and will undoubtedly help me further my knowledge of global education.
2. People to People International's School and Classroom Program
People to People's International's School and Classroom Program is a free service that links middle and high school classrooms around the world to support pen-pal relationships amongst schools around the world. They also emphasize peace and community service, which tie into a curriculum aimed at nourishing students to be global citizens.
In my classroom, I would use People to People International by working with a partner school in a different country. Part of my Government class is becoming a responsible citizen of not only the United States but also the world. I hope that my collaboration with another school can help inspire my students to perform more community service and see its value, both to the community and personally.
3. Omprakash Foundation
The Omprakash Foundation connects volunteers with opportunities abroad. They also can connect teachers to volunteers that can assist schools in enhancing their curriculum and service-learning projects.
In my classroom, I would use the Omprakash Foundation as a resource to access volunteers around the world, specifically ones that connected to my curriculum. For example, if I am teaching about religion in Global History, I can connect to a volunteer in a largely Muslim or Hindu country to gain knowledge and resources from that individual, and maybe possibly even have them as a guest speaker to my classroom (via Skype).
4. Around the World with 80 Schools
Around the World with 80 Schools connects schools around the world through several different mediums, including blogging and through Skype.
In my classroom, I would like to use this resource to blog with students in other countries. For my Government class, I would love to have students compare what citizenship means in their respective countries and how they define the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen and also those of the government. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
5. WorldWise Schools
WorldWise Schools is a program through the Peace Corps that offers a host of resources to teachers and students, all created by Peace Corps volunteers. Activities are focused on global learning and are drawn from the volunteers' personal experiences.
In my classroom, I plan on using the lesson online "Addressing Global Food Security" in my Economics class in the fall. I will start local by discussing local access to healthy food (idea of a "food desert") and hunger in their communities and the United States, and then broaden the lens with these lessons. To go a step further, I could connect with a Peace Corps volunteer abroad who may be dealing with these issues first-hand and can share these insights with my class, either via email or Skype.
6. ePals
ePals is essentially an online version of the old-fashioned pen pal idea. Students can connect safely to learn about each other or work on a project together. There are also lesson plans and other activities for teachers and students.
In my classroom, I would use ePals to connect my students to other students around the world through a safe format. In Government class, we do a Social Justice project focusing on Social Justice issues in the United States. I would partner with another school around the world so we could tackle the same issue, or learn about different challenges they may be facing and how their society is addressing them.
iEARN is a non-profit online learning community that connects students and classrooms around the world to connect and work together on a project. There are over 30,000 schools in more than 140 countries that work together on about 150 different projects to meet all age groups and curriculums. They also offer extensive professional development for educators online.
In my classroom, I would implement this by having students work on a project with another school around the world. iEARN also just came out with an iPhone app, making it easier for students to connect with each other. In addition, there is an online professional development conference coming up, the Fifth Annual Global Education Conference, which is free and will undoubtedly help me further my knowledge of global education.
2. People to People International's School and Classroom Program
People to People's International's School and Classroom Program is a free service that links middle and high school classrooms around the world to support pen-pal relationships amongst schools around the world. They also emphasize peace and community service, which tie into a curriculum aimed at nourishing students to be global citizens.
In my classroom, I would use People to People International by working with a partner school in a different country. Part of my Government class is becoming a responsible citizen of not only the United States but also the world. I hope that my collaboration with another school can help inspire my students to perform more community service and see its value, both to the community and personally.
3. Omprakash Foundation
The Omprakash Foundation connects volunteers with opportunities abroad. They also can connect teachers to volunteers that can assist schools in enhancing their curriculum and service-learning projects.
In my classroom, I would use the Omprakash Foundation as a resource to access volunteers around the world, specifically ones that connected to my curriculum. For example, if I am teaching about religion in Global History, I can connect to a volunteer in a largely Muslim or Hindu country to gain knowledge and resources from that individual, and maybe possibly even have them as a guest speaker to my classroom (via Skype).
4. Around the World with 80 Schools
Around the World with 80 Schools connects schools around the world through several different mediums, including blogging and through Skype.
In my classroom, I would like to use this resource to blog with students in other countries. For my Government class, I would love to have students compare what citizenship means in their respective countries and how they define the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen and also those of the government. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
5. WorldWise Schools
WorldWise Schools is a program through the Peace Corps that offers a host of resources to teachers and students, all created by Peace Corps volunteers. Activities are focused on global learning and are drawn from the volunteers' personal experiences.
In my classroom, I plan on using the lesson online "Addressing Global Food Security" in my Economics class in the fall. I will start local by discussing local access to healthy food (idea of a "food desert") and hunger in their communities and the United States, and then broaden the lens with these lessons. To go a step further, I could connect with a Peace Corps volunteer abroad who may be dealing with these issues first-hand and can share these insights with my class, either via email or Skype.
6. ePals
ePals is essentially an online version of the old-fashioned pen pal idea. Students can connect safely to learn about each other or work on a project together. There are also lesson plans and other activities for teachers and students.
In my classroom, I would use ePals to connect my students to other students around the world through a safe format. In Government class, we do a Social Justice project focusing on Social Justice issues in the United States. I would partner with another school around the world so we could tackle the same issue, or learn about different challenges they may be facing and how their society is addressing them.