Ranger Ready

Tech Thursday | 12 April 2017

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5 Ways to Inspire Students Through Global Collaboration

By Katrina Schwartz

1. Working with students from a different culture motivates students.

One easy way to connect globally is through email pen-pals. When students write letters to one another, they no longer see writing as a chore – it’s a communication tool that helps kids learn about a peer from a different culture. Teachers say students write longer and more in-depth accounts than if they’d been given an essay prompt.

2. Connecting globally sparks curiosity and independent learning.

For example, a teacher could require that students use metaphors or write persuasively by trying to convince their pen pal to come and visit. Tasks that would feel disconnected from the real world feel concrete to students who want to maintain good relationships with their pen pals.

3. It’s easy to incorporate core curriculum lessons into global collaborations.

For example, a teacher could require that students use metaphors or write persuasively by trying to convince their pen pal to come and visit. Tasks that would feel disconnected from the real world feel concrete to students who want to maintain good relationships with their pen pals.

4. It encourages problem solving.

Students want their pen pal to understand what they’re saying and if their writing is unclear, they’re more inclined to be more clear. Teachers say international pen pals create a real audience that students care about, making them more willing to take suggestions, edit and rewrite.

5. Students become more worldly.

By connecting with students their own age in very different cultural contexts, students learn to be more open-minded and tolerant of difference. The strangeness of another place becomes interesting, not threatening. Students at one school in Mali had to travel to a distant Internet café in order to write their emails, but they did it because they were committed to their pen pals and excited about communicating with people living in a very different place.

Connecting Globally

App of the Week

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Google Hangouts

Use Google Hangouts to break down the four walls of your classroom and the four walls of our school. Connect students with experts from around the world or other students for global collaboration projects, Mystery Hangouts, and more.
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Hangouts in a nutshell...

Google Hangouts is Google's free video-conferencing tool that is available for educators to use as part of G Suite for Education. It's a great way to connect your classroom with other classrooms and professionals anywhere in the world.

NFHS has a limited number of site licenses for Nearpod. Become one of the first 20 teachers to earn Nearpod Certified Educator status and you will be granted a site license. Please email your certificate to the Ready 1:1 Instructional Coach.
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How to Solve Problems and Change the World
$100,000 for Students | $50,000 for Teachers

$100,000 for Students | $50,000 for Teachers

WHAT IS THE PARADIGM CHALLENGE?

The Paradigm Challenge is an annual competition that inspires youth to use STEM skills plus kindness, creativity, and collaboration to make a difference. The 2016-17 Challenge aims to generate new ideas to reduce waste in homes, schools, communities, and around the world.


WHO CAN JOIN THE CHALLENGE?

Youth aged 4 to 18 (as of May 1, 2017) compete in three age divisions: Ages 4 to 8 ● Ages 9 to 13 ● Ages 14 to 18


WHAT TYPES OF ENTRIES ARE ACCEPTED?

We welcome all ideas, including posters, videos, inventions, public messages, community events, websites, mobile apps, or anything else that will help reduce waste.


HOW WILL WINNERS BE SELECTED?

A blue-ribbon panel of judges will evaluate entries based on effectiveness, feasibility, originality, presentation, and collaboration. In addition to the prize money, Project Paradigm intends to provide further support to help turn winning ideas into real-world solutions.

Deadline: May 1, 2017

How To Win The Paradigm Challenge
Mr. Mason, M.Ed. Ready 1:1 Instructional Coach

Mr. Mason, M.Ed. Ready 1:1 Instructional Coach

Your feedback is greatly appreciated and can be provided HERE.
Naaman Forest High School, Naaman Forest Boulevard, Garland, TX, United States almason@garlandisd.net (972) 675-3090 edtechmason.com