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The Norms of Global Online Collaboration
Today, we are going to talk about a few tips to make the process of global collaboration easier.
This first tip might sound simple but it could be forgotten if not prepared for. You want to make sure you have worked out the time zone differences. It would be very awkward if you got in front of your students to present a project, you call the other class and they don’t answer. You can’t figure out why but then you realize they are not even awake yet. Timing is key when working with others from around the world.
I found an article that provides really cool tools to help with time zones. http://blog.idonethis.com/tools-for-managing-time-zone-differences/
Not only would it be awkward if you mixed up the time zone with another classroom but it would also be awkward if you had a project planned and you didn’t know that they wouldn’t be in school that day because of a holiday or an event.
It is all about communicating with the other teachers and other classrooms. You all have to be on the same page. It’s a collaboration after all; you must work together on the big picture and with small details.
Another great tip is to figure out what each class’s purpose is going to be. Do you share an outcome? What is the shared outcome? What is it that you are trying to achieve?
As stated in the Global Educators book by Julie Lindsay, she says that without a common goal collaborating may be confusing and frustrating. It will be difficult to work together when both classes have different goals.
Google Maps
I love using Google maps to visit anywhere in the world. I want to travel. I have always wanted to travel. Using google maps, I found that I can get a preview of the places that I want to go to. Google maps places you right in the center of wherever you search. For example, if I search the Grand Canyon, I can be right in the center and it will be as if I am there in Arizona.
This is a great tool for the classroom! If I want to take my students to the jungle or rainforest, I can! If I want to take my students to the ocean, I can! If I want to take my students to the mountains, I can! The exploration is endless. We will be able to learn about wildlife and sealife. We will be able to learn about rocks and trees.
Google maps is a field trip at our fingertips. We can go anywhere at any time! No parent signatures needed! I will definitely be using this tool in my classroom!
What do you think? Will you use google maps in your classroom?
Pen Pals!
Pen pal seems like such an ancient term to me. I remember being 5 years old hearing my mom talk about how she had a pen pal when she was in school. I haven’t heard the term since then.
What is a pen pal? A pen pal is a person with whom one becomes friendly by exchanging letters, especially someone in a foreign country whom one has never met. Here is a short video explaining pen pals a little better.
I haven’t heard much about Pen Pals in the past few years but I definitely want to incorporate this in my classroom. It is a great way to connect your classroom to other classrooms around the world. My students will learn about other countries directly from students just like them! It will be a great experience for all of us.
Here is a website to help you find a pen pal. There are so many other websites other than this one where you can find a pen pal. I love this idea. It’s not only good for students but it is great for adults as well. We should be learning and expanding our global knowledge at all times.
Educational Technology: VoiceThread
What is VoiceThread?
“It is a media player that has a highly interactive discussion space built within”- VoiceThread.com. Teachers and students can upload documents, presentations, pictures, and videos. The neat feature is that after they have uploaded their work they can record commentary about it. They can ask and answer questions or further explain a presentation.
VoiceThread falls under the category of collaboration and co-creation. It is definitely a great way to connect with other classrooms around your city and around the world. This education tool was made to create a collaborative learning space.
Here’s a YouTube video that shows how VoiceThread is used in an English class. They are using VoiceThread to explain their projects.
A teacher in an elementary school had his students use VoiceThread to talk and tell the class about themselves. The objective of the lesson was for the students to create a TreeMap, ComicLife document, and upload their product to VoiceThread so that others can learn about them. here is the link to view his lesson plan: https://www.commonsense.org/education/lesson-plans/all-about-me-20
Before researching different types of educational tools, I had never heard of VoiceThread. After researching this specific tool, I love it! When I start teaching, I will definitely be using this tool. I want to teach Pre-k or Kindergarten; this tool will help me grow closer to my students. We will be able to learn with each other and from each other. I especially love the “About Me” idea! I’m definitely going to use that one!
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