Gaining Global Perspective in an Elementary Classroom

Your Name and Title:

Beth Holland, Senior Associate

School or Organization Name:

EdTechTeacher

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:

Newport, RI, USA

Language in Which You Will Present:

English

Target Audience(s):

Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Technology Integration Specialists, Technology Directors

Short Session Description (one line):

This case study of a 4th grade interdisciplinary projects gives an example of how to incorporate global studies, themes, and cultures into an elementary curriculum.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

What does Global Education look like to a 9 year old? How do you incorporate the study of a foreign country into every aspect of the curriculum such that the students gain a thorough understanding of the geography, culture, and ecosystems present in a continent different from their own? How can a group of young children learn social responsibility and take action to support organizations or individuals in a different country?

For six years, as Director of Academic Technology, I collaborated with a team of 4th grade teachers on their theme of Africa. Most of the year was devoted to the study of the continent, and it ran as a theme through every academic area including the arts. Each year, the project evolved to incorporate new technologies, address differing learning styles of the students, and enhance the students understanding of the content.

This presentation will describe the evolution of the project, the incorporation of technology, and the increased outreach to organizations in Africa which ultimately provided the students with a concrete global perspective.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

http://brholland.wordpress.com

http://www.flyingkitesglobal.org/

Hi Mirella.

I am going to walk through the 6 year evolution of my involvement with this project. The classroom teachers began it long before I joined the school, and will be continuing now that I have left. As the technology improved, and we were able to add more interdisciplinary components, the project grew. This is a very scaffolded project, so the responsibility that the students assume increases as the project progresses (last year, it ran from October - April). Multiple rubrics, checklists, reports, and meetings occurred throughout the process to provide feedback. At the moment, the project stayed in the school and then connected with outside organizations; however, there are organizations that exist to allow teachers to safely connect with other schools such as ePals, iEARN, and TakingITGlobal in addition to this community.

I hope that you will be able to attend the session.
Beth

Replies

Mirella Rodriguez Poma October 31, 2011 at 11:53pm

Hi, Beth Holland

I am peruvian teacher, i am very intersted in your Session and proyect.

I want to know more about it:

How the student must assume responsibility for their learning in this proyect?
How the teachers evaluate the student during and after project?

How the teacher can contact to work safely with other schools and teachers?

Thank you

Mirella R.
- Beth Holland > Mirella Rodriguez Poma November 1, 2011 at 8:40am
  
  Hi Mirella.
  
  I am going to walk through the 6 year evolution of my involvement with this project. The classroom teachers began it long before I joined the school, and will be continuing now that I have left. As the technology improved, and we were able to add more interdisciplinary components, the project grew. This is a very scaffolded project, so the responsibility that the students assume increases as the project progresses (last year, it ran from October - April). Multiple rubrics, checklists, reports, and meetings occurred throughout the process to provide feedback. At the moment, the project stayed in the school and then connected with outside organizations; however, there are organizations that exist to allow teachers to safely connect with other schools such as ePals, iEARN, and TakingITGlobal in addition to this community.
  
  I hope that you will be able to attend the session.
  Beth
Co-Chair

Lucy Gray October 27, 2011 at 5:02pm

Is Edtechteacher a for profit organization?
- Beth Holland > Lucy Gray October 27, 2011 at 5:12pm
  
  Yes. We help teachers and schools leverage technology to create student-centered, inquiry learning environments through a variety of professional development programs, workshops, webinars, and conferences.
  - Co-Chair
    
    Lucy Gray > Beth Holland October 27, 2011 at 5:34pm
    
    Great! As outlined in the call for proposals, for profit entities need to email Steve Hargadon for details on how they can participate. His email address is hargadon@gmail.com.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Lucy
    - Beth Holland > Lucy Gray October 27, 2011 at 6:03pm
      
      Thank you. I emailed Steve directly and understand that to proceed I need to ensure that the presentation remains non-commercial (my intent anyways).

This reply was deleted.