Discussions

GEC members are committed to global connections and learning. You know as an educator: 1) Students become better readers and writers when they practice authentically. 2) Preparing them for success in global society starts today. That’s why we want you to add your voice to a new movement:

It’s called the “Pledge to Take Your School Global.”

The mission is simple: We’re asking teachers, parents and students worldwide to pledge to take just one action this year to connect with learners in another part of the world. When students share and collaborate together from across the globe, they explore their curiosity about our planet’s diversity, get excited to use technology and cultivate invaluable 21^st century communication skills as they go. 

Teachers who belong to the ePals Global Community, a social learning network that connects classrooms around the world, have seen first hand how global collaboration improves student learning. 70% of Global Community students write more often, 75% write better. Over half of Global Community classrooms report a stronger grasp of the “real world” purpose of class lessons.

It’s a single step. Start with a pledge.

Submit your pledge here. 

Committed to authentic learning? Share your commitment by “Liking” the pledge on Facebook and encouraging friends, parents and colleagues to follow your lead. Help others in your school increase their global communication too.

 Here's one example of global collaboration among ePals members:

The safety unit inspires students to take a deeper look at what causes road accidents. Based on their own research, and comparing road safety in other countries, children learn and become aware of the dangers in our streets. Teams present their proposals to classmates and their colleagues from around the world. Saving lives is the most important aspect of our project and children need to be educated so they may become better citizens in the future. (Organizing teacher, Marsha Goren, in Israel; participants in schools in Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and USA: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Pennsylvania.)

http://www.epals.com/blogs/teacherspotlight/archive/2011/06/16/road-safety-around-the-world.aspx