Organizations for Partnerships
1. Global Issues Magazine
This magazine has a goal to help teachers develop students' understanding of and ability to critically assess current issues and events by providing quality, up-to-date, affordable, ready-to-use resources. Many of these are excellent resources for a variety of social studies topics including the Resources and Wealth strand as well as for Dynamic Relationships. Forum posts, polls, and additional web links can be accessed from the website. There is a code to access the articles available from your teacher librarian.
2. Collaborative Keypals and Projects
ePals
This is one of the Internet's largest and most accessed communities of collaborative classrooms engaged in cross-cultural exchanges, project sharing, and language learning. Once your classroom has developed and practised their collaboration within the classroom, this website broadens their audience base. It also invites more critical sharing and discussion as other cultures and perspectives from different places in the province, country, or the world can contribute.
The Teachers Corner
Use this website to search for a classroom "penpal" or "keypal" by grade level and location. You will see a world map showing pushpins of available keypals to contact.
iEARN
Join the iEARN Collaboration Center for free and start searching through the many different projects listed there on a variety of topics including civics, children's rights, citizenship, stereotypes, and many more similar global projects. Then - join in and contribute to the global project!
Global SchoolNet (GSN)
Global SchoolNet's main purpose is to help teachers find collaborative learning partners and appropriate projects. Become a member of the Global SchoolNet Global Community of 90,000 educators; view dozens of video clips; browse the project registry; subscribe to the News and Discussions lists; become part of the Online Expeditions project; or take a tour of the International Schools CyberFair.
Taking ITGlobal
TakingITGlobal for Educators or (TIGed), looks to empower classrooms to understand and act collaboratively on the world's greatest challenges. They support educators and help them to utilize technology to create transformative learning experiences for their students. Through this work, classrooms everywhere become actively engaged and connected in shaping a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable world. TIGed engages students as learners and leaders in three key areas: Global Citizenship, Environmental Stewardship, and Student Voice.
WorldBeat
The WorldBeat Global Education Project brings quality social justice teaching materials to Saskatchewan classrooms. Lessons are reviewed for curriculum fit an relevance for Saskatchewan. They also provide free workshops to students and teachers, and sponsor a variety of global educational opportunities for Saskatchewan students. Topics include HIV and AIDS, globalization, health, and sustainability. Subscribe to the WorldBeat Ezine to receive Global Justice Lesson Plans that meet Saskatchewan curriculum outcomes and indicators. You can also learn about upcoming events and opportunities for both students and teachers!
3. Strategies for Collaboration
Jigsaw
We are all familiar with this popular collaborative strategy. This is a reminder that it works well with discussion and presenting projects which involve collaboration. Many even apply these same techniques with global projects.
Rubrics for Cooperative Learning and Projects
There are a variety of rubrics listed here as a resource or sample for building rubrics or self-checks with your students as you progress through collaborative discussions and presentations.
This magazine has a goal to help teachers develop students' understanding of and ability to critically assess current issues and events by providing quality, up-to-date, affordable, ready-to-use resources. Many of these are excellent resources for a variety of social studies topics including the Resources and Wealth strand as well as for Dynamic Relationships. Forum posts, polls, and additional web links can be accessed from the website. There is a code to access the articles available from your teacher librarian.
- What in the World (Website)
- What in the World (Subscriber Issues) - requires password
2. Collaborative Keypals and Projects
ePals
This is one of the Internet's largest and most accessed communities of collaborative classrooms engaged in cross-cultural exchanges, project sharing, and language learning. Once your classroom has developed and practised their collaboration within the classroom, this website broadens their audience base. It also invites more critical sharing and discussion as other cultures and perspectives from different places in the province, country, or the world can contribute.
The Teachers Corner
Use this website to search for a classroom "penpal" or "keypal" by grade level and location. You will see a world map showing pushpins of available keypals to contact.
iEARN
Join the iEARN Collaboration Center for free and start searching through the many different projects listed there on a variety of topics including civics, children's rights, citizenship, stereotypes, and many more similar global projects. Then - join in and contribute to the global project!
Global SchoolNet (GSN)
Global SchoolNet's main purpose is to help teachers find collaborative learning partners and appropriate projects. Become a member of the Global SchoolNet Global Community of 90,000 educators; view dozens of video clips; browse the project registry; subscribe to the News and Discussions lists; become part of the Online Expeditions project; or take a tour of the International Schools CyberFair.
Taking ITGlobal
TakingITGlobal for Educators or (TIGed), looks to empower classrooms to understand and act collaboratively on the world's greatest challenges. They support educators and help them to utilize technology to create transformative learning experiences for their students. Through this work, classrooms everywhere become actively engaged and connected in shaping a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable world. TIGed engages students as learners and leaders in three key areas: Global Citizenship, Environmental Stewardship, and Student Voice.
WorldBeat
The WorldBeat Global Education Project brings quality social justice teaching materials to Saskatchewan classrooms. Lessons are reviewed for curriculum fit an relevance for Saskatchewan. They also provide free workshops to students and teachers, and sponsor a variety of global educational opportunities for Saskatchewan students. Topics include HIV and AIDS, globalization, health, and sustainability. Subscribe to the WorldBeat Ezine to receive Global Justice Lesson Plans that meet Saskatchewan curriculum outcomes and indicators. You can also learn about upcoming events and opportunities for both students and teachers!
3. Strategies for Collaboration
Jigsaw
We are all familiar with this popular collaborative strategy. This is a reminder that it works well with discussion and presenting projects which involve collaboration. Many even apply these same techniques with global projects.
Rubrics for Cooperative Learning and Projects
There are a variety of rubrics listed here as a resource or sample for building rubrics or self-checks with your students as you progress through collaborative discussions and presentations.
4. Mystery Skype
Many of us have heard of Skype, and know that it can be used as a teaching tool in a classroom. But, have you heard of "Mystery Skype"? In a Mystery Skype classes from different parts of the world call each other and try to guess where the other classroom is located. On the day of the call, students use their resources in trying to figure where the other class is calling from via Skype. A key element to a successful Mystery Skype is that all students engage in important roles throughout the activity. These roles may include: Inquirers, Question Keepers, Google Mappers, Runners, Logical Reasoners, Clue Keepers, and Photographers.
Jennifer Stewart-Mitchell has included a fantastic summary describing Mystery Skype - complete with instructions and resources. You can read about it on her Stewie's Smart Thoughts blog. Matthew Bresciani's students have participated in a number of Mystery Skype sessions this school year. You can read about his most recent session on his Bresciani's Blurbs blog.
To get started with Mystery Skype, you will need a Skype in the Classroom account. You can connect with other classrooms in a number of different ways. Skype in the Classroom has a Mystery Skype section where you can sign up to participate in upcoming sessions. Consider signing up on this Google Doc, or on the Around the World in 80 Schools wiki.
Still not sure? Take a look at the video below to see a Mystery Skype in action.
Jennifer Stewart-Mitchell has included a fantastic summary describing Mystery Skype - complete with instructions and resources. You can read about it on her Stewie's Smart Thoughts blog. Matthew Bresciani's students have participated in a number of Mystery Skype sessions this school year. You can read about his most recent session on his Bresciani's Blurbs blog.
To get started with Mystery Skype, you will need a Skype in the Classroom account. You can connect with other classrooms in a number of different ways. Skype in the Classroom has a Mystery Skype section where you can sign up to participate in upcoming sessions. Consider signing up on this Google Doc, or on the Around the World in 80 Schools wiki.
Still not sure? Take a look at the video below to see a Mystery Skype in action.