The International Education and Resource Network 1998-2009 Learning with the world, not just about it.

The International Education and Resource Network

1998-2009

Learning with the world, not just about it

What Is Telecollaboration?

Telecollaboration is a structured activity in which students use Internet tools such as e-mail, chat, Web pages, blogs, podcasts, etc. to access, process and share data and to communicate, cooperate and collaborate.

What Is Telecollaborative Project Work?

Telecollaborative project work is a term that has developed to describe online student project work that combines the use of telecollaboration and some form of a project-based activity.

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Agenda

What is iEARN?

iEARN Program Goals

Online Project-Based Learning Benefits

Methodology

iEARN

What is iEARN?

The International Education and Resource Network

20th Anniversary Video

Started 1988

A Network of educators and students from over 25,000 schools and youth organizations

2,000,000 Students, aged 5-1926,000 Educators

125 Countries300 Projects

30 Languages

iEARN Secure Environment

iEARN has searchable databases

on the Web to help you to find easily international students and teachers within the iEARN

Community worldwide to collaborate on projects.

iEARN provides its communitywith the supportive framework to

collaborate in projects.

The vision and purpose of iEARN is that ALL PROJECTS

have to enhance the QUALITY OF LIFE ON THE PLANET

iEARN Program Goals

To facilitate teacher & student-directed collaborative project work

Enhance students’expression, language skills and

understanding of the world.

Engage studentsin discussions and dialogue

to discuss common issues andthose related to one’s culture.

Develop an appreciationfor cultural diversity and tolerance.

iEARN Program Goals

To create global, national and local support structures

to sustain project work

To demonstrate that online education can enhance learning

and improve the quality of life on the planet.

iEARN Program Goals

Stimulate students’engagement and service

in their community.

Develop civil awarenessand responsibility.

Improve learning and teaching practices.

Build a supportive communityof educators that share

the latest teaching methodologies.

Integrate technologyin the curriculum in meaningful projects.

History

Since its start, iEARN has adhered to four underlying principles:

iEARN project and program initiatives are “grassroots”

iEARN honors a diversity of teaching and learning styles

iEARN recognizes that learning also happens outside of the classroom, and classroom learning must be shared with broader community, locally and globally

iEARN builds partnerships

iEARN Provides

"Children develop language through interaction...they learn to talk by talking to

someone who responds…They must therefore learn to write by writing to someone who

responds. It will perhaps be possible for us to create classroom communities within school

communities...in which writing matters because…

it's done for real reasons by real writers who ache with caring for real response.”

Reflections by Mem Fox, 1993

…A known audienceWriting and reading

for a purpose

iEARN is ……..

Projects in all curriculum areasArts & LiteratureSocial StudiesMath & ScienceLanguages & ESLAdaptable to meet national (state) standards

iEARN is ……..

Sustained CollaborationOngoing projects

Some projects more than decade old

Long-term partnerships among teachers and

schools

iEARN is ……..

Accessible, regardless of a school’s level of technology or experience.

iEARN is ……..

Decentralized, with local control & group decision-making

iEARN is ……..

PartnershipsGlobal, national, regional, local

NGOS, educational agencies, youth

groups, foundations

Ministries, Departments of Education

iEARN is ……..

Professional DevelopmentFace-to-faceOnline CoursesTrain-the-TrainerAnnual Conference

iEARN is ……..

Student & educator exchanges

iEARN is ……..

Annual Conferences

• Canada (2010)• Morocco (2009)• Egypt (2007)• Netherlands (2006)• Senegal (2005)• Slovakia (2004)• Japan (2003)• Russia (2002)• South Africa (2001)• China (2000)• Puerto Rico (1999)• USA (1998)• Spain (1997)

iEARN is ……..

The largest project-based

K-12 network in the world! 25,000 schools and youth organizations

in over 125 countries.www.iearn.org

Active Learning and

Teaching

All iEARN projects are

teacher and student driven

Learning beyondthe 4 walls

Active Learning and

Teaching

• Students engage in complex real world issues.

• Use problem solving & critical thinking skills.

• Learn to apply knowledge in a variety of contexts.

• Learn and apply interpersonal skills as they work cooperatively.

Accomplishment!Tangible results

Activities incorporate reflection & critical thinking.

Projects end with a presentation or product that demonstrates learning.

Increase technical ability.

Students with various strengths and inclinations have opportunities to explore their talents in a variety of ways.

Accomplishment!Empowerment

EngagementResponsibility

Production

• Practice using career skills: allocation of time and resources.

• Practice projecting learning outcomes.

• End with a product that is assessed in a variety of ways.

Global

• A culturally diverse community of supportive educators.

• Build sensitivity and compassion for others.

• Opportunities to meet in person.

Sample Projects & Themes

Our Footprints, Our Future (Carbon Footprinting)

Water Habitat Project

Kindred Family History Project

The Role of Women in Family and Society

YouthCaN

Moving Voices Digital Video DocumentariesLaws of Life Essay ProjectWhat My Country Is to Me

Connecting Math to Our LivesA Vision Creative Writing Anthology

Global Art: A Sense of Caring

Child Labor, Children’s rights, Environment and Ecology, Gender equity, Globalization, Human

rights, Peace, Poverty, Prejudice and discrimination, Racism, Refugees, Conflicts and

wars, Tolerance, Women’s rights and role in society.

iEARN Projects

• Learning Circles• My Hero• Talking Kites

New York CityJerusalemRussia

• Early Peoples Symbols Project

iEARN Projects

Adriane BartonTara CollinsBrittany PowersMelissa RichRichard RosenblumCarrie SassoAshley ScavoAmy ShermanMeghan TranterMiguel ZambranoAllison SchwartzJudy Duffield

Password: Lehigh

Planningand

Implementing

An

iEARN Project

Select a Project & Plan Your Curriculum

1 - Ask yourself: • What do I want my students to get out of this year’s

work with me?

• What content or base knowledge will I cover?

2 - The project you select should address a real life question or problem that:

• Is interesting & exciting to you AND your students.

• Has accessible & age appropriate resources to investigate the topic.

• Provide opportunities to make connections to other classes as well as in and out of school and enhances critical thinking and problem solving skills.

• Will involve your students in team work.• Can be addressed through a variety of

strategies & activities.• Will help students with various strengths and

inclinations.

Select a Project & Plan Your Curriculum

3 - Plan learning activities that:• Give you the chance to see their understanding

develop in new & challenging situations • Require them to show their understanding in an

observable way.• Involve students in publicly demonstrating

their understanding

Select a Project & Plan Your Curriculum

4 - Plan ongoing assessment: What criteria will help my students and me figure out what they understand?

• Instructor Informal checks: observations, dialogue & feedback

• Peer assessment• Self assessment• Quiz / test• Academic prompts• Instructor/students dialogue• Performance tasks/projects: Oral Presentations,

reports and other tasks.

Select a Project & Plan Your Curriculum

Before You Begin:

• Safety on the NET• How to Use Search Engines• Get your students ready for online

collaboration: sensitivity exercises• Netiquette, E-mail and Newsgroup basics

Netiquette:

• Be sensitive to others.• Be explicit and clear.• Learn as much as you can about the other

cultures you are working with to avoid cultural and language misunderstanding.

• Avoid sending capitalized messages.• Avoid writing messages when you are angry.• Avoid hurting people’s feelings.• Always be courteous and polite.• Be responsible online.• Avoid using slang and abbreviations.• Always acknowledge receipt of messages.

Sensitivity Exercises:

• To raise the level of awareness and understanding• Get to know the students you are working with• Interests Surveys: team creates, sends, collates

and reports results• In parallel prepare your classroom bulletin board

• Post your students’ “buddy contract”• Difference in time zones• Something special about your peers• Pictures• Messages to be sent / received

Steps to Follow

• Articulate your goals, select the project, and set your leading question.

• Compile resources.• Set your objectives and plan your lesson

progression, project activities and timeline.• Distribute the project objectives.• Discuss project expectations and the frequency

of communication.• Discuss the project in depth with your students.• Create teams, discuss what is expected from

them and agree on due dates.• Clarify your evaluation method.

Steps to Follow

• Send a note to the project coordinator introducing yourself and your students

• Introduce iEARN’s mission and vision to your students and visit the web site.

• Prepare your students for online collaboration and have them prepare their introductions.

• Go to the FORUMS, have them post their introductions.

• Have students respond to other students’ writing using the writing process.

Steps to Follow

• Have students write and publish their own contributions within the project

• Create a tracking system – grid and discuss it frequently with the students

• Generate weekly project reminders• BE PROUD OF YOUR WORK! SHARE IT WITH

OTHERS AT SCHOOL

Stay Connected!

• Use iEARN resources.• Check the iEARN Teachers forum regularly.• Read iEARN in Action “Newsflash”.• Share your story with iEARN teachers!

The International Education and Resource Network

http://www.iearn.org

[email protected]