Making Global Connections

I have started a cool new school project with a colleague who I have never met.  It is quite an interesting experience. But one that I would do any time I was asked.

The project is all about global connections and though we are in the same province and to be honest quite close it still is a rich experience for our students.  The project started when I was contacted through twitter by Sharon Moskovitz.  She told me that I was recommended by others who I have made good connections with for some help.  This then turned into a great conversation about our classrooms and global connections. Now our two classrooms are doing various projects together.  The funny thing is that we still haven't met face to face. And even though all we have had is conversations over the phone and through google docs she is a colleague and connections that I cherish and love having.

This is what we have been doing: 

1) Planning through Google Docs: 

Through conversations over the phone, and google docs we have been able to plan this whole project. It has been quite an amazing experience. And yes we realize that we can use hangout but just haven't had time to set it up.

2) Introduced ourselves through Google Draw: 

our introduction to our Global Connection Classroom @s_m077. Lot of fun using #GAFE and google draw pic.twitter.com/Xr9epAiBR1
— Jonathan So (@MrSoclassroom) October 27, 2014

3) Global Read aloud of "the Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane": 

             For this project the students have written each other letters to talk about their predictions and their questions.  The classes have also written the next chapter in the book. Our next steps is to take what we predicted and see if that will be correct. We are going to read the next chapter in the story and then compare it to the document.  We also plan on connecting each student with someone else and then have them write the next chapter, just like we did.

4) Global Math Projects:

        We also started a global math project. The students will be learning about "Right to Play". This is a great organization who is investing time into making sure all children have the right to play sports.  We also are exploring what sports various countries and cities like to play. We have a google form that we sent out to the world. The students will be comparing this data and drawing conclusions and hopefully making an action plan from it.

These are just some small ideas that we are working on. I know there are a lot more, so please if you have any let me or Sharon know. We would honestly love to hear from you. 

Global connections allow you to teach your students using real life situations and allow you to work with other classrooms across the world. It not only gives you really cool projects but it is such a rich learning environment for both the students and teachers.  As teachers our lives can get pretty busy and we can often isolate ourselves within our four walls but in my opinion when we open those walls up the learning and growth is so much richer.  Our students often do not get experiences to see outside of their community let alone be a part of other communities in their own country and around the world. We often talk about broadening the experiences of our students, there is no better way then connecting to various classrooms around the world.

Through this project our students are learning about each others lives and the lives of the world. They are seeing other peoples opinions and viewpoints and learning to collaborate with others who they have never met.

Our hopes is that they will become better at understanding the world around them and have a better appreciation for those close by.

Global Connections are lot of fun because they produce such amazing expereinces for teaches and students. I know that many of you do these types of projects would love to hear your ideas? What Global connections have you made? How do you plan for them? Any advice for me as a rookie? Any cool projects you would suggest next? Love to hear your thoughts.

Why Google

I was lucky enough to be able to present at a GAFE summit in April on using google apps. To be honest and fair I knew about google apps but not really for education. Sure I used youtube for videos, I even used it to flip my classroom but was I fully using all of the capabilities; not even close.

Before the conference, this is what I knew:

1) I owned a gmail account and used docs, forms and blogger but sparingly. 

2) YouTube was for the occasional posting of videos and searching for some really cool minds-on activities.

After the summit I was inspired by all of the amazing things that teachers are doing with it. Two great colleagues are Rolland Chidiac and Scott Monahan, check out their twitter, blogs and google plus accounts. Not only are they amazing people to get to know but amazing ambassadors for google.  I went right away to my principal and said I have to do this. Now you have to know that my board went Microsoft. Microsoft 365 is useful and well known but for me there is more than word. Also, want I like to say now is that what 365 wants to be, google already is.

Since starting this just two months ago this is what I have learned:

1) My kids have easily become proficient in the use of many of the apps. They easily figured out how to create, share and copy any project. Some have started to use slides as a presentation tool and some have explored google draw capabilities. Now I think all would be able too but some just haven't explored the program enough or have an interest in tech. Though more are coming around as we use it.

2) Even though I am pretty tech savvy, I would say that it is really user friendly and easy for anyone to use.  I know the names may seem out there (forms, Gdocs, slides, doctopus, goobrics, etc.) but it is really seamlessly integrated and user friendly.  

3) What I didn't know there was videos, training and great people to help me along the way. This brings me back to the amazing people in my PLN. I have connected with truly amazing and helpful individuals. Not only that google for educators has a great website: http://www.google.ca/edu/ and amazing hashtags to follow are #gafe or #gafesummit.

4) It really opens up the classroom for collaboration and practical formative assessment.  For example, I was in an OFIP (in school PD) and I had my kids working on their docs.  While in the session I was able to monitor my students work, comment on their progress and give them feedback in real time.  Another great example is the ability to share work and comment as we go.  Many of my assignments are now on Google Docs.  The students can share them with me at any time and I can comment on them at any time.  Also, when I finally mark them I attach a Goobric (its a rubric) to them and students have a chance to resubmit.  The nice part is the rubric stays with the document and you can attach a brand new one to it.  Not only does it allow you this feedback but these rubrics are kept on file for you in your drive.

5) Great programs and amazing storage.  This is just a nice bonus but you also get 30Gb of storage which is a far cry from the 8 I get with 365.  Google also works with any of our devices, so when I am with the iPads in my literacy centers or on netbooks or chromebooks my students have access to their drive.

6) Reflection and online portfolio:  Now that everything is in the cloud, students will have access to their work for their school career (or for me as long as they are in the school).  When they leave they can create their own space and transfer these docs to that new account.  Now students have a real look at their learning and progress from Kindergarten to whenever they graduate.  Talk about reflection and portfolios.

As you can tell I am really impressed with Google for education.  If you haven't checked it out I encourage you to take a look and try it.