GLOBAL EDUCATION DIGITAL RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Here you will find a treasure trove of digital resources and organizations to help you adapt your curriculum to consider global education. Global Education does not ask that you throw out your old curriculum or teach in a whole new way. It begins with developing the mindset of a global citizen and providing texts and tools for your students to connect with learners around the world! It is not lost on me that I took a course that had an intense focus on online learning tools right before the COVID-19 pandemic For this reason, these resources should be helpful for teachers,regardless if they have bought into Global Teaching.
FULL DISCLOSURE: TECHNOLOGY AND ME
Digital Literacy and The SAMR Model
How does this piece of technology change my lesson? Does this technology offer anything to support student learning was impossible before? Does this technology help my students perform a task more efficiently?
When I began the Global Education course presented by Fulbright and IREX, I was more than a little concerned once I discovered there would be a great emphasis on the integration of technology into the classroom and digital learning. I nearly made a Mr. Jablon-sized hole in the wall when I learned we would be required to make Twitter accounts! Truth be told, I have struggled with technology both in my personal and professional life. I often felt like there was pressure to bring technology into the classroom, but with no direction or purpose. I remember teaching in a room with an expensive SMARTboard, but never given the training to use it. Of course, it turned out that teachers around the world would be forced to move to online learning and the focus on digital literacy became invaluable. More so, I am quite grateful that the course began with an exploration of the how and why we should use technology in the classroom, acknowledging that all technology is not equal. The SAMR model breaks down the use of technology in our classrooms into 4 categories (SUBSTITUTION, AUGMENTATION, MODIFICATION, REDEFINITION) that help evaluate its purpose and effectiveness. These categories can either enhance or transform a lesson. Click below or scroll down for more information on Digital Literacy and the SAMR Model before exploring digital resources.
SAMR
MODEL
WHAT IS THE SAMR MODEL?
This brief video explains the SAMR Model and how to use it in the classroom. Since I believe it is crucial to understand what every piece of technology actually provides to students, I recommend fully reading through the articles, instead of fully relying on this video. That said, it's a great way to begin asking questions about technology in your classroom, whether it transforms your lesson or replaces without actually adding to your students' learning.
8 EXAMPLES OF TRANSFORMING LESSONS THROUGH THE SAMR CYCLE BY KELLY WALSH
I really like this article because it not only explains the SAMR Model, but also provides 8 different lesson plans across subject areas to guide you through the process of rethinking your use of technology in the classroom. You can also find examples of the way I think about technology in my class by checking out the Teaching page.
WHY WE NEED A NEW APPROACH TO TEACHING DIGITAL LITERACY
This collaborative piece on digital literacy is a little dense, but a pretty important read as an educator teaching today. I believe the emphasis on teaching digital literacy in global education becomes even more important in the world of abolitionist teaching. We live in a time when the ability to share anti-democratic, racist, and conspiratorial misinformation in at an all time high and it is up to educators to give students the skills to sift through these narratives. Technology has also given rise to a new era of activism. Empowering students to take action, means giving them all the skills and tools to connect with the world.
12 BASIC WAYS TO INTEGRATE MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING INTO ANY CURRICULUM
This helpful booklet provides a ton of questions to ask yourself and clear strategies for teaching about media literacy. I love the emphasis on critical thinking because in today's digital age, confirming a source to be credible requires much more than just a checklist (as the previous article argues), but students equipped to take extra steps to verify factual information and identify implicit biases of the individuals and institutions reporting.
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Browse through these digital resources to enhance and transform your curriculum! I am provided public examples to encourage you to browse through all examples already posted by teachers all over the world, but also visit my "Teach" page for my own examples integrating these resources. As an English teacher, I think one of the best ways of engaging your students in global thinking is to teach more books from authors outside of the United States or England. Check out this New York Times Globetrotting Booklist for ideas!
PADLET
This is a wonderfully useful platform where students and teachers can post and respond to each other. It's basically teacher based social media. I like to use use it to create online discussion, to allow students to anoymously post writing and receive feedback, and to set up a series of videos and instructions to support independent student learning and choice. I am posting a wonderful example that you I received from a conference based on Bettina Love's works. Give this to your students to discover creative ways to demonstrate understanding and take action!
FLIPGRID
This is another teacher based social media site that allows students and teachers to make videos. I have been thinking a lot during this time about how to encourage students to read, how to provide authentic spaces for students to obtain and read literature that speaks to each individual experience. For this reason, I chose an example of using Flipgrid to engage students in choice reading.
PEARDECK
Peardeck allows you to make your google slide presentations inetractive. This is a really cool tool, giving teachers the power to take surveys, check for understanding, and create vocabulary lists. The app also has pre-made slides that you can put in the beginning, middle, and end of your slideshow for a variety of purposes. I use this while teaching Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me to enhance a lesson on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. I also like that there are slides that encourage checking in emotionally with your students.
SKYPE IN THE CLASSROOM
While I haven't had the opportunity to engage with Skype in the Classroom yet, I wanted to feature it as on this first page. This resource provides endless opportunities to collaborate with classrooms around the world, go on virtual tours, get access to guest speakers. Check out Mystery Skype to connect over a game!
QUIZLET
Quizlet is generally used to create vocabulary lists. It's helpful to use in my ESL classes, and provides quick, easy way to teach vocabulary and encourage independent learning. I actually use Quizlet for my own language practice, studying Spanish and Arabic to prepare for upcoming trips. Many of the lists are public, so you don't have to recreate the wheel. I begin each ESL class with an Idiom of the Day presented on Quizlet.
KAHOOT
While many teachers already know about Kahoot, it took me a long time to try it out. Honestly, my students in an English class begged me to make one and it was so much fun watching them get excited and yell out the answers, then scold each other. I've used it more and more this year, sometimes to check for understanding, sometimes just as a fun break. Check out this article about an innovative use of Kahoot to host a Geography bee!
MORE DIGITAL RESOURCES
CRASH COURSE YOUTUBE VIDEOS
These series of videos originally created by young adult authors and brothers, John and Hank Green, range across the education spectrum with whole introductory courses in Literature, Philosophy, History, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, Algebra, and even A.I.! These are wonderful supplements to any lesson, entertaining and informative, both Hank and John take time to offer multiple perspectives on any given topic.
NEWSELA
This is a great site to engage students with current events and news. One of the major advantages is that you can increase or decrease the vocabulary to allow access to students at various reading levels. You can also add questions or give annotation tasks such as highlighting sections or defining words. I like to create text sets, so students can explore different articles all related by topic. I mostly use this site with my ESL classes.
GLOBAL TABLE ADVENTURE
This is a personal favorite of mine. Sasha Martin is a world traveler, chef, and eater! This website allows you to see recipes from all over the world. Few forces connect us, or ironically are used to divide us, like food. I used this site to create a station activity with my ESL students that involved them putting together printed recipes cut into puzzle pieces, then racing on the website to find where in the world they came from. Students then write their own recipes.
THE WONDERMENT
This is another website that I have not had the chance to personally explore, I am so excited and intrigued by it. This site allows students to create action projects to help a community, connecting and collaborating with students all over the world. I think that the Taking Action step of Global Education sometimes feels daunting. This site can provide a clear pathway forward!
MAKING A BITMOJI SCENE IN GOOGLE SLIDES
Many teachers are already familiar with google docs and slides, but did you know you can use slides to create your own digital classroom?! Wow your students with a Bitmoji scene modeled after the classroom you left behind. Imagine how fun it will be when new students come back to the school building and see that your classroom looks exactly like the digital one they've already seen!
STORYBOARD THAT
I have generally avoided resources that aren't free, but I will admit that Storyboard That has a ton a uses. I have had students make comics out of particular scenes or use them to stage a play version of a scene. I had students use storyboard that to plan out a scene in a movie version of The Great Gatsby. As I attempt to introduce more literature from around the world, this site assists students in seeing the story.
PROJECT BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES OR (PBLS)
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.
Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.
As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.
PBL is embraced as a Global Education strategy because when done well, they naturally embed the learning strategies of the movement. Students actively investigate the world, recognize perspectives, communicate ideas, and take action, both taking agency of learning and engaging in passionate work to improve the world.
ORGANIZATIONS
ASIA SOCIETY
Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.
GLOBAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
The Global Education Conference is a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. It is designed to significantly increase opportunities for building education-related connections around the globe while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity.
EDUTOPIA
Edutopia is dedicated to transforming K-12 education so that all students can acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to thrive in their studies, careers, and adult lives. Founded by innovative and award-winning filmmaker George Lucas in 1991, they take a strategic approach to improving K-12 education through two distinct areas of focus: Edutopia and Lucas Education Research.
10 BEST TRAVEL ABROAD PROGRAMS OP-ED
This is an Op-Ed that recommends 10 different study abroad programs that not only facilitate trips, but are fully invested in global education. When thinking about taking the next steps for a globally minded classroom, I encourage you to begin looking into these travel programs. There is no better way to foster global citizenship than to take your students abroad!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS SERVICES
International Schools Services (ISS) promotes innovative best practices for global education through its core services that include starting and managing student-centered, future-oriented schools; recruiting world-class international educators; providing cutting-edge professional learning opportunities; sourcing essential school supplies; and stewarding school foundations. I appreciate a clear commitment to anti-racist practices.
FULBRIGHT TEACHER EXCHANGES
Okay, this should probably have been first, but I've been saving the best for last. If I have really peaked your interest into Global Education, if want to know how you can be a better Global Citizen, if you want an incredible opportunity to bring these ideas into your classroom, then apply to FTGC. It may feel daunting, but if believe in this work, I encourage to take a risk. If nothing else, it may encourage you to begin applying for more teacher travel opportunities!