Global Education Conference 2013

With Dave Eggers book, The Circle, on my nightstand, I'm still on the search for professional development and student learning opportunities that focus on global learning.  (The Circle doesn't approach George Orwell's 1984, but it's a good read.)

Here's a find.  Interested in conversations surrounding global education?  Join the 2013 Global Education Conference this year from November 18th-22nd.  Access keynote speakers and sessions for free from your home computer or office.  Check out the sessions in this brochure.

It's interesting how many social media tools are in use in this year's conference.  You can follow the hashtag on Twitter #globaled13.  I was drawn to the Google + Community to continue exploration of the growing opportunities for global classroom collaborations.  The number of ways and opportunities are growing.  I'll be keeping my eye on quality and authentic learning opportunities.

If you miss it, sessions will be archived here.

Happy conferencing!

Global Education Conference 2012

Interested in topics surrounding global education?  Join the 2012 Global Education Conference from the comfort of your work place or home.  It runs November 12-17th with access to sessions afterward.

Check out the sessions in this brochure.  Follow the hashtag on Twitter #globaled12.

Happy conferencing!  

2011 Global Ed Conference Post

Connected Educator Month

This past week, my online course looked at a few ways of engaging in online professional development networks and conferences.  Through my membership in Classroom 2.0, I received an email from Steve Hargadon describing some exciting opportunities awaiting us in the month of August. 

August is the Connected Educator Month.  It is a U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology's Connective Educators initiative.  Read more about it on the Dept of Ed site here.  Explore the Connected Educator's Initiative and check out the Calendar of Events, Activities!    It's an incredible line up of speakers, forums, webinars, etc. on a wide range of topics related to online educational technology topics. Alan November, Karen Levine, Howard Gardner, Kathy Schrock, etc, etc, etc. are a few of the speakers. Watch this video to see how to navigate the calendar.  August 1, looks like a packed day, but it doesn't stop there.  Follow the #ce12 hashtag on Twitter.

Steve Hargadon describes the 2012 Learning 2.0 Virtual Conference, August 20-24, 2012 and the role it will play in the Connected Educator month. His post also provides links to opportunities to submit proposals to the Library 2.012 conference, October 3 - 5 and the 2012 Global Education Conference, November 12 - 16.  August and beyond hold many opportunities to participate in some free, online learning opportunities. 

Thanks to Steve Hargadon for his work and dedication to spreading the news.  Happy learning!

First Annual Open Education Week March 5-10

The first annual Open Education week will be held March 5-10 online and at various locations around the world.  It “is about sharing, reducing barriers and increasing access in education.  It includes free and open access to platforms, tools and resources in education (such as learning materials, course materials, videos of lectures, assessment tools, research, study groups, textbooks, etc.)” (About Open Education).  There will be more than 40 online webinars related to the topic of open education.  Check out the schedule and links to webinars here.  Follow the hashtag #openeducationwk.  

You can explore the site prior to the conference.  Read the welcome post.  Find out FAQs about Open Education, discover resources, and explore participating organizations.  They represent some amazing possibilities! Check out current projects.  Wikiwjs is an Example of a National Strategy on OER.  It is an example showing how the Dutch have been sharing from primary school to universities.  Here’s an interestng  link to OER K-12 BillPasses in U.S. Washington State.

Check out two of the featured presentations:  David Wiley in his TEDx NYED video and Cathy Casserly CEO of Creative Commons.  It’s interesting stuff!

As a side note, I discovered this through +Jason Neiffer of Montana Digital Academy at a time I was questioning the relevance of Google +, Twitter, etc in education.  I’ll keep at it.  Thanks Jason, and thanks for the follow!  It looks like Jason will be in a panel discussion with OER in K-12 Thurs, March 8 9 am Central.  It’s a bit early morning for me; the good news is that it sounds like the webinars will be made available after the sessions are over.

...Connect... Collect... Create... Share...

Mexico EFL Teachers Rock

In November, I had the opportunity and honor to participate in the Binational Migrant Education Initiative (BMEI) for the second time.  I have so many wonderful things to say about the experience that this post only begins to describe the positives of the trip.  Hands down, the top benefit of the experience was learning from a dedicated group of educators in Mexico.

Here’s the low down of the who, what, when and where of the portion I participated in.  I went to Tulancingo, Hidalgo Mexico for one week where I provided professional development in SLA theories and strategies for 20 primary and middle school English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers.  We had beneficial conversations regarding migrant students who travel between the US and Mexico.  In addition, we explored many cross-cultural issues.   Without a doubt, I learned as much if not more from the teachers I worked with.  They graciously allowed me to observe their classrooms where I witnessed their creativity and devotion.  A personal highlight for me was going to a rural school where students learn Spanish, their indigenous language, and English.  Beyond the classroom experience, they were also hospitable and treated us to visits to local sites, amazing food (one can’t get enough pozole), and good company.

This Animoto shows some of my experience.  (It was created on the 30 second free account, so it only gives a taste of Animoto.)  Check out the Animoto for educator’s account.

I was also fortunate to travel to Guadalajara and visit Intel as part of this trip.  It just so happened that the world’s second largest international book fair was in progress.  In my book, there aren’t many better ways to spend an evening than perusing good old fashioned books at a book fair.

I went to Cuernavaca, Mexico the first time I participated in the BMEI.   Both experiences were enjoyable and memorable, yet different.   I highly recommend the program!

Robot Heart Stories and Other Global Collaborative Projects

Over the past few weeks, I have browsed global collaborative projects out of curiosity.  What ways can classrooms use technology to gain a wider global perspective, to share, to connect, to learn together?  How are these types of programs shaping education? Are there ways of allowing kids and adults who speak different languages to work together?  If there are, are they only for the privileged?  How will these types of programs shape the way those who participate in them view the world and its possibilities?

With these questions and ideas in mind, I stumbled upon a project called Robot Heart Stories.  It is an experiential learning program and is an example of how transmedia storytelling is connecting geographically separated and linguistically different classes in education.  Watch this video clip. 

Robot Heart Stories from WorkBook Project on Vimeo.

Read the Robot stories here.  View the robot’s journal here from Montreal to LA.  Wow, even a quick scan of these materials showcases collaborative, creative learning across the content areas in French and English!

How interesting!  I’m not sure what this means, but I think it indicates the times are a changing. <3

Here are some links to other collaborative projects on our Ed Sites tab.

• Digiteen and Digiparent 
• ePals Global Community 
• Flat Classroom Projects 
• iearn 
• Kidlink  
• Skype in the Classroom  
• Youth Voices
• The Happiness Project

Happy global collaboration!

Quick Byte: Life In A Day

 Life In A Day is the result of uploaded videos shot on July 24th, 2011 contributed from people around the world. It was produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.  Watch it for free below.

This seems like an appropriate post to follow my One Day On Earth 11-11-11 post which we had fun shooting footage for.

Happy viewing!

Quick Byte: One Day on Earth 11-11-11

Participate in this global collaboration by uploading a short video clip on 11-11-11, or just enjoy the One Day on Earth project 11-11-11.  Watch this video trailer to learn more.

Don't miss the 10-10-10 Geo Map!  Click on a country of your choice and zoom in to watch a video or two.  I viewed a few from some places I have traveled, and a flood of memories reminded me of the injustices of the world juxtaposed against indescribable beauty.

Keep your eyes on this site.  I will share it with my Exploring the World class!  It promises to encourage open dialogue on topics of social justice.  How can you use it in your classroom?