This year, put your school on the map: Add a global dimension to your teaching

[Rita Oates]

As an educator, you know quite a few things, including:

1) Students become better readers and writers when they practice authentically, not just doing an assignment for the teacher or filling out worksheets.

2) Preparing students for success in global society starts today. That’s why you should add your voice to a new movement: “Pledge to Take Your School Global.”

 

The mission is simple: We’re asking teachers, parents and students worldwide to pledge to take just one action this year to connect with learners in another part of the world. When students share and collaborate together from across the globe, they explore their curiosity about our planet’s diversity, get excited to use technology and cultivate invaluable 21^st century communication skills as they go. 

 

Teachers who belong to the ePals Global Community, a social learning network that connects classrooms around the world, have seen first hand how global collaboration improves student learning. 70% of Global Community students write more often, 75% write better. Over half of Global Community classrooms report a stronger grasp of the “real world” purpose of class lessons.

 

It’s a single step. Start with a pledge.

Submit your pledge here.  

Committed to authentic learning? Share your commitment by “Liking” the pledge on Facebook and encouraging friends, parents and colleagues to follow your lead.

 

It's free to join the ePals Global Community, to use collaborative projects, and to post student work.

If you want to learn more, sign up for a webinar: http://bit.ly/ePals101 or check out the ePals tutorials: http://bit.ly/learnePals

  

Here's an example of a high school teacher in Virginia who uses the ePals Global Community:

As a computer resource specialist and ePals coordinator, I use ePals to inspire teachers to use technology in engaging ways to help their students develop higher level thinking skills. With ePals from around the globe, we complete long-term, short-term, and one-time exchange projects. Our students exchange email letters, snail mail packages, postcards, handcrafted greeting cards, electronic cards, and so much more.

http://www.epals.com/projects/info.aspx?divid=spotlight_main

[duygu efeturk]

hello,I am an english teacher from turkey and I think it would be very nice to work together.we can go beyond the borders...have you heard about the Flat Stanley Project?We can work on it , too. am waiting for your reply.you can contact me also via [e-mail]. thanks in advance...DUYGU

[Rita Oates]

Top 10 countries making pledge to Go Global in the classroom this semester:

United States	419
Egypt	84
Philippines	81
India	41
Australia	23
Bangladesh	23
Nepal	23
Canada	21
Indonesia	21
Russia	21

You can take the pledge too: Click here.