Supporting New Teachers to Make Global Connections

This past week, a tremendous opportunity to participate and view presentations from educators around the world happened on the web. The annual presentation is called the Global Education Conference. I'm glad that I took time to check into this webinar, because I connected with an educator who is passionate about supporting teachers in their outreach to create global collaborations. Her work with educators worldwide helps her connect her students to create fantastic global partnerships.

The Global Education Conference reminded me about the importance of supporting new teachers as they seek ways of making the leap beyond the classroom walls in their work with students. I asked Dr. Michele L. Haiken to join me in this post and share her thoughts about the best ways for new teachers to do this work.

Dr. Michele L. Haiken's Three Steps to Global Connections

Michele L. Haiken, Ed.D., is full time teacher in Rye, New York and an adjunct professor at Manhattanville College. For more ideas on global collaboration projects utilizing technology and literacy, you can visit her blog www.theteachingfactor.com and follow her on twitter @teachingfactor.

New teachers are excited and brimming with ideas to make their classrooms hotbeds of learning, understanding and collaboration. In addition to their focus on creating a classroom where students are engaged and think both critically and creatively, teachers must address Common Core Learning Standards, content area standards and technology initiatives. Still, teachers want to do more: make global connections and work collaboratively with a classroom on the other side of the world, since creating digital citizens with a global consciousness is essential for success in the world today and tomorrow.

A global collaboration project doesn't just happen overnight. Like any successful project, it requires planning, preparation, connecting and communicating.

Here are three steps teachers can follow to expand the walls of their classrooms, make connections and participate in projects.

1. Connect

It’s all about developing your PLN -- Personal Learning Network. Follow blogs, follow bloggers on Twitter, and then follow those who are following them. The more people you follow, the more connections can be made. Engage in professional organizations like International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE).

2. Explore

Discuss with students the responsibilities of digital citizenship. Create and participate in a collaborative class wiki. Explore and try out different technology tools such as Edmodo, Voicethread, Skype and Animoto.

3. Create

Decide where in the curriculum a global collaborative project might fit. Align the project with technology and Common Core Learning Standards. Use your online connections to communicate and find other classes to cooperate in your global initiative.

For more ways to find global projects and make connections, check out the following websites.

We hope you'll find these three steps and this resource list supportive. In what ways you are working to bring global collaboration into your classroom? Tell us what works for you and what strategies you use. Then join us for New Teacher Chat Wednesdays on Twitter at 5 PM Pacific/8 PM Eastern. A Global Collaboration in the Classroom chat is coming soon!