This document provides ideas for connecting students globally through various technology-based projects and lessons. It discusses how global learning can develop students' communication, collaboration, critical thinking and cultural understanding skills. Several specific project ideas are described, such as cultural exchanges, collaborative spreadsheets, mystery Skype games, and virtual field trips. Resources for finding global connections on Twitter and through organizations like Skype in the Classroom are also listed. The overall message is that connecting students globally at a young age can empower them and that making these connections is easier than one might think.

1. Connect
Globally to
Empower
Students
PETE & C 2016
Mike Soskil
@msoskil

2. Does the learning in your classroom
matter to your students?
Photo Credit:
Flickr/cristic • Neuroscience tells us that
long-term learning cannot
take place without emotional
connection with content
• Extrinsic v. Intrinsic
Motivation
• Empathy correlates with both
happiness and success in life

4. Why Global Learning?
•Educational Experiences
•Communication,
Collaboration, Critical
Thinking, Creativity
•Cultural Understanding
•Engagement

6. South Elementary Global Connections
Easy Global
Project/Lesson Ideas
• Song/Cultural Exchanges
• Virtual Valentines
• Exchange Skype/YT Video
Messages
• Data Collection in Collaborative
Spreadsheets
• Quadblogging
• Slow Twitter Chat
• Collaborative PBL Projects
• Mystery Skype
• Skype Teacher Exchange (guest
teacher from another location)
• Digital Post Cards

8. Distance Teaching Project
distanceteaching.weebly.com

9. Project LINC
http://projectlinc.clubefl.gr/
Kansas Students – Microsoft Video

10. HIP Academy - Mukuyuni Bridge Project

11. Students are never too
young to change the
world.
Hanif and Gethera Video by the Ms. Heidemann & the Cushkins

12. How do I get started?

14. edtechchatnchew.weebly.com

15. Virtual Valentine Project
virtualvalentines.weebly.com
#k12Valentines

16. KidWish Project
kidwish2016.weebly.com/

17. Global Video Exchange
hnyctt.me/videxchange

18. awesomesquiggles.weebly.com

19. Mystery Skype
• Similar to "20 Questions"
• Each class takes turns
asking Yes/No questions to
figure out location of the
other class.
• Variations: animals,
numbers, elements,
occupations, etc. instead
of locations.
• Builds critical thinking
skills and content
knowledge.
• Creates opportunities to
connect with other
locations to have Q&A
sessions about culture.
Mystery Skype Video: youtu.be/OrV8KxSr5gA

20. Mystery Skype with Mr. Sherman

21. MysterySkypeOneNote.com

22. Overcoming Time Zone Issues

23. The 5 Clue
Challenge
• Use Skype Video Message or
YouTube to leave 5 clues for
partner class to guess
location, animal, etc.
• After each clue, students will
pause video, do research, and
take a guess.
• 5cluechallenge.weebly.com

25. Project Kakuma – Koen Timmers

26. Virtual Field Trips
• Skype in the Classroom: education.skype.com
• Discovery Education: discoveryeducation.com/featured-programs
• Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants: exploringbytheseat.com
• JASON Learning: jason.org
• LivingMaths: livingmaths.com

27. Finding Global Connections
• Twitter/Tweetdeck
• Skype in the Classroom
• Have students contact
experts
• Facebook
• Friends/Family
Twitter for Global Connections
#SkypeMT - Skype Master Teachers
#GlobalLearning
@SkypeClassroom
#GlobalClassroom
#Skype2Learn
#MysterySkype

30. The Kevin Bacon
Law of Global
Connections
You are never more
than 3 degrees of
separation from the
connection you need
for your students.

31. Edcamp NEPA – University of Scranton – April 23
edcampNEPA.weebly.com
23

32. Connect with me:
Twitter: @msoskil
Website:
michaelsoskil.com
Link to this PPT:
1drv.ms/1SQvl5B