This document summarizes a presentation about using problem-based and global learning in classrooms. It discusses how STEM education focuses on problem solving using all disciplines. Global learning helps students build cultural understanding and empathy through communication and collaboration with students in other places. Several specific project ideas are provided, like mystery Skype calls where students ask yes/no questions to figure out each other's locations, and the 5 Clue Challenge where students leave video clues about a topic. One example is described of a school in Kenya working to design and build a bridge to solve transportation issues in their community. Teachers are encouraged to find ways to connect students globally and have them apply their learning to real-world problems.

1. Problem Based
Learning in a
Global World
Share Fair Kansas
Andover,
Feb. 2017
Mike Soskil
@msoskil

4. My Science Lab

6. STEM is not Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics.
It is a culture of problem solving in
which all disciplines are used in
conjunction to make the world
better.

7. What character trait is most important for you to be
successful in life?

8. Does the learning in classrooms matter to
students?
• Long-term learning cannot take
place without emotional connection
with content
• Extrinsic v. Intrinsic Motivation
• Empathy correlates with both
happiness and success in life

9. Why Global Learning?
• Cultural Understanding
• Emotional Experiences
• Communication,
Collaboration, Critical
Thinking, Creativity
• Student Empowerment

10. How do I get started?
Rachel’s
Story

11. It’s hard to change the world when you
don’t know much about it.

12. South Elementary Global Connections
• 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

13. The Magic Words
“We should do something about that.”

15. Distance Teaching Project
distanceteaching.weebly.com

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

17. Fundraising, by itself, does not build empathy.
Students need relationships with others who are
different than they are.
Service projects should always be a two-way
street.

18. Beth Heidemann’s
Kindergardeners in
Cushing, Maine
Hanif and Gethera Video by the Ms. Heidemann & the Cushkins

19. Children are never too young to change the
world.

20. Food Pantry Video by the Cushkins

21. That’s great for your students.
But, how do I do that?

22. Growth Mindset

23. 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

24. SANCCOB

25. 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.
Resource to get started:
MysterySkypeOneNote.com

26. Mystery Skype w/ Steve Sherman

27. Skype in the Classroom:
Education.Skype.com

28. Overcoming Time Zone Issues

29. 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

30. 5 Clue Challenge – Mystery Location #1

31. 5 Clue Challenge – Mystery Location #2

32. 5 Clue Challenge – Mystery Animal #1

33. Global Teacher Leaders Projects
Curriculum based global projects where we make the
connections easy for you
• World Read Aloud Skypeathon
• Awesome Squiggles
• Virtual Valentines Project
• Global Kidwish Project
• Global Video Exchange
GlobalTeacherLeaders.com

34. TheGlobalReadAloud.com

36. How do I make connections?

37. Twitter
Not Just for Donald Trump Anymore!
• As of a year ago, over 4.2 million tweets per day were
related to education, most by educators
• Hashtags allow you to curate and organize what you
see
• There is an educational hashtag for almost every
content area, grade level, and educational interest
area

38. Tweetdeck.com

39. Finding Global Connections
• Twitter/Tweetdeck
• Have students contact
experts
• Facebook
• Friends/Family
Twitter for Global Connections
#GlobalEd
#TeachersLeading
@SkypeClassroom
#GlobalClassroom
#MysterySkype
#Skype2Learn
#MIEExpert
#TeachersMatter
#SkypeMT

43. So, What does Global Problem Solving
look like in a classroom?

44. HIP Academy - Mukuyuni Bridge Project

46. The Problem
• The current bridge is very dangerous – Most primary school students
from the other side of the village do not attend school because
parents will not let them cross
• During the rainy season, nobody from the far side of the village can go
to school
• The creek below is very deep (6-12m), and the current can be fast
• Any new bridge would need to span 25 meters
• The middle 12 meters of the bridge cannot have supports underneath
due to the creek
• The bridge must be wide enough for two people to pass each other

47. Types of Bridges - Beam

48. Types of Bridges – Beam with Supports

49. Types of Bridges - Arch

50. Types of Bridges - Suspension

51. Types of Bridges - Truss

52. Time to be an Engineer
• Build a bridge that will hold as many pennies as possible.
• Use only 2 pieces of paper - Nothing else
• Paper can be folded, crumpled, torn, or cut
• Scale: 1cm : 1m (must be 25cm long and wide enough for 2 people)
• The middle 12cm of the bridge cannot have supports
1. Before building, draw your design.
2. Build your design, and test it by adding one penny at a time.
3. Watch carefully to see where and how your bridge fails.
4. Use what you learned from the failure to redesign a better bridge
and repeat.

54. Fredrick Mazungu
HIP Academy
Mukuyuni, Kenya
Learn more about HIP
Academy and how your
students can get involved
in helping:
LivingstoneKegode@gmail
.com
OpenWorldCause.org

55. How could this be adapted to other
subjects?

57. Every problem in the world has a solution
trapped inside our students’ passions.
Helping them see the connection
is our job as teachers.

58. Connect with Me
Twitter: @msoskil
Website: michaelsoskil.com
Email: mrsoskil@gmail.com
Link to this presentation: