1. The document discusses collaboration between teachers Anne Mirtschin in the US and Lorraine Leo in Australia, including connecting their classrooms through virtual meetings. 2. It provides examples of activities the connected classrooms have done, such as students in the US asking questions to students in Australia and learning about wildlife like koalas. 3. The document outlines tips for successful global classroom collaboration, such as starting small, being flexible, and finding partners with shared interests.

2. Anne Mirtschin
Secondary IT/Acounting Teacher
Lorraine Leo
K - 6 Tech Integration Teacher

6. Where we met!

7. One of our first class linkups

9. Josh' blog post

10. Hi Josh,
Thanks very much for the post about my presentation to your class. I
really enjoyed meeting with all of you and appreciated your comments in
the text chat. I have never been to Australia so it is always exciting to
have the chance to visiti there virtually and to speak with young people
there.
I enjoyed learning about Hawkesdale too. It is interesting that both of our
schools have under 400 students. I learned that students in your school
like days when they can dress out of uniform just like the students here. I
was amazed at some of the wildlife that you have around you. I’ve only
seen kangaroos in a zoo and I’ve never seen a koala–ever!!
The other fascinating thing about Australia is that even though we are
thousands of miles away, we speak the same language (with different
accents). I like the Australian accent.
I was reading through some of the posts on your blog and was interested
in learning about these little cartoons that you are creating. I haven’t
seen that website so right after I write to you, I’m going to check it out.
Thanks again for sharing. I hope that as I end my day here, you have a
terrific start to yours’.

11. A true global classroom - a student
from Australia, USA, 2 from China
and 2 from Thailand learn about the
eye from an Optician

12. What it looks like in the classroom!

13. Historical Figures
Day

14. Hi Lorraine,
We found our koala again in some gum
trees in the front paddock not far from our
house.
I have attached a photo
Anne

18. Second graders use Voicethread to ask questions to
students in Hawkesdale, AU. Students in
Hawkesdale respond.

21. Global Handwashing Day

27. More from the students.....
Yesterday we talked to jean pennycook in antarcta, on ross
island she studies adelie penguins . adelie penguins lay two
eggs each year, and they can’t swim until they have there adult
feathers.
Jean lives in a tent and she sleeps in abig sleping bag. SHE
DOSEN’T HAVE A TOILET!!! Well its a bucket, and they
have to take there ...... home with them! And they only have a
shower every three or four weeks!
Yesterday we were in a virtual classroom with a woman called
Jean that is studying penguins in Antarctica. You may not know what
I mean. She is actually in Antarctica. She has been there since
October and she will leave on April the third. The things I learnt is
that it takes 50 days for a chick to get their feathers. The penguins
I’m talking about are Adelie Penguins. The Adelie Penguins only
have two eggs.
Kiri

28. Antarctica Talk
Yesterday lots of grades went onto a virtual
world. Jean Pennycook told us about
penguins. I learnt that the size of a penguin
egg is the size of a big duck egg! A penguin
leaves its babies if its hungry. I learnt that
there were 24 hours of daylight.
Jingzy
1.I learnt that they have a phone.
2. I learnt there is all day of day light.
3. It takes 50 days for the little penguins to grow their feters
Turf (Chris)
On Thursday the 11/12/08 we had a live talk with
about 17 participants.
We talked to Jean Pennycook always from Australia
(jean was in Antarctica)

32. 10:29 AM Do the kids do anything there for Halloween?
I'm going to talk about Halloween here, but want to know whether
they do any of the typical things or if it is or is not familiar to them.
10:48 AM me: Oh fantastic Lorraine
We dont really do anything. It is not usually done in Australia
although some of the supermarkets are selling Halloween type
things now
10:49 AM Lorraine: so trick or treating is not something that they do
but they've heard about..?
me: they will love to hear about Halloween. How opportune right
near the date
Lorraine: it is not something that 15 - 16 year olds do here...but at
least it might be of interest to them to hear about it.
me: They have heard of it cos they love American TV shows but we
dont do it

35. 2nd Post

36. blogs
How we connect and communicate!

37. Keys to Success!
Find someone with similar interests. We share the passion of
connecting students with others across the globe.
Keep in contact throughout the year. Share news and photos of
current and future projects with the partner teacher.
Always look at possibilities rather than limitations. We teach
students in different grade levels in different time zones. We've
found ways to make our collaboration work.
Reflect on projects when they are complete. Discuss what
worked and what didn't. Be willing to try things again.

38. Tips and Hints
• Start small.
• Test the software and hardware before using it with
students.
• Be patient, keep experimenting and working at success!
• Practice using the software with students before any 'live
event.'
• Be flexible. Always have an alternate plan to fall back on.
• Be willing to take some risks and learn from them.
• Always have a back up plan should technology fail.
• Find someone who has similar interests. Start small. Be willing to take some risks and make some
mistakes Test

39. Challenges
• technology
• time zones
• age group differences
• infrastructure
• family expectations

40. Trialing google chat video

41. Why connect and collaborate globally?
• Authentic learning
• Project based learning
• It is fun!
• Learn different ways, cultures
• Reflect on their own culture in greater depth