This document discusses perspectives on World War 1 from Turkish and Australian students who participated in a global education project. It includes responses from Turkish primary students about how they learn about Mustafa Kemal as a national hero for defending Turkey during the war. Australian students learned about the Turkish side of the war and how Turkey and Australia are now friends. The reflections of Australian year 9 students show they gained new insights about only learning history from an Australian viewpoint and looking at different perspectives on the Anzacs. A student comment discusses breaking stereotypes of other countries and learning how connected the world is through global projects.

1. Anzac
Legend

4. “In 1915, when the Dardanelles campaign was launched,
Colonel Mustafa Kemal became a national hero by
winning successive victories and finally repelling the
invaders. In our schools, in each class we have his photo
to remember our hero.”
Sent by a Turkish primary class

6. “You have helped us understand the Turkish side to World
War One, which we had no idea about. We learned how the
Ottoman Empire shrank to being the size of Turkey. We
learned how the Turkish people really want to remember the
men and women who died in the war fighting for their
country, and we also learned about Mustafa Kemal becoming
president of the republic and creating a new political system
and giving power to women. We are proud that Turkey and
Australia are now such good friends.”
My students’ response to Turkey

9. Year 9 Reflections 2012
We have worked with people worldwide
We have seen different points of view
We have seen what other countries think about history
We have thought about stuff differently
We have found unseen truths
We have learned about both sides and views of wars
We have gone beyond the textbook
We have made global connections
We have learned about how we glorify Australian soldiers
We have learned that we only study history from an Australian point of view
The Anzacs might not have been the legends that history makes out
We have looked at different perspectives
The Anzacs were not perfect

14. “I have definitely learned a lot about the other
countries that the participants of this project are from.
Through the text and pictures that others have shared,
the stereotypes that I previously had of certain
countries were broken. I have also learned a lot about
how the world is all connected. Whether or not we are
aware of it, our actions can affect other people on the
other side of the world. This project really highlights
that, and I have definitely gained new insight on how
we are all part of a global community.”
(Out of Eden student post)

17. Where to Start?
ePals Global Community
iEARN
Skype in the Classroom
TakingITGlobal
GlobalEdCon
Flat Classroom Project
Out of Eden Learn

18. “How easy it is to dehumanise one’s
adversaries when you peer at them
through the lens of a drone, rather
than work beside them in some
common endeavour. And consider
how many of our problems today are
problems that cross national
boundaries, and how easy it would
be to share the burden and
excitement of problem-solving as
well.”
Jeffrey Sachs