Technology Tools to Connect Kids with the World

Problem Based Learning in a Global WorldShare Fair KansasAndover, Feb. 2017Mike Soskil @msoskil

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----- Meeting Notes (11/18/16 12:28) -----The purpose of school is not to prepare kids for tests, colleges, or careers. The purpose of school is to give students the tools they need to be happy in their lives.3

My Science Lab

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.

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

Empathy

----- Meeting Notes (10/23/16 18:05) -----Whether we define success as financial or personal happiness, research has shown that empathy correlates best with success in later life.

We must focus on this in schools.7

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

----- Meeting Notes (11/18/16 10:36) -----Emotion - Limbic SystemMotivation - Karl Drucker (Candle Experiment)

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Why Global Learning?Cultural Understanding

Emotional Experiences

Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity

Student Empowerment

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How do I get started?

Rachels Story

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Its hard to change the world when you dont know much about it.

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South Elementary Global Connections

Song/Cultural ExchangesVirtual ValentinesExchange Skype/YT Video MessagesData Collection in Collaborative SpreadsheetsQuadbloggingSlow Twitter ChatCollaborative PBL ProjectsMystery SkypeSkype Teacher Exchange (guest teacher from another location)Digital Post Cards

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The Magic Words

We should do something about that.

Distance Teaching Project

distanceteaching.weebly.com

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Project LINChttp://projectlinc.clubefl.gr/Kansas Students Microsoft Video

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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.

Beth Heidemanns Kindergardeners in Cushing, Maine

Hanif and Gethera Video by the Ms. Heidemann & the Cushkins

Children are never too young to change the world.

Food Pantry Video by the Cushkins

Thats great for your students.

But, how do I do that?

Growth Mindset

Virtual Field Trips

Skype in the Classroom: education.skype.comDiscovery Education: discoveryeducation.com/featured-programsExploring by the Seat of Your Pants: exploringbytheseat.comJASON Learning: jason.orgLivingMaths: livingmaths.com

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SANCCOB

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

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Mystery Skype w/ Steve Sherman

Skype in the Classroom: Education.Skype.com

Overcoming Time Zone Issues

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The 5 Clue ChallengeUse 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

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5 Clue Challenge Mystery Location #1

5 Clue Challenge Mystery Location #2

5 Clue Challenge Mystery Animal #1

Global Teacher Leaders Projects Curriculum based global projects where we make the connections easy for you

World Read Aloud SkypeathonAwesome SquigglesVirtual Valentines Project Global Kidwish ProjectGlobal Video Exchange

GlobalTeacherLeaders.com

TheGlobalReadAloud.com

How do I make connections?

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

Tweetdeck.com

Finding Global ConnectionsTwitter/TweetdeckHave students contact expertsFacebookFriends/Family

Twitter for Global Connections#GlobalEd#TeachersLeading@SkypeClassroom

#GlobalClassroom#MysterySkype#Skype2Learn

#MIEExpert#TeachersMatter#SkypeMT

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

HIP Academy - Mukuyuni Bridge Project

The ProblemThe 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 crossDuring the rainy season, nobody from the far side of the village can go to schoolThe creek below is very deep (6-12m), and the current can be fastAny new bridge would need to span 25 metersThe middle 12 meters of the bridge cannot have supports underneath due to the creekThe bridge must be wide enough for two people to pass each other

Types of Bridges - Beam

Types of Bridges Beam with Supports

Types of Bridges - Arch

Types of Bridges - Suspension

Types of Bridges - Truss

Time to be an Engineer Build a bridge that will hold as many pennies as possible.Use only 2 pieces of paper - Nothing elsePaper can be folded, crumpled, torn, or cutScale: 1cm : 1m (must be 25cm long and wide enough for 2 people)The middle 12cm of the bridge cannot have supports

Before building, draw your design.Build your design, and test it by adding one penny at a time.Watch carefully to see where and how your bridge fails.Use what you learned from the failure to redesign a better bridge and repeat.

Fredrick MazunguHIP AcademyMukuyuni, Kenya

Learn more about HIP Academy and how your students can get involved in helping:

LivingstoneKegode@gmail.com

OpenWorldCause.org

How could this be adapted to other subjects?

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

Connect with Me

Twitter: @msoskil

Website: michaelsoskil.com

Email: mrsoskil@gmail.com

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