Global Education Conference 2014

I am looking forward to attending the Global Education Conference beginning on November 17th. The online conference schedule is full of keynote speakers and presenters who will enlighten and inspire. The highlight for me will be the launch of the Global Classroom Project on Nov. 21st at 6:00 am CST. We will officially launch our 5th year of global connections and projects. Please look over the information below to learn more about participating in this amazing event! 

Globally Connected at #ISTE2014

We started our journey to #ISTE2014 on Friday by driving from Texas to Alabama where we stayed with my dear #2ndchat friend Carol McLaughin. We have worked together for several years on #2ndchat and have collaborated on a few projects. It was so fun getting to sit on her couch and just chat!

Saturday morning we arrived, checked in, got our peach popcicle and got busy. What an exciting first day at #ISTE2014! We started out in the Bloggers Cafe where I met many new people as we shared our Networking Game Codes. It's pretty cool how the game "forces" you to talk to people and pulls you out of the comfort zone. I met so many great people today while exchanging codes. 

One of the highlights of my day was seeing Monte Tatom again (I met him last year at #ISTE13), Shelley Terrell, and John Spencer. I have participated in so many of Shelley's webinars and it was nice to finally meet her in person.

Monte Tatom and Shelley Terrell

 
I also met Brad Wilson - the creator of the Write About This app. This is a really great app for elementary-age students and I can't wait to see what else he comes up with. I love his Twitter handle: @dreambition. I think that many ISTE attendees have big dreams and lots of ambition for our classrooms. Entrpreneurs like Brad help make that happen.

Brad Wilson of www.21innovate.com

I finally met some of my #globalclassroom colleagues face-to-face and I loved how it we already felt so comfortable with each other because of the time we have spent working together virtually over the past several years.

Hugh MacDonald and Robyn Thiessen, and Karen Stadler

I attended the Global Education Conference Summit in the afternoon and enjoyed the round table discussions and ignite sessions. I actually got up there and presented an ignite session for the Global Classroom Project! Wow! Fun and scary all at the same time!

I also got to meet the amazing Kitty Tripp!

Listening to Aaron Brzowski explain Project Purus and how he brought clean water to the SAV School in Nepal. 

We went over to the CNN Center to grab a quick dinner before the keynote and because it was so busy we sat with a young man we didn't know, but was wearing an ISTE tag. We had a great time getting to know Edxavier from Puerto Rico and then Popy from Canada joined us! Wonder if we would ever do that at the mall at home?

Edxavier, Popy, and my hubby!

After the keynote, we worked together at the Global Classroom poster session sharing our amazing stories and encouraging others to get globally connected. It was also a great time to meet more people.

Preston Morgan, Anne Mirtschin, Theresa Allen, Karen Stadler, Robyn Thiessen, Louise Morgan, David Karnoscak

David Karnoscak and Elvira (Elle_Gifted)

Summer Diamond and Karen Stadler

Molly Risewick-Zeno

It was a long day, but truly memorable. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Our Global Classroom Projects

Since the beginning of school, my classroom has been busy with many global projects.  We started off September with International Peace Day and Dot Day.  In October, Siyanda the Traveling Rhino arrived along with Charlotte, a flat friend from Australia.  These projects have kept us busy, but it's a good busy. We are learning about the world around us, different cultures, and empathy. 

The Traveling Rhino Project 
Karen Stadler @ICT_Integrator

This Global Classroom Project was created by Karen Stadler in S. Africa after she visited Kruger National Park July 2012. Poachers are killing rhinos in large numbers for their horns and Karen wanted to bring awareness to the situation. She sent 5 Rhinos around the world and the project caught on. At this point, there is no end in sight for this project. 

This map shows a different color for each rhino and where they have been so far.

Educators are keen to participate because they see the value in the project:

• To educate the children of South Africa and the rest of the world about these beautiful creatures.

• To raise awareness among the children of the world as to the plight of these gentle giants. To unite the voices of the children of the world in asking the powers that be i.e. governments, organisations, institutions etc. to take IMMEDIATE action.

• To try to make a difference in our world and in the future existence of the rhinos, for the future of our children

• To promote and nurture empathy.

Flat Friends and Mascot Exchange 
Julie Simmons @BJacketsFan

I received an email from Jane Sloan at Roseville College Junior School in Australia asking if we would host a flat friend. I have never participated in this type of project so I agreed.  Charlotte arrived with her friend Koala and a book all about Australia and her school. My students loved learning about Australia and comparing our two schools. Charlotte accompanied us on a field trip to a local theater and inspired us to create a book all about Texas for her class.   

The value of this project includes:

• To share information about one’s own community and culture with students from other cultures and communities

• To learn about places around the world by monitoring the adventures of flat friends’ visits to participating classrooms.

• To develop an understanding of maps and to identify other places on a map

Mystery Location / Mystery Skype
A collaborative effort by HLW Skypers

This project can be something you do weekly throughout the year. It is a great way to meet and connect with new classrooms. So far, my students have participated in 6 mystery skype sessions.  It takes a while to teach them the map and communication skills needed to be successful for this activity, but it is fun and engaging. The Global Classroom Project currently has almost 200 classes on their list that you can connect with! 

The value of this project includes:

• Students will use map skills to find the location of the mystery classroom

• Students will use communication and critical thinking skills to ask questions to help them find the mystery location.

• Classes communicate with other classrooms via Skype or Google+ Hangouts.

• Students will learn to respect and appreciate the cultures and customs of others.

• Students will be able to see the differences and similarities between themselves and others around the world.

About the The Global Classroom Project

Currently the Global Classroom Project is hosting 17 projects. These projects were created by educators for educators who understand that 21st century learning means connecting and learning with classrooms around the world. 

Please join Michael Graffin for our official launch at the Global Education Conference. During his online presentations, you will have the opportunity to meet the project creators and participants and learn about each project. He will be doing two presentations to accomodate time zones:

Global Classroom 2013-14 Stories & Project Launch:

#1 - Global Education Conference (Nov 22 at 11:00GMT - Time converter)

6AM New York, 11AM London, 7PM Shanghai)

#2 - Saturday Nov 23 (20:00GMT, 3PM New York, sunday Nov 24 - 7AM Sydney, 9AM Auckland) (Time Converter)

My First Day at #ISTE13

My first day at #ISTE13 was both overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time. So many familiar faces from around the world with whom I have conversed with via Twitter, Skype IM, and other social networks came to life today. It was so fun meeting everyone face to face!

The highlight of the day was the Global Education Conference Summit where breakout groups worked together to plan and discuss global collaboration. The Global Classroom Project was well represented with several participants including: Karen Lirenman, Anne Mirtschin, Melvina Kurashige, and Paula Naugle.

Louise Morgan, Karen Lirenman, Paula Naugle, Melvina Kurashige

Louise Morgan, Karen Lirenman, Anne Mirtschin, Preston Morgan

The plan for the session was to include some virtual participants via Google Hangouts, but the room was so loud - but it was a good loud with so much conversation going on about global collaboration. The discussion was rich and engaging. 

My take away from this session: Now that we all know how to connect and use the tools, how can we take it to the next level and make it more meaningful, ongoing, and part of our everyday classroom activities? The educators in this session are not interested in making one-time Skype connections. The consensus is that they want real, ongoing, and authentic collaboration between classrooms.  

The goal for this session was to brainstorm project ideas for the upcoming 2013-14 school year, but it was so fast and furious that we did not really get to that. If you would like to submit ideas for the Global Classroom Project please fill out this FORM.  You can also learn more about the Global Classroom Project by referring to this GOOGLE DOC that has a lot of great links and a place for you to ask questions or make comments.

I am looking forward to the next three days of learning and sharing. Follow my tweets on Twitter @mrsmorgansclass. You can also folllow the ISTE twitter feed by searching #ISTE13.