Global Collaboration

by Becky Ranks

My last post from NECC centers on the Keynote address on Tuesday. Lester Holt from NBC News interviewed two Canadian educators, Jim Carleton and Mali Bickley who are involved with numerous collaborations with classes from all over the world. It was a very moving presentation as they have participated in projects that have sent student made peace pigeons to Hiroshimaand have raised funds to build a high school for very needy students in Sierra Leone. NBC is involved as they have released their historical video archives for teaching and learning through a website called Hotchalk. There are numerous resources out there for global collaboration projects and many were highlighted in this keynote address.

iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world.

Another is:TakingITGlobal.org, an online community that connects youth to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities. It's the world's most popular online community for young people interested in making a difference, with hundreds of thousands of unique visitors each month.

There are so many unique ways to make connections and have students realize that they can make a difference, so I hope that this will inspire everyone to look further. Start small and collaborate with students in your own district, and then think bigger to connect with students across our country and then the world.

EdTech Action Network

by Becky Ranks

Today I am writing very briefly. For those of us who care about technology and its connection to teaching and learning in our schools in Maine, it’s time for political action. Here at NECC they have made it very easy to voice our opinions about the need for continued federal funding for technology. I am including a message from the ETAN website that explains their mission.
Join a growing number of educators across the nation who are “Making Their Voice Heard” in support of education technology. ETAN provides a forum for educators and others to engage in the political process and project a unified voice in support of a common cause – improving teaching and learning through the systemic use of technology. ETAN’s mission is to influence public policy-makers at the federal, state and local levels and to increase public investment in the competitiveness of America's classrooms and students.

So, all who read this go to the ETAN site and put in your zip code. It is so easy. They have written a letter for us that will be sent to our Maine legislators, and all you have to do is fill out a quick form and send. It’s a small thing to do that will have a large impact on our schools. I am also including a photo here of the Blogger’s Café, a very busy and thriving environment in the middle of NECC.