Ewan McIntosh and Bill Fowler Question 1
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nancy J. on -
While I am not quite sure what this question means as it seems worded strangely, but I think the best thing to get by builidng learning communities is understanding of one another, of other cultures, and of other ideas while actively engaging in learning.
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Permalink Reply by Vicki Pascaretti on -
Working with others provides students and teachers with cultural awareness, empathy, and an appreciation for the issues that people around the world deal with on a daily basis. Having students engage in real world issues and collaboratively search for answers to these issues is rewarding, engaging, and makes a difference in the lives of people all over the world. We learn most from others through global collaboration because each culture brings their own expertise and ideas to the table.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Harvey on -
multi media eg. skype, mail, photos, sharing stories
online resources like maps, historical documents, modern takes on old stuff through video, youtube
international programmes like the IB that encourages communication and interculturalism among learners
sharing of cultures and languages
sharing by teachers of experiences and expertise
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Permalink Reply by Michael Pennington on -
Garth Holman and myself have found great success using wikis and our professional blog. Our student-created wiki textbook has been viewed and edited by teachers and students from around the country. Our professional blog, teachersfortomorrow.net, gets severl hundred hits a day and allows us to communicate and reflect about teaching and learning. Really it is all about social media; posts and comments lead to Skype calls, emails and student collaboration.
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Permalink Reply by Jeanne Faucheux on
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I think access to information about worldwide cultures through online sources allows students to develop a sense of the history and values of others. In addition, technology that links students with others leads to real contact with the world. This, in turn, leads to reflection and awareness of our own local identity and the role it plays in the world.
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Permalink Reply by James F. Gaul on
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I agree with Nancy J that this wording is strange. I'm not sure what will count as an answer. One obvious response is that the proliferation of communication devices and programs makes it much easier for people to discover what others are saying about the topics of the day. Of course, that doesn't guarantee that there is understanding, i.e. that they actually know what others are thinking. Certainly, though, there are opportunities for good communication that never existed before.
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Permalink Reply by Morag Riddell on -
I guess being able to connect with almost anyone from anywhere at anytime is the main opportunity. That said I think some of the most interesting people have not embraced technology and that makes them a lost resource to use with students in a face-to-face type of way. I'm not sure if students have enough patience to develop a learning relationship with people who only communicate by letters and phone calls but maybe I'm just playing the Devil's advocate.
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Permalink Reply by Mary A. Warren on -
Technology afords us numerous opportunities to be connected locally, nationally and globally. The way we utilize the avenues of communication are the opportunities for building learning communities.
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Permalink Reply by Ewan McIntosh on -
I think the thrust of this question is primarily to see what examples, from around the world, we can see of learning communities being built and adding value to teaching and learning. If I was going to be provocative I might say that collaboration in and of itself is pointless - so tell me what collaborations you've seen that have really added to the depth and breadth of learning, built a sense of empathy amongst learners. What ingredients do we need for the most effective of learning communities?
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Permalink Reply by Brian Kaye on -
Effective learning communities engage all participants in the learning. More effective learning communities engage all stakeholders including students, staff, and parents. I have experienced a profound difference in the effectiveness of our professional learning committees when we include local community businesses, parents in the community, and students. Including all of these people in the discussion/conversation sparks healthy debates which help us develop a shared understanding and vision.
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Permalink Reply by Bette Stanford on -
With products such as Skype and Moodle, the opportunities are unlimited. Last year I collaborated with a teacher from Russia who wanted her small class to work with a small class in the states. The kids from both sides created self profiles with pictures that we shared. I think my students were amazed that the high school students in Russia looked just liked them and the boys especially thought the girls were very cute. I'm not sure what they expected...mukluks and fur hats? The Russian teacher and I are all ready in contact to plan to share an English lesson this year so that her students can improve their English. It was a great teaching tool to help my kids understand cultural differences and sensitivity. We did not get to Skype with the classes because we ran out of time in the spring, just the teacher and I Skyped making plans, but that is definitely on the front burner. The students loved it, I learned a a lot and my students were highly engaged in our contacts with their counterparts.
It worked so well, I'd like to plan to locate and contact another Resource English class in the states this year to set up lessons between the students.
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Permalink Reply by James R. Daniels on -
The main opportunities come from Web 2.0 sites that promote the sharing of projects and lessons.
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