Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

Flat Connections regularly needs volunteer teachers to help review students work. This is a great opportunity to be part of global collaborative learning and to extend your PLN. Volunteer today!

This article suggests ways to bring global perspectives into the classroom through: * Books - global stories * Textbooks that specifically feature global perspectives * Involvement in global projects * Bringing personal travel experiences into the classroom * Connecting with global educators online * Connecting with classrooms overseas, e.g. Pen Pal Schools

This is a great article because it provides many practical resources to help teachers get started in connecting their classes to other students around the world. It also includes a list of resources to help facilitate this digital communication and collaboration. There are links to these resources for further information.

"Surely, online interactions can be shallow, but it's no certainty. I've spent over a decade in different online spaces-primarily as a member of various web fora where sub-communities exist-and I cannot say that what I've witnessed and experienced was anything less than a human desire to connect with others. Sometimes these online spaces offered, for those who felt lonely or isolated by their interests in their physical environments, a place to belong. In other words, for many people I've encountered, these are not places for leading a shallow existence."

probably a well known example for many but new to me so .....

An elementary school in our district recently got 30 iPads and asked for some advice implementing them with students and teachers. In addition to suggesting some starter apps, I recommended that we have conversations with kids around the appropriate use of these devices. While almost every child has used an iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, the exciting learning opportunities these mobile, Internet-connected, media creation devices create also open the door to new challenges. Cyberbullying or inappropriate web publishing happens more through the camera than regular computer use does; the mobility of the device combined with the reality that multiple users are using the device with no personalized, password-protected, network-tracked accounts makes it more challenging to keep track of who is doing what with the device or that the device itself is safe.

Students in Gr 1 at Frederica Academy, Georgia USA introduce themselves to partners in the K-2 Building Bridges to Tomorrow, Flat Connections project http://flatconnections.com

"LinkedIn is the world's most popular professional networking site, with 238 million users. It rakes in a truckload of money from not very subtle advertising, subscriptions and recruitment agencies and its shares are currently valued at $US231 each. But unlike its social networking friends, Twitter and Facebook, something seems slightly askew with LinkedIn's integrity model."

As part of our Connected Learning Community, we are highlighting the importance of balance, safety and responsible behavior online (generally called "Digital Citizenship") through a variety of events, lessons and activities.

An example of the power of Twitter for a Primary School to connect and communicate with the world.

"It sounds like the stuff of sci-fi nightmares - a stranger hacking your baby cam and shouting abuse at your toddler. Someone controlling your home's lights and power points via a system that should only respond to your smartphone. Criminals watching you and your family from your smart TV without your knowledge. But each of these has already happened, and mark the beginning of a cyber crime wave threatening business, governments and individuals around the world. The number of smart devices being connected online in what's called the "Internet of Things" will rocket from 13 billion to an estimated 50 billion by 2020. The problem, says LA security consultant Marc Goodman, is that they're all hackable."

"I took an informal poll of my 150 students at the beginning of the year, and 60-80% of my students don't even have a facebook. They connect with each other on Kik, an app that allows users to text each other without exchanging phone numbers. They use Snapchat, an app that allows users to send pictures that supposedly disappear forever after ten seconds. They use Whisper, an app that a user can "anonymously" tell their deepest secrets to a vast community of other secret sharers. They use Yik Yak, Vine, Tumblr, Twitter (do you know about subtweeting? you should.), Instagram, Oovoo, WhatsApp, Meerkat, and sometimes even dating apps, like Tinder."

In Togetherville, children learn much more than computer skills. They learn how to use technology to connect with the important people in their lives - safely. And those important people show them how to act responsibly online. Whether a parent, aunt, grandparent or family friend, take this role seriously and participate in the online neighborhoods of kids in your life

a digital product connecting Smithsonian's museums and research centers with the public.

"Last week, I wrote about how the internet facilitates civic participation and encourages individuals to connect with each other. But what about those on the other side of the digital divide? Not everyone has access to the technologies that enable this new kind of participation. As Gov 2.0 becomes the norm, and digital citizenship becomes even more intertwined with "offline" citizenship, how will we ensure that everyone is included in the benefits of participatory governance - not just those already fortunate enough to have broadband access at home and the know-how to use it effectively?"

"The Digital Citizenship and Creative Content program was developed to create awareness of intellectual property rights and foster a better understanding of the rights connected with creative content. Four units comprise the curriculum resources. Each unit consists of standalone yet complementary lesson plans that play off a creative rights scenario presented through a case study"

"How to integrate My Online Neighborhood into the classroom: My Online Neighborhood is a nice entry point for teaching Internet safety. Use the video to spur classroom discussions about online safety. The video also makes a nice lead in to the Internet safety lessons from Common Sense Media on Digital Life (sending email, online communities, rings of responsibility), Privacy (follow the digital trail), Connected Culture (screen out the mean, show respect online, power of words, group think, writing good emails), and Respecting Creative Work (whose is it, anyway?). These units and lessons are detailed, fun, and get right to the heart of the matter of raising digitally responsible citizens. The lesson plans are leveled by grade and can be used for kindergarten through fifth grade."

"Facebook takes safety very seriously and strives to create an environment where everyone can connect and share comfortably. Find answers to a variety of safety questions here."

"While the first instinct in schools and districts is often to block services such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and even some blogging platforms, the positives of these tools often outweigh the negatives. When used well, social media tools connect all stakeholders in a school community in a ways that have never before been possible. "