Project Methodology and Highlights
In
iEARN's experience, the key to sustained interaction among schools is
identification of the curriculum-based common interests of the teachers
involved. iEARN has a dedicated place for all new participating
teachers and youth to introduce themselves and create their own
partnerships within this collaborative project structure. Each
participating school, with assistance from the iEARN coordinators,
identifies their partners based on common interests in general
conversations and ongoing project collaborations.
Because these are
through WWW-based forums, the introductions
posted at any point in the
life of the project are available to all teachers, resulting in a
gradually larger community. This process has been effective because all
of the participants who come online quickly meet each other, discuss
issues of common interest, and get involved in existing projects while
waiting for potential partners to arrive online from countries who are
newly connected and trained.New participants in the BRIDGE Program are encouraged to meet their colleagues and peers internationally via:
- Teachers (newsgroup: apc.iearn.teachers) - This
forum is a place for teachers to meet and talk, make announcements
and updates. It is also a place to share initial project ideas in
order to find other people who might want to help develop a project.
As part of their introduction into iEARN, new teachers are encouraged
to post a message to introduce themselves, and describe briefly themselves
and any special interests they or their class have.
- Youth (newsgroup: apc.iearn.youth)-
In this forum, young people can meet each other, share ideas and topics
of interest, and consider ways they can work together.
Further information about getting started in iEARN projects can be found on the iEARN Global Website at http://www.iearn.org/professional/prof_connections.html
"Students
from the Advanced Placement World History class at the Metropolitan
Learning Center in Bloomfield, CT. USA, will share what the have
learned as a result of reading the book, "The Diligent: A Voyage
Through the Worlds of the Slave Trade" by Robert Harms. The Diligent
was a French ship that took part in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade from
France to the Atlantic Islands, to West Africa and on to the Caribbean
in the early 18th century... Even if you never get a chance to read the
book (but we hope that you DO get a chance), please join us in
discussing this topic." - Caryn Stedman of the Metropolitan Learning Center in Connecticut, USA
"I'm
nour chakroun, the Tunisian facilitator for the tunisian group taking
part in this project .Most of you requested us to take part in the
discussions about the "diligent " , so I'm writing on behalf of my
students . Most of my students say that they studied the transatlantic
slave trade which was between france , America and Africa in history
but they never knew about these cruel practices against the black
slaves. Actually, Tunisia has never been involved in that trade that's
why ,we would love to know more details about how the black African
people ple used to be taken to America and how this affected their
lives later. I'm also impressed with the way you study history in your
country , -through discussing a novel - if I'm not mistaken - but I
believe that you must also rely on objective documents to get the true
versions of events and facts, don't you? Looking forward to your reply. - Yours, nour, el canal school , BIZERTA TUNISIA
"Hi everyone...
just want to say thank you to all of you for encouraging my student by
replying to their postings. i have started this lewin project with my
grade II and III and very soon will be introducing to older classes as
well. i wanted to share their excitement with all of you. One of
my grade II student remarked on the day he got a reply for his posting
"this is the best day of my life." Another student of grade III
was explaining his project to his another teacher and very excitedly
said" Miss do you know that the whole world.... do you know what i mean
when i say the whole world...so the whole world will read my postings
online." I just don't have words to convey their pride and
excitement that I see on their faces after each posting. So much so
that now the situation is that they themselves are trying to squeeze
time out from their daily routine for some minutes in computer lab. At
times I have to push them out of my lab. But it is a learning
experiance on my end also as i understood the real spirit of the lewin
project." -regards, Naila Khan, Pakistan Jan 23, 2005
Project Highlights
An
integral part of BRIDGE is connecting youth using virtual exchange and
online collaborative learning. Here you'll find dyaminc examples
of youth engaging in iEARN projects and online forums. Visit Project Methodology for more information.
iEARN PROJECT: Good Deeds
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The iEARN Good Deeds Project began in September 2003 and continues to
grow strong. Students can engage in cooperative learning
activities and present their thoughts in an array of forms including
short stories, essays, art and even in questions. The project's
primary goal is to encourage children and youth towards "personal
reflection" in order to assess and ponder their own deeds towards other
people, things and creatures. With this, Good Deeds also
encourages the importance of service learning and community
service. Today, forums are found in both English and Arabic with
more languages expected to start quite soon.
Good Deeds Newsflash:
 Recently
Egypt youths from the Zhran School in Alexandria, completed work on
their own Good Deeds website. This wonderful project was a joint
effort between iEARN youths, their team leader Basem Younis and their
supervisor Mrs. Rania Khamis. As team leader, Basem unveiled the
website in true iEARN fashion via virtual exchange. The website
presents Zhran School's efforts as active members of the community
engaging in service activities. Some activities included a visit
to an orphanage and a senior citizen home. Basem's team is a
dynamic example of good deeds and great values. Most importantly,
their work reveals how collaborative online projects motivate children
and youths from around the world to connect and make a difference in
their communities. As a result, their pictures, personal
reflections and even websites inspire other youths to do good deeds as
well.
Please visit the Zhran School Good Deed
website for stories and more pictures:
PROJECT SUMMARY:
The iEARN A Day in the Life Project is an ongoing project open to all ages
where students submit descriptions of one typical day in their
life. Students can share daily reflections, share aspects about
their culture, and even share pictures. It's an interactive way
for students to get a glimpse into the lives of students across
borders while helping children and youth ask questions about the
differences and or similarities between their cultures.
A Day in the Life Newsflash:
 Chris
Baer, a US teacher at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, hosted an
event entitled, "Evening of the Arts", to coincide with iEARN's online
collaborative project - A Day in the Life. Several hundred
community members including parents, students and other citizens
gathered to see numerous Pakistani pictures on exhibit. Across
the ocean, students from Vineyard Regional High, switch on their
computers and virtually connect with students in Pakistan. This
highly interactive project motivates youth to share and or compare
their cultures, special events, and daily routines of the morning or
even dinner time.
Building on the success of the
project's discussion forums, Baer created a forum entitled, A Day in
the Life Photo Diaries. Here students in the US, Pakistan and
other BRIDGE countries like India, post digital photographs showing
what their life is like - from anything from clothing, to foods, to
what their schools look like - and hence the grand success of Baer's Evening
of the Arts.
 The photos and discussions promoted
cross cultural understanding further and transformed students'
collaborative online work into a physical production. To top it
off, Baer received the school committee's permission to undertake a
donation project in collecting digital cameras and other technology
equipment. Evening of the Arts and the donation project have both
received strong support from community members as well as local media
outlets. One local station televised the school committee's
meeting and a local newspaper interviewed Baer on the event. (Right:
Picture submitted by 11 year old Pakistani student, Samana Ali, showing
part of their school play on racial discrimination.)
An "Evening of the Arts" on Martha's Vineyard
 May 12, 2005:
iEARN US Teacher at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School hosts an "Evening of the Arts" for community members. The event was a
photograph exhibit of Pakistani pictures shared on the iEARN project,
"A Day in the Life". Students from Vineyard Regional High and youth
from Pakistan not only share personal reflections via the project's
forums but also share digital photos revealing what life looks like in
the US and in Pakistan. The pictures shown here were shared on the forum, "An
Exciting or Important Event" within the Day in the Life project -
showing the annual celebration of Basant which holds a kite flying
festival to welcome in the Spring season. Pictures were posted by
courtesy of Khurram Ilyas, Director of The Lords International School
System in Lahore Pakistan.
For a complete listing of iEARN
collaborative projects click HERE.
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Global Connections & Exchange Program (GCE) is made possible through support and funding from the US State
Department's (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). It
is a part of iEARN-USA's BRIDGE project which is committed to
connecting students and teachers in the US to those in countries with
significant Muslim populations |
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July 12-18, 2008
Bukhara, Uzbekistan
All are welcome to attend.
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