Preparing Students for International Collaboration

Ideas for Globalizing the Classroom Have a "World" bulletin board related to the subject your teaching: If you are giving a lesson on food habits, have a section of your board for "food" around the world, for example. If you are doing a section on "sports" keep your bulletin updated with what is happening with respect to this/these sport(s) around the world. Keep a map of the world in your classroom: Ask students to talk about the people and places they know and have visited-either virtually or physically. Mark those spots on the map. Create an international illustrated class diary where students can write about the different places they know about and the people they have met online and in-person. Encourage them to express their feelings and impressions. Add a section for the places they would like to know and discover. Consider also adding a clock or clocks set to the time in the country being studied. Give a purpose to your communication/partnership; Share it with others: In your lesson, add the "global" component by asking them questions that would require a cross-cultural comparison: "What would happen if we applied the same experiment in …"Get them curious to know others by using international writing or artwork as a class resource. Make sure students know what is expected; establish clear objectives, an agreed upon timeframe and expected outcomes. It is very important to keep students motivated: engage them in every step of the project, constantly update your project bulletin board and post the messages sent and received. (Keep one section of your bulletin board for time zones, facts about that country and pictures of their partners). Upon completion of the project have your students present their work to others at school. Keep cultural packages exchanged for future classes. -By Eliane Metni, Coordinator, iEARN-Lebanon

International communication

Tips on International Online Communication

1. Do not assume that other students will know if you are male or female by your first name. If you want them to know that you are male or female, tell them.
2. Almost all other countries use the metric system for measurement. A temperature of 30 degrees may seem cold to you but it be warm to your partners. (30 degrees Celsius is 86 degrees Fahrenheit.) Convert your measurements to metric in your communication. Most often the other student will have to translate the rest of your communication into their first language. Science Made Simple has a metric converter that is easy to use. http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/conversions.html
3. If you use slang expressions be sure to explain what they mean.
4. Remember how tedious it is to look up words in a dictionary. Use simple English words. Consider how phrases are translated literally. Can you imagine what someone would think if you wrote you had dirty blond hair?
5. Explain abbreviations when you use them.
6. Remember that most of the world uses a 24 hour clock. Three in the afternoon would be written 15:00. (You add 12 to number for the P.M. hours)
7. Most other countries will write dates with the day, month, year or even year, day, month rather than our system of writing month, day, year. Write out the name of the month to avoid confusion.
8. Remember the reader cannot see your face in your communication. Humor may often be interpreted literally and misunderstood. Use emoticons (smiley faces and other symbols) and punctuation such as asterisks to make emphasis. Be certain to state your emotions, do not assume they are known.
9. Most of the world learns British English language rather than US English. Words such as centre or colour may look misspelled but are correct for them.
   

Source: Diane Midness, Former Program Coordinator International School Partnerships through Technology

Working Internationally/Background information

Working Internationally? With the World at Your Fingertips, Review this Top Ten List!

MANNERS 1. When doing a project, it is not just business as usual, manners are a big part of the way things are done. Don't just plow ahead with the work. Take time to get to know the people in the project you are working on. Read a little about the culture. Be polite. Test your politeness IQ.

LANGUAGE 2. In many other countries, people take the time to learn a language, and therefore can converse in one of several languages. Learn a language or, become familiar with phrases you may want to know. It is a courtesy to the other participants.

WHERE IS THIS PLACE? 3. Go to http://www.nationalgeographic.comand look at the interactive map of the country you are working with. Learn the absolute and relative location, something of the movement of ideas, the five themes of geography are a good clue, resources of the region, the landmarks and icons, and the movement of ideas across the region. (A little in-depth of the history and culture will help a lot)

CULTURAL MAP 4. If you are working with one country or in exchange, take time to learn a little about the culture. Even though it is just an online project, if you understand the country a little more, differences will not be such a daunting problem. Cultural differences will prove to be quite interesting.

HIGH TECH TO LOW TECH 5.There are many levels of technology in international places all over the world. Usually a project has a certain level of technology that is required, but be aware of the rules for the project. Some people pay for the time the are online. Keep with the rules. Don't do extra email unless it is called for.

POLITICS 6. It is a good idea to read the newspapers of the country you are working with if it is one country. You get windows of information, information about holidays, and special events, and unusual news and tragedy. There are lots of sites that give this information.You might also peruse the Embassy website for information.

TIME 7. Choose a world time site or set of sites. (for example, http://www.kidlink.org)

REGION 8. What is the region like you are working with a country? How does this affect the country/ What are the resources of the region? The industry? Who are the people who live here? What is the historical culture? Indigenous resources? Natural features? What would be on their disaster map?

RELIGION 9. Religion is a part of the culture of a country. What are the prevailing religions or religion, and what are the ways in which this might be reflected in your project?

CULTURE 10. There is pop culture and there is culture. We have media culture and fast food culture and some icons of our country that are a part of world culture based on the media. As we are a young country, there are elements of culture and history of other countries that may not be so important to us. But in other countries, as you work or travel, you will find that culture with a capital "C" is really important. It is more than Mickey Mouse, McDonalds, and Mattell. Be aware that there may be a lot of misrepresentation of countries from a cultural perspective in the US. We may also have only a small knowledge of the history as well. The cultural map may be the most important of all.

- Source: Bonnie Bracey

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