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Course Title: Meeting 21st Century Challenges through Global Education in the Science, Technology, and Math Classroom 

In this 8-week course, participating educators will develop strategies for guiding their students in a project-oriented, interdisciplinary approach using action research, traditional scientific methods, and mathematical problem-solving.  Educators and their students will identify and analyze a relevant problem in their community that relates to the curriculum and share their results, conclusions and concerns with other students around the world.  (Curriculum Standards Addressed in the Course)
 
Course Goals:
  • Identify the benefits of international collaboration and global project work
  • Learn how to integrate collaborative project-based learning into your teaching practice while addressing local/national educational standards
  • Develop a project plan to implement in your Science Technology or Math class
  • Learn how to prepare your students for online global project work and evaluate their learning
  • Network with educators in the course and around the world

Facilitators:

Amy Dwyer

Amy Dwyer
USA

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Lockias Chitanana

Lockias Chitanana
Zimbabwe

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Structure:

The course is asynchronous. This means participants work in their own time from home or school to complete weekly assignments. However, courses are very interactive and communication is continuous during the course period. Each course has 25 participants and two facilitators. You will communicate with one another through the iEARN discussion forums to discuss assignment and readings. You can expect frequent feedback from your facilitators and participants throughout the course period.

Each course is divided into eight modules (one lesson per week) with readings, discussions, individual and group assignments. Lessons and assignments take participants step-by-step through the process of integrating an online collaborative project into their classroom. Participants will select a project that matches their state/national standards and begin integrating the project into their classroom during the course period.

Participants can expect to commit 4-5 hours a week for a course.

Educators who successfully complete all the course requirements will receive a certificate from iEARN-USA with recognition as an iEARN Master Teacher

Prerequisites

  • Basic word processing, Internet and e-mailing skills
  • Reliable access to a computer and Internet
  • Availability to commit at least 5 hours a week to course activities
  • A classroom/students whom you will be working with throughout the course period
  • Working knowledge of English

 

National Science Education Standards
[ reference: Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education ]

As a result of activities all students should develop
  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
  • Understandings about scientific inquiry
As a result of activities, all students should develop understanding of
  • Science as a human endeavor
  • Nature of scientific knowledge
  • Historical perspectives
As a result of all students should develop understanding of
  • Personal and community health
  • Population growth
  • Natural resources
  • Environmental quality
  • Natural and human-induced hazards
  • Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
National Math Standards
[ reference: MCREL ]

Standard 9.    Understands the general nature and uses of mathematics
  • Level II (Grades 3-5) Understands that numbers and the operations performed on them can be used to describe things in the real world and predict what might occur
  • Level IV (Grades 9-12) Understands that theories in mathematics are greatly influenced by practical issues; real-world problems sometimes result in new mathematical theories and pure mathematical theories sometimes have highly practical applications
ISTE NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) for Teachers
[reference ISTE ]

Effective teachers model and apply the National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS•S) as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for
students, colleagues, and the community. All teachers should meet the following standards and performance indicators. Teachers:

1.    Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
  a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
  b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
  c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes
  d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments
2.  Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers:
a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and  resources to promote student learning and creativity
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress
c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching
4.  Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:
a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and  providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools   and resources
c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools
5.  Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
 Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers:
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
(NETS•S - National Educational Technology Standards) and Performance Indicators for Students

1.    Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
2.     Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.  Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other    cultures.
d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.
4.     Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. 
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.  Students:
a. identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b. plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project. c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
5.     Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Framework for 21st Century Learning

Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes
• Global Awareness
Learning and Innovation Skills
• Creativity and Innovation
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication and Collaboration
Information, Media and Technology Skills
• Information Literacy
• Media Literacy
• ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy
Life and Career Skills
• Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
• Productivity and Accountability
 
 
 iEARN was honored as a Laureate in the Education category for the 2004 Tech Museum Awards
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  iEARN received a 2003 Goldman Sachs' Prize for Excellence in International Education with the Asia Society
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