For Educators
Implement Virtual Exchange in Your Classroom
Becoming an iEARN-USA member opens your classroom up to a large global network of peers with access to curated projects across a variety of subject matter that is fully aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. We offer access to professional development and the opportunity to build your network with teachers from our global community.
Virtual Projects
iEARN projects are designed and facilitated by educators in our network who teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Creative & Language Arts, or Social Studies. These iEARN educators from across the globe have designed iEARN projects based on what they do in their classes and what they know works for students.
The project activities and recommendations are designed to support and enhance a teacher’s core curriculum. They are intentionally designed to allow teachers autonomy to decide what standards they cover within the project while simultaneously engaging the students in reflection, inquiry, and cross-cultural exploration that lead to global competencies.
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Many iEARN projects use a PBL framework to enable students to explore ideas that are most interesting and relevant to them. Within this framework, projects integrate feedback, inquiry, and collaborative learning with classrooms around the world.
PBL model:
- Challenging Question
- Sustained Inquiry
- Student Voice & Choice
- Reflection
iEARN Has Projects For:
STEM
Creative & Language Arts
Social Sciences
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Sample Lesson Plan
Global Compentencies
The PISA 2018 Global Competence assessment measures students’ capacity to examine local, global and intercultural issues, to engage in open, appropriate and effective interactions with people from different cultures, and to act for collective well-being and sustainable development Source: oecd.org
What is Global Competence?
Global Competence is a complex set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to engage in global issues and intercultural engagement. At iEARN-USA we consider the four pillars of Global Competence:
- Examining local, global, and intercultural issues.
- Understanding and appreciating the world views of others.
- Engaging in open, appropriate, and effective interactions across cultures.
- Taking action for collective well-being and sustainable development.
iEARN-USA evaluates our international collaborative projects to ensure that students and teachers can engage in shared learning that promotes academic success and builds Global Competencies.
Global Education Resources
iEARN projects must answer the question, “How will this project the quality of life on the planet? Youth around the world are learning with each other through collaborative iEARN projects to make a difference in their local and global communities. Through collective learning and action, youth are making a difference through iEARN projects that meet the global Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
Preparing For Virtual Exchange
iEARN USA provides resources and self-paced professional development to help classes prepare for virtual exchange.
Global Education Ambassadors
Our Global Education Ambassadors (GEA’s) are a select group of volunteer educators and administrators throughout the United States who play a critical role in supporting iEARN and iEARN-USA’s members to expand global education. Learn more about our GEA’s here.
iEARN 101 and 102
iEARN USA offers free, on-demand professional development for our members. Our iEARN 101 and 102 Training Series walks you through the basics of what you need to know to get started with iEARN and integrate our global virtual exchange projects into your classroom and curriculum.
Teacher Forum
iEARN USA members have access to our international teacher forum a robust community of teachers across the world. The Teacher Forum is a great place to find partner classes for a project, share resources, and meet teachers from across the iEARN international network.
Want to prepare your students for cross-cultural dialogue? iEARN USA members have access to lessons and activities teachers can do in their classrooms to prepare students for international exchange.
Technology Requirements
Students with access to the internet can participate in iEARN projects using a computer, laptop, or mobile device. A list of our required domains can be provided to your IT department.
Data & Privacy Policy
iEARN-USA is committed to upholding the confidentiality and security of participant data. Please see our Privacy page to understand what we do with the data we collect from this site.
Student data is not collected on this site.
Our commitment to FERPA compliance ensures that we maintain the confidentiality and integrity of student records, reinforcing trust with students, parents, and educational partners.
Student data is managed in our Learning Management System (LMS), Powerschool/Schoology. Please see the PowerSchool privacy page to understand student data privacy in our LMS.
Link to the privacy page from us.iearn.org and link to the PowerSchool privacy page. (https://www.powerschool.com/privacy/)
Study Abroad Programs
iEARN-USA is proud to be an implementing organization for several study abroad programs, including the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs and the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) that are funded and supported by the United States Department of State Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau.
