Global Teenager Project "Today's learners are Tomorrow's leaders"

Global Teenager Project"Today's learners are Tomorrow's leaders" September 2010 www.globalteenager.org

What is GTP • A global project • With 12 years of experience • In 40 countries, 400 schools,16,000 students • Gathered in online collaborative learning • In thematic Learning Circles provided in 6 languages: English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Dutch, German

Structure of GTP • IICD, International Institute for Communication and Development, the Netherlands owns and manages the project • TRT, The Round Table Foundation in The Netherlands globally coordinates the project • GTP Country Coordinators, support GTP schools and teachers in each country with organizational support • GTP is a partner with iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network

Goals of GTP • To improve the quality of secondary school education by introducing schools to the exciting new applications of information and communication technologies (ICT) • To promote intercultural awareness and sensitivity by opening up regular, lively classroom debates in a safe and structured environment

How does GTP achieve its goals? • Through the well-known and proven concept of Learning Circles. • A Learning Circle is a collaborative didactical process that groups an average of 12 classes in thematic learning. • Classes involved in Learning Circles sponsor a question and contribute to the project by doing research and answering questions of others

GTP Learning Circles • GTP Learning Circles run twice a year: • September – November • February – April • GTP Learning Circles are grouped thematically by age level: • 9 – 12 • 12 – 15 • 15 – 18 • 18 – 23 (pilot) • In two main Learning Circle categories: • Communication Based • Research Based: open for classes having successful completed at least one communication based Learning Circle.

Technology Used Learning Circles use the following two technologies: • D-groups: http://dgroups.org • Web 2.0 technology, email based • PBWiki: each Learning Circle has its dedicated wiki. • Practice Wiki

Learning Circle Registration Process • Teachers/Classes select a theme • They send their placement form to the GTP Country Coordinators • Country Coordinators communicate with GTP Learning Circle facilitators • Teachers/Classes receive a confirmation email from GTP Learning Circle Facilitators

GTP LC Themes for 2010 - 2011 • All themes and forms are available online on the GTP site http://www.globalteenager.org • Here are the themes available in English for the 2010-2011 academic year:

Learning Circles 2010-2011 English Themes Age level 15-18 Communication based • Images and Sounds of my Country • Public Health in Our Community • Dreams and Ambitions • 21st Century Learning • Arts and Crafts • Olympics • World Literature • Migration • Language as a Bridge Research-based • Health Pandemics • Gender Equality • Trade and Commerce • Environmental Sustainability • MDG’s • 20th Century Personalities • Emerging Technologies • UBOD – United beyond Our Diversity Age level 18-23 Research-based • Emerging Technologies Age level: 9-12 Communication based • Making Friends • Colors and Sounds of my Country • Nature and World around us Age level 12-15 Communication based • What we eat and how we grow it • Games and Sports • My Dream • Reading is fun • Digital Generation • Images and Sounds of my Country Research-based • Children Rights and Responsibilities • Water is Life

Characteristics of GTP Learning Circle • Fixed timeline for a period of 10 weeks • 6 Phases • Each Learning Circle groups an average of 12 classes • Requires a commitment from classes to follow the timeline and complete all the Learning Circle activities • Participation is graded • Participants receive a certificate of completion

Specific Objectives of Learning Circles The objectives of the Learning Circles are for students to: • Search, analyze and evaluate information • Organize the information • Find collaborative solutions • Enhance their collaborative skills • Acquire self-confidence • Develop individual and collaborative responsibility skills • Effectively use of ICT in collaborative projects

Learning Circle Phases

Preparation Phase During this phase • Get acquainted with the online Learning Circle environment, the participants and test the tools • Post letters to students and inform the parents

Introduction Phase • During this phase: • Official opening of the Learning Circle with the facilitator’s welcome message • Teachers send/post their introduction letter • Students prepare their class introductions and send information about themselves and their countries • Classes start to communicate via the Internet

What should the introductions include? The teacher’s name and class grade level Information about the class, such as students’ favorites/hobbies/music/books/foods etc… Information about the school and its programs Characteristics about your community Preparing Class Introductions

Examples of Introduction Letters • Sample of Teacher letter from GTP site Hello, My name is Goodman Johnson, I am a teacher in Iceland, I teach Russian and English languages. I have been teaching in a secondary technical school called Akureyri High School. This school is situated in Akureyri, which is city in Iceland. I am a new member in GTP and I am really looking forward to meeting and chatting, writing with new members from any parts of the world. My hobbies are the following: going to theatres, learning new teaching methods and definitely dealing with my students. Best wishes, Goodman Johnson

Examples of Introduction Letters Sample of Students letter from GTP site Hello, We are students in class 10D in a secondary technical school, which is situated not far from The downtown in Akuyeyri.We really appreciate the chance to participate in this program which is really new for us. We are very enthusiastic and very keen on meeting new students from other countries. We feel like writing e-mails and letters as well. We are looking forward to getting your replies and questions. Now we introduce ourselves (it is incomplete, because a lot of classmates are absent because of flu and H1N1 virus – we hopefully send the introductions of others next week) My name is Michael Hess. I am 16 years old. I live with my grandma. I am an only child. My favourite hobbies are: listening to music and singing. My name is Angela Malm. I am 16 years old. I have got a brother and a sister. I have got a pet as well. My favourite subject is literature. My hobbies are: travelling, surfing on the net and meeting new friends. My name is Matilda Asante I am 15 years old. I live in Budapest. I have a brother. My favourite subject is Art. I haven’t got any pets, unfortunately. I like playing computer games and surfing the Internet.

During this phase: Discuss with your students the Learning Circle theme and possible questions Formulate a question and share it with the LC participants Read the question of other participants Get/give feedback from participants and the facilitators TIP: During this phase you could prepare your Learning Circle bulletin board in your class Question Phase 20

Should be sent in time Related to the theme of the LC Clear definition without possible misinterpretation, taking into consideration cultural differences One question unless clarification is required by the facilitator. The clarification could be in the form of 3-5 sub-questions to guide the research The question should be 'open' and initiate research, no 'closed question' that can be answered with Yes/No or very simple answer The answer requires research The question should reflect international and global learning, and avoid focusing on one country or region If the question doesn't match these criteria facilitator will request to rework the question Criteria for Quality Question

Selecting A Question • The question you and your students select will involve learning experiences that take place in your classroom as well as in the Learning Circle participants’ classes. • Encourage your students to provide some initial background or describe activities that are taking place in your classroom related to the theme and the question. • Describe the type of information you expect for your question; your students will need to let the other classes in the Learning Circle know exactly what type of information you want them to send for your questions (essays, surveys, data collection, questionnaires). • You can also provide an example that can help participants to answer your question.

During this phase: You will have to research all the questions posted by the Learning Circle participants Organize your research work Divide the class intro group and share/distribute the questions Set you calendar and make sure you manage that all groups can complete their research on time Organize the writing activities (planning, drafting, reviewing, editing, polishing and sharing of information) in the Classroom Organize the answers as they get completed Post contributions from your class to the learning circle Answering Phase 23

Should be posted on time Clear definition without possible misinterpretation, taking into consideration cultural differences The answer always starts with repeating the question Answers should reflect that research has been done and should consist of clear references, mention (re)sources used showing research that has been done Post photos, diagrams, tables, presentations or others which can illustrate you research The minimum number of words should be for a Research based LC - 150 words in one answer Criteria for Quality Answers

During this phase: Read all the answers you have received to your own question Analyze the answers Summarize them Reflect on what you have learnt in the process Prepare the final summary Post/send the summary Summary Phase

Should be posted on time Clear definition without possible misinterpretation, taking into consideration cultural differences. The summary should not be Copy/Paste of answers from other groups. It should be summary of what you have learnt during the process Summary should consist of the following points: What did you think / know before LC about the topic; What you wanted to learn about the topic; What you learnt from your research and the LC answers. Minimum number of words in the summary should be for a Research Based LC is 300. At least one photo to illustrate your summary should be added. Criteria for Quality Summary

During this phase Enjoy reading the summaries of others Send comments and conclusions Post / send a goodbyemessage to your Learning Circle partners Complete the survey Official closing of the Learning Circle by the goodbye message of facilitator Closing Phase

Reference Material • Teacher guide • Tutorials for your circle are available on-line • Wiki • D-groups

Practice • Wiki • D-groups

Thank You Enjoy your Learning Circle Experience For more information: www.globalteenager.org info@globalteenager.org

Global Teenager Project "Today's learners are Tomorrow's leaders"