
2/22

MemorandumTo:

Kris ')rgan* +rin,ipal* Smit(sb)rg!lementary S,(ool

From:

Kendal Moss* Kindergarten #ea,(er*Smit(sb)rg !lementary S,(ool

Date:

Re: Global Network Analysis

Introduction

As ed),ators in t(e 21st ,ent)ry* it o)r responsibility to e-pose* a,,limate* and

s),,essf)lly prepare o)r st)dents to a ,)lt)rally diverse* global e,onomy& .t is o)r d)ty to

strategi,ally develop and implement a)t(enti, lessons t(ro)g( a global lens t(at effe,tively

s)pports and engages st)dent learning& #(eir f)t)re s),,ess in a global e,onomy depends on t(eir

ed),ation providing all st)dents opport)nities to develop global awareness and ,iti/ens(ip&

Crawford and Kirby analy/e t(e val)e of tea,(ing from a global perspe,tive* st)dents

s),,ess in a global so,iety is dependent )pon t(eir abilities to ,ollaborate wit( ot(ers* be open to

differen,es* and t(ink ,riti,ally* tea,(ing from a global perspe,tive is ,riti,al3 4Crawford 5

Kirby* 2006* p& 67&

Smit(sb)rg !lementary S,(ool (as been t(e leader and pioneer in t(e advo,a,y for

instr),tional te,(nology in efforts to transform st)dent learning in t(e 8as(ington Co)nty +)bli,

S,(ool distri,t& #(e vision and mission of t(e fa,)lty and staff at Smit(sb)rg !lementary ,losely

resembles and aligns wit( t(e ,o)ntys mission statement9 8as(ington Co)nty +)bli, S,(ools*

in partners(ip wit( ,omm)nity members* ed),ates and enables all st)dents to f)lly a,,ess

opport)nities afforded t(em in a rapidly* ,(anging* diverse global so,iety3 48C+S* 200:7& As o)r

administrator* yo) (ave led t(e way in advo,ating and s)pporting innovative pra,ti,es and

implementation strategies t(at (as p)t o)r s,(ool in prestigio)s prospe,ts of a,;)iring a 1


3/22

.t is t(e ,)rri,)lar standards and ob=e,tives set fort( by t(e Common Core State

Standards 4CCSS7* Ne-t Generation S,ien,e Standards 4NGSS7* Maryland State C)rri,)l)m* and

t(e .nternational So,iety for #e,(nology in !d),ation 4.S#!7 t(at drive instr),tion& . will )se

t(ese standards initiatives in allian,e wit( Kindergarten ,)rri,)lar standards and ob=e,tives in

Mat(* S,ien,e* So,ial St)dies* and !nglis( >ang)age Arts to eval)ate t(ree global networks&

After ,aref)l review of t(e following analyses of ea,( network* . en,o)rage yo) to sele,t t(e

global network t(at will most positively benefit o)r st)dents in t(e Smit(sb)rg ,omm)nity&

Network Analysis

'elow is an analysis of t(ree pop)lar international ed),ation networks9 Kidlink* i!A?N*

and e+als& .n addition yo) will be able to review ea,( network and its appli,ability to S,ien,e

and@or 8riting standards and digital ,iti/ens(ip skills&

Kidlink

Kidlink omepage 4Kidlink* 2017

Kidlink is a global ed),ation network t(at advo,ates international dialog)e t(ro)g( t(e

)se of a vario)s media forms* s),( as9 ele,troni, tele,omm)ni,ations& #(e Kidlink asso,iation

(as developed a network t(at s)pports and en,o)rages global learning engaging and

3

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4/22

,onne,ting st)dents in pro=e,ts t(at are ed),ationally benefi,ial* w(i,( promote responsible and

,aring ,iti/ens in t(e world3 4Kid>ink* 2017& .nternational vol)nteers develop and ,reate

pro=e,ts t(at are offered to s,(ools and organi/ations aro)nd t(e world at no ,(arge&

Kidlink +ro=e,t Center 4Kidlink* 2017

Binding t(e available pro=e,ts is relatively easy by ,li,king on #ea,(er .nformation tabfrom (omepage* w(i,( will dire,t yo) to t(e +ro=e,t Center database& #(e +ro=e,t Center page

feat)res )p,oming pro=e,ts t(at (ave started* or will start wit(in t(e ne-t ,o)ple of mont(s&

Additional links are also provided w(i,( displays pro=e,ts t(at o,,)r all year ro)nd& #(e pro=e,ts

t(at are ,)rrently displayed provide t(e U?> for t(e pro=e,t* t(e title9 in,l)ding a des,ription of

pro=e,t and ,)rri,)lar ,ontent* and w(en t(e pro=e,t starts& .t is free to parti,ipate in a Kidlink

pro=e,t* t(e only re;)irement is to ,omplete a registration form in order to a,tively parti,ipate in

t(e pro=e,t& #(ere are options to be,ome a f)ll member w(i,( ,osts &00 for t(e first year*

w(i,( is (ig(ly ,ost effe,tive in ,omparison to ot(er more e-pensive* global networks& 'y

be,oming a member yo) are offered additional perks s),( as attending member meetings* and

re,eive additional information in regards to t(e asso,iation& Sponsors(ips are also available forindivid)als w(o wo)ld like to donate to s)pport t(e asso,iations network&

owever* t(ere are a few feat)res t(at are not provided on t(is network9 a sear,( engine

to sear,( for parti,)lar pro=e,ts based on intended a)dien,e or grade level* or s)b=e,t matter is

not a,,essible on t(is network& ")e to t(e pro=e,ts being ,reated by vol)nteers* t(ere is a limit to

t(e pro=e,ts t(at are available for parti,ipation& #(e pro=e,ts t(at are ,reated and displayed on

4

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Kidlink are developed by international vol)nteers* as opposed to ot(er global networks w(ere

tea,(ers and ed),ators are able to post pro=e,t ideas& As a res)lt* tea,(ers and ed),ators w(o

follow spe,ifi, ,)rri,)lar initiatives s),( as #(e Common Core State Standards* (ave to be

(ig(ly refle,tive in ,(oosing a pro=e,t t(at dire,tly s)pports t(e ,)rri,)lar ,ontent t(at is being

ta)g(t at t(e given time& #(erefore* t(ere is a s)bstantial in,reased risk t(at ,lasses may not be

able to parti,ipate in t(e pro=e,ts offered on Kidlink* d)e to t(e s,ope and se;)en,e of t(eir

,)rri,)l)m&

KidlinkD "es,ribe and "raw +ro=e,t 4Kidlink* 2017

En,e a pro=e,t (as been ,(osen* additional feat)res are provided s),( as lang)age

translation* time s,(ed)ling and allotments* and additional information regarding t(e pro=e,t&

!d),ators need to be mindf)l of t(e timeline and availability for registration& Kidlink ,ontin)es

to display pro=e,ts t(at are ,)rrently ,losed for registration* as a res)lt* tea,(ers (ave to be

,ons,ientio)s of t(e timeline and registration ,onstraints& Additional links are also provided for

ed),ators and tea,(ers to learn more abo)t a parti,)lar pro=e,t9 w(ere tea,(ers are able to a,,ess

additional tea,( reso)r,es s),( as (ando)ts* st)dent e-amples* and t)torials* registration for t(e

pro=e,t* and even provides links to so,ial media platforms s),( as Ba,ebook* to give

opport)nities for tea,(ers and ed),ators to ,onta,t t(e managers w(o are overseeing t(e pro=e,t*

and tea,(ers w(o are ,ollaborating in t(e pro=e,t&

5


6/22

KidlinkD >earn more abo)t "es,ribe and "raw +ro=e,t 4Kidlink* 2017

+ro=e,ts fo)nd on Kidlink provide tea,(ers and ed),ators links to additional information

regarding t(e pro=e,t t(ey (ave ,(osen& "es,ribe and "raw is a sample pro=e,t t(at targets any

age gro)p& #(erefore* t(e entire elementary s,(ool ,o)ld take part in t(is pro=e,t& "es,ribe and

"raw is a m)lti,)lt)ral art pro=e,t t(at by )sing observation* des,ription* and drawing*

en(an,es writing and des,riptive skills3 4Kidlink* 2017& St)dents p)blis( t(eir written

des,riptions w(i,( are t(en read by t(eir ,ollaborating partner& #(e ,ollaborating st)dent t(endraws a pi,t)re based on t(e des,riptions t(at were given& #(is pro=e,t aims to ,onne,t st)dents

aro)nd t(e world* promoting global awareness and e-pose st)dents to ,)lt)ral diversity t(ro)g(

written ,omm)ni,ation&

.n Kindergarten* st)dents are learning abo)t t(e world aro)nd t(em& St)dents be,ome

e-posed to ,)lt)ral diversity9 traditions and ,)stoms of individ)als in t(eir s,(ool* ,omm)nity*

and t(e world aro)nd t(em& #(is pro=e,t will propel st)dent )nderstanding of ,)stoms and

,)lt)re by e-tending* and broadening t(eir e-pos)re of ,)lt)re t(ro)g( a global lens& St)dents

will be e-posed to global awareness and engage in )nderstanding ,)lt)ral diversity at a deeper*

more a)t(enti, level& St)dents will be able to learn abo)t t(eir peers ,)lt)re and traditions aro)nd

t(e world t(ro)g( des,riptive written ,omm)ni,ation& 'elow are standards t(at asso,iate* and

dire,tly s)pport t(is pro=e,t&

Maryland State C)rri,)l)m< So,ial St)dies Standards 4Maryland State "epartment of !d),ation*

200$7<

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http://www.kidlink.org/drupal/node/385http://www.kidlink.org/drupal/node/385http://www.kidlink.org/drupal/node/385http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.htmlhttp://www.kidlink.org/drupal/node/385http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.html


7/22

• 2&A&1&b< Give e-amples of ;)alities s),( as ,)stoms* interests* skills* and e-perien,es t(at

make individ)als and families in t(eir immediate environment )ni;)e&

!nglis( and >ang)age Arts Common Core State Standards .nitiative 4National GovernorsAsso,iation Center for 'est +ra,ti,es 5 Co)n,il of C(ief State S,(ool Effi,ers* 20107<

• 8&K&2< Use a ,ombination of drawing* di,tating* and writing to ,ompose

informative@e-planatory te-ts&

• 8&K&$< 8it( g)idan,e and s)pport from ad)lts* e-plore a variety of digital tools to

prod),e and p)blis( writing* in,l)ding in ,ollaboration wit( peers&

• S>&K&%< "es,ribe familiar people* pla,es* t(ings* and events and* wit( prompting and

s)pport* provide additional detail&

.nternational So,iety for #e,(nology in !d),ation Standards 4.nternational So,iety for

#e,(nology in !d),ation* 200F7<

• 2& Comm)ni,ation and Collaboration< St)dents )se digital media and environments to

,omm)ni,ate and work ,ollaboratively* in,l)ding at a distan,e* to s)pport individ)al

learning and ,ontrib)te to t(e learning of ot(ers&

o ,& "evelop ,)lt)ral )nderstanding and global awareness by engaging wit( learners

of ot(er ,)lt)res

i!A?N

7

http://www.corestandards.org/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/K/2/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/K/6/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/K/4/http://www.iste.org/http://www.corestandards.org/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/K/2/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/K/6/http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/SL/K/4/http://www.iste.org/


8/22

i!arn omepage 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network* 2017

#(e .nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network 4i!A?N7 is a nonDprofit

organi/ation made )p of over 0*000 s,(ools and yo)t( organi/ations in more t(an 1%0

,o)ntries3 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network* 2017& i!A?N prides itself on

empowering global ,omm)ni,ation and ,ollaboration t(ro)g( online ,omm)ni,ation

te,(nologies& i!A?N promotes a safe and str),t)red network w(ere st)dents aro)nd t(e world

are able to ,omm)ni,ate and work toget(er to b)ild )pon* and e-tend knowledge t(ro)g(

,)rri,)l)mDbased* global ,ollaborative pro=e,ts& #(e i!arn Collaboration Centre empowers

st)dents to learn wit( t(e world* not =)st abo)t it3 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e

Network* 2017&

8

https://collaborate.iearn.org/https://collaborate.iearn.org/


9/22

i!A?N Sear,( 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network* 2017

#(e i!A?N network provides over 200 pro=e,ts offering ,ollaborative opport)nities for

all ages* in a m)ltit)de of lang)ages* and in a vast variety of ,)rri,)lar s)b=e,t areas& i!A?N

provides a sear,( engine t(at allows tea,(ers t(e opport)nity to easily sear,( for pro=e,ts to =oin&

#(ro)g( t(e i!A?N sear,( engine* tea,(ers and ed),ators are able to sear,( available pro=e,ts

by typing keywords* age range* preferred lang)age* and s)b=e,t area& owever* it s(o)ld be

noted t(at d)e to pro=e,ts being ,reated and developed by tea,(ers* it is )p to t(e ed),ators

dis,retion as to (ow m),( tea,(er reso)r,es and information are provided for ea,( pro=e,t& #(is

,a)ses a range in t(e ;)ality of pro=e,ts9 t(ere are pro=e,ts available t(at provide a s)ffi,ient

amo)nt of tea,(er reso)r,es s),( as (ando)ts* related websites or arti,les* st)dent e-amples*

videos* and lessons@a,tivities wit( ,orresponding a,,ommodations and adaptations* w(ile ot(er pro=e,ts provide t(e bare minim)m of reso)r,es needed in order to parti,ipate in t(e pro=e,t&

#(e ,ost of a one year members(ip for )nlimited a,,ess to t(e i!A?N Collaboration

Centre for an individ)al tea,(er is 100& #o a,;)ire a one year members(ip to t(e i!A?N global

network for t(e entire s,(ool9 )nlimited amo)nt of tea,(ers is %00&00& .n ,omparison to t(e

Kidlink network* t(ere is an in,rease in e-pendit)res& owever* on,e an i!A?N member*

tea,(ers and ed),ators will (ave )nlimited a,,ess to tea,(er reso)r,es s),( as (ando)ts*

t)torials* st)dent e-amples* and a,,essibility to all pro=e,t options& #(is global network also provides members opport)nities for online professional development ,o)rses* and a,,ess to

()ndreds of global ,ollaboration pro=e,ts& i!A?N members are able to ,reate and display t(eir

own pro=e,t ideas* =oin in ot(er pro=e,ts* or even (ave t(e opport)nity to ,ollaborate wit( ot(er

ed),ators from aro)nd t(e world to modify and develop a pro=e,t toget(er&

9


10/22

i!A?ND 8eat(er Aro)nd t(e 8orld 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network* 2017

After )sing t(e sear,( engine to resear,( vario)s pro=e,ts in t(e g)idelines t(at an

ed),ator is looking for* a res)lts list will display t(e available pro=e,ts t(at align wit( yo)rre;)irements& 8eat(er Aro)nd t(e 8orld is a pro=e,t t(at was available for primary st)dents ages

D11* !nglis( lang)age preferen,e* and in t(e ,)rri,)lar area of s,ien,e& En,e a pro=e,t (as been

,(osen* i!A?N displays a brief des,ription of t(e pro=e,t* a gallery t(at provides )ploaded video

and pi,t)re images of finis(ed st)dent work& #(e gro)p fa,ilitator is also mentioned for ,onta,t

regarding t(e parti,)lar pro=e,t& #(e (omepage of t(e pro=e,t is organi/ed* w(i,( allows for easy

navigation t(ro)g( t(e provided links to additional reso)r,es@information regarding t(e pro=e,t*

related news* t(e gallery* and parti,ipating ,o)ntries&

8it(in t(e additional reso)r,es link* a more detailed des,ription of t(e ,(osen pro=e,t is

provided& .n t(is parti,)lar pro=e,t* ed),ators will find possible ,lass a,tivities t(at align wit( t(e

pro=e,ts goals and vision& !-pe,ted o)t,omes* gro)p ,ontrib)tion* and targeted ,)rri,)l)m areas*

are all provided wit(in t(e additional reso)r,es tab& #(is information is imperative to an ed),ator

in order to effe,tively and s),,essf)lly implement t(e ,ollaborative pro=e,t w(i,( dire,tly

s)pports t(e ,)rri,)lar standards and ob=e,tives&

10


11/22

i!A?ND 8eat(er Aro)nd t(e 8orld +ro=e,t 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network*

2017

#(e i!A?N 8eat(er Aro)nd t(e 8orld +ro=e,t is a ,ollaborative pro=e,t t(at en,o)rages

primary st)dents 4ages D117* from aro)nd t(e world to ,reate a pi,torial weat(er ,(art

s(owing t(e weat(er ea,( day of t(e mont(3 4.nternational !d),ation and ?eso)r,e Network*

2017& #(e pro=e,t will be a,tive for t(e d)ration of t(e 201%D201 s,(ool year& At t(e end of

ea,( mont(* t(e weat(er ,(ar will t(en be )ploaded and s(ared in t(e provided pro=e,t spa,e&

#(is will provide opport)nities for st)dents to ,omm)ni,ate similarities and differen,es in

weat(er patterns aro)nd t(e world& #(is pro=e,t promotes t(e development of ,omm)ni,ationskills to better )nderstand and develop a sense of global awareness and weat(er aro)nd t(e

world&

11

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12/22

.n Kindergarten* identifying weat(er* and weat(er patterns are ta)g(t in bot( s,ien,e* and

mat(& #(is lesson wo)ld dire,tly s)pport o)r kindergarteners d)ring t(e weat(er )nit&

Kindergarteners are ta)g(t t(e roles and responsibilities of a meteorologists& St)dents learn abo)t

basi, tools meteorologists )se in order to predi,t t(e weat(er* and t(e responsibilities

meteorologists (ave in ,omm)ni,ating t(eir weat(er predi,tions to t(e ,omm)nity& St)dents also

learn to identify* and s(are observations of lo,al weat(er ,onditions to des,ribe patterns over

time& 'elow yo) will find standards and lessons t(at asso,iate and s)pport t(is pro=e,t&

8as(ington Co)nty +)bli, S,(ools Ebserving 8eat(er >esson Seed 48C+S* 200:7

Ne-t Generation S,ien,e Standards 4A,(ieve* .n,&* 20117

12

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13/22

• K&!SS2&1< Use and s(are observations of lo,al weat(er ,onditions to des,ribe patterns

over time&

Mat(emati,s Common Core State Standards .nitiative 4National Governors Asso,iation Center

for 'est +ra,ti,es 5 Co)n,il of C(ief State S,(ool Effi,ers* 20107<

• K&M"&2< "ire,tly ,ompare two ob=e,ts wit( a meas)rable attrib)te in ,ommon* to see

w(i,( ob=e,t (as more of3@3less of3 t(e attrib)te* and des,ribe t(e differen,e&

• K&M"&< Classify ob=e,ts into given ,ategories9 ,o)nt t(e n)mbers of ob=e,ts in ea,(

,ategory and sort t(e ,ategories by ,o)nt&

.nternational So,iety for #e,(nology in !d),ation Standards 4.nternational So,iety for

#e,(nology in !d),ation* 200F7<

• 2& Comm)ni,ation and Collaboration< St)dents )se digital media and environments to

,omm)ni,ate and work ,ollaboratively* in,l)ding at a distan,e* to s)pport individ)al

learning and ,ontrib)te to t(e learning of ot(ers&

o b& Comm)ni,ate information and ideas effe,tively to m)ltiple a)dien,es )sing a

variety of media and formats

e+als

13

http://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/ngss/files/k%20combined%20DCI%20standards%206.13.13_0.pdfhttp://www.corestandards.org/http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/K/MD/A/2/http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/K/MD/B/3/http://www.iste.org/http://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/ngss/files/k%20combined%20DCI%20standards%206.13.13_0.pdfhttp://www.corestandards.org/http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/K/MD/A/2/http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/K/MD/B/3/http://www.iste.org/


14/22

e+als omepage 4e+als* 2017

e+als is a global network t(at en,o)rages st)dent ,omm)ni,ation and ,ollaboration

t(ro)g( transformational learning e-perien,es& e+als is a global network t(at allows tea,(ers

to ,reate real world* ,)lt)rallyD enri,(ing learning e-perien,es for t(eir st)dents3 4e+als* 2017&e+als promotes st)dent engagement and motivation to b)ild )pon and e-tend learning t(ro)g(

e-perien,es t(at are a)t(enti,* p)rposef)l* and bo)ndless at no ,ost& e+als prides itself on

,reating a positive learning environment for tea,(ers and st)dents to be able to easily ,onne,t

and intera,t wit( individ)als all over t(e world t(ro)g( a safe and prote,ted platform&

14

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e+als Sear,( 4e+als* 2017

Hoining in t(e e+als ,omm)nity is easy and free& .n order to be,ome a member* tea,(ers

and ed),ators m)st s)bmit a registration form for approval in order to ,reate and p)blis( a

member profile& An e+al profile provides ed),ators t(e opport)nity to sear,( for vario)s

,lassrooms* pro=e,ts* and ,ollaborative opport)nities& En,e t(e tea,(er profile is approved* e+als

also offers st)dent a,,o)nts for ea,( individ)al ,(ild in yo)r ,lassroom& !d),ators are also

provided an email a,,o)nt to t(at e-,(anges and ,omm)ni,ation ,an all be ,ompleted t(ro)g(

t(e e+als network& Additional platforms s),( as a pro=e,t workspa,e or ,omm)ni,ation toolss),( as skype ,an also be )sed at t(e ed),ators dis,retion& As a tea,(er in t(e e+als ,omm)nity*

e+als offers tea,(ers t(e rig(ts to manage and monitor yo)r st)dents intera,tivities at no

additional ,ost& Additionally as a member* tea,(ers and ed),ators are able to find ,lassrooms*

and pro=e,ts t(at are available for global ,ollaboration& e+als also provides a learning ,enter to

t(e members of t(e e+al global network& #ea,(ers* ed),ators* and even parents are able to

e-plore t(e learning ,enter for additional reso)r,es s),( as9 ed),ational games* and t(e writing

,enter&

#(e e+als global network provides tea,(ers t(e opport)nity to ,reate t(eir own pro=e,t to

p)blis( to t(e p)bli,* or tea,(ers ,an sear,( t(ro)g( ()ndreds of a,tive and available pro=e,ts

t(ro)g( t(e pro=e,t database& e+als displays all pro=e,ts* in,l)ding an option for yo)r pro=e,t to

be a part of t(e feat)red pro=e,ts list& e+als )ses t(e feat)red pro=e,t list as a way to promote

pro=e,ts t(at (ave been developed in order to e-pose and give f)rt(er ,ollaboration opport)nities

for ,lassrooms to parti,ipate in t(e pro=e,t& #(e e+als global network also provides tea,(ers and

ed),ators an intri,ate sear,( engine t(at allows individ)als to narrow down t(eir sear,(& Similar

to i!A?Ns sear,( engine* e+als provides options for ed),ators to sear,( for pro=e,ts t(ro)g(

15

http://www.epals.com/find-project.php#age_range=0&collaboration=0&commoncore=&country=&duration=0&language=0&p=1&project_type=0&region=&search_text=http://www.epals.com/find-project.php#age_range=0&collaboration=0&commoncore=&country=&duration=0&language=0&p=1&project_type=0&region=&search_text=


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keywords* lang)age preferen,e* and target age& Additionally* t(e e+als sear,( engine also

provides individ)als t(e opport)nity to ,(oose pro=e,ts based on9 region* pro=e,t type 4art*

s,ien,e* mat(* et,&7* time d)ration* and ,ollaboration met(ods 4email* skype* pro=e,t workspa,e7&

#(e amo)nt of available pro=e,ts is s)bstantial* t(erefore* e+als (as fo)nd an effe,tive way for

tea,(ers to narrow t(eir sear,( t(ro)g( t(e )se of a sear,( engine t(at provides more t(an

eno)g( options to refine ones sear,(&

Similarly to i!A?N* all pro=e,ts are developed and p)blis(ed by tea,(ers and ed),ators*

as a res)lt* pro=e,ts may range in overall ;)ality9 t(ere are pro=e,ts available t(at provide a

s)ffi,ient amo)nt of tea,(er reso)r,es s),( as ob=e,tives* standards* ,)lminating a,tivity* lesson

plans wit( ,orresponding a,,ommodations and adaptations* and additional related reso)r,es

4materials or (ando)ts7* w(ile ot(er pro=e,ts provide t(e bare minim)m of reso)r,es needed in

order to parti,ipate in t(e pro=e,t& "epending on t(e pro=e,ts t(at (ave been s)bmitted by ot(er

ed),ators and tea,(ers* t(e amo)nt of pro=e,ts t(at are available in t(e ,ontent area* or age rangewill vary& As a res)lt* e+als en,o)rages tea,(ers to ,reate t(eir own pro=e,ts to p)blis(* and@or

(ave ed),ators work ,ollaboratively to modify* ,(ange* or ,reate a pro=e,t to fit t(e needs of ea,(

,lassroom&

e+alsD E)tside My Classroom 8indows 4e+als* 2017

#(e e+als pro=e,t database provides a list of pro=e,ts t(at are available for parti,ipation&

!a,( pro=e,t displayed in t(e database (as information regarding a brief des,ription abo)t t(e

pro=e,t* pro=e,t type 4,)rri,)lar area7* and target age range& En,e a pro=e,t (as been ,(osen*

f)rt(er details are provided& #(is parti,)lar pro=e,t9 E)tside My Classroom 8indows is an open

ended pro=e,t t(at allows tea,(ers to make modifi,ations and adaptations in order for t(e pro=e,t

to appropriately s)pport ,)rri,)lar goals and ob=e,tives& e+als organi/es information effe,tively

t(ro)g( t(e )se of tabs& En,e a pro=e,t (as been ,(osen* tea,(ers and ed),ators are able to

e-plore more information regarding t(e pro=e,t9 ob=e,tives and standards t(at (ave been

establis(ed by t(e ,reator* ,)lminating a,tivities* lesson plans* additional reso)r,es* and timeline&

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e+alsD E)tside My Classroom 8indows +ro=e,t 4e+als* 2017

E)tside My Classroom 8indows is a global ,ollaborative pro=e,t en,o)raging early

,(ild(ood st)dents to ,omm)ni,ate and dis,)ss t(ro)g( vis)al art and digital images abo)t

w(ere t(ey live& #(is pro=e,t promotes global awareness and ,iti/ens(ip by asking st)dents to

swap t(ese wit( ot(er s,(ools so t(at we ,an see t(e similarities and differen,es at s,(ools

aro)nd t(e world3 4e+als* 2017& #(is pro=e,t provides opport)nities for tea,(ers and ed),ators

to adapat and modify t(is pro=e,t to appropriately s)pport ,)rri,)lar goals and ob=e,tives in ea,(

,lassroom& St)dents are being en,o)rage to broaden t(eir perspe,tives and be,ome e-posed to*

and be inspired and motivated to learn abo)t t(e world aro)nd t(em&

.n Kindergarten* it is imperative for st)dents to gain an )nderstanding of globalawareness and ,iti/ens(ip at an early age& #(ro)g(o)t t(e s,(ool year* Kindergarteners are

ta)g(t t(e appropriate so,ial skills ne,essary for working in a ,ollaborative gro)p and t(e

importan,e of being kind and respe,tf)l to ot(ers& Global pro=e,ts s),( as9 t(e E)tside My

Classroom 8indows pro=e,t* provides st)dents opport)nities to develop and strengt(en t(ese

skills in a real world* a)t(enti, learning environment& St)dents are e-pe,ted to )se t(e

appropriate so,ial skills ne,essary to effe,tively ,omm)ni,ate and ,ollaborate wit( t(eir peers&

#(is pro=e,t will not only provide t(e yo)ng st)dents an opport)nity to develop* strengt(en* and

apply appropriate so,ial skills* b)t will also be gaining e-perien,e and e-pos)re in global

awareness& 'elow are a list of standards t(at asso,iate and s)pport t(is pro=e,t&

Maryland State C)rri,)l)m< So,ial St)dies Standards 4Maryland State "epartment of !d),ation*

200$7<

• 2&C&1&a< "es,ribe* dis,)ss* and demonstrate appropriate so,ial skills ne,essary for

working in a ,ollaborative gro)p* s),( as s(aring ,on,ern* ,are* and respe,t among gro)p

members&

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http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.htmlhttp://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.htmlhttp://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.htmlhttp://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/social_studies/standard2/gradeK.html


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• &A&1&d< .dentify pi,t)res and p(otograp(s t(at represent pla,es on a map s),( as a

playgro)nd or a fire station&

.nternational So,iety for #e,(nology in !d),ation Standards 4.nternational So,iety for#e,(nology in !d),ation* 200F7<

• & St)dents )nderstand ()man* ,)lt)ral* and so,ietal iss)es related to te,(nology and

pra,ti,e legal and et(i,al be(avior&

o b& !-(ibit a positive attit)de toward )sing te,(nology t(at s)pports ,ollaboration*

learning* and prod),tivity

o d& !-(ibit leaders(ip for digital ,iti/ens(ip

Recommendations/Conclusion

After t(ro)g( resear,( and investigation* (ere is my ranking and re,ommendations on

ea,( global network )sing a star s,ale9 being t(e best s)ited for t(e Smit(sb)rg ,omm)nity&

Kidlink <

Kidlink (ad several strengt(s and areas in need of improvement& Kidlink is a ,ost

effe,tive network t(at provides ed),ators and t(eir st)dents t(e opport)nities to parti,ipate in

global ,ollaborative pro=e,ts& owever* at t(is time* Kidlink does not provide opport)nities for

tea,(ers or ed),ators to ,reate and display t(eir own pro=e,t ideas& As a res)lt* t(is limits t(e

amo)nt of pro=e,ts t(at are available for parti,ipation& Additionally* d)e to t(e Kidlink

international vol)nteers ,reating and developing t(e pro=e,ts* ed),ators are limited in variety9

age range* and ,ontent area* and related tea,(er reso)r,es 4materials* (ando)ts*

lessons@a,tivities7& . wo)ld re,ommend t(e Kidlink network to tea,(ers w(o are looking to only

introd),e t(emselves to a global ,omm)ni,ation for)m& ")e to t(e te,(nologi,al e-perien,e*

a,,essibility* and pop)lation si/e of t(e Smit(sb)rg ,omm)nity* o)r tea,(ers and st)dents wo)ld

greatly benefit from a global network t(at is a bit more establis(ed* and provides additional

feat)res s),( as9 a wider range in pro=e,t ,(oi,es* t(e opport)nity to ,reate and start t(eir own

pro=e,ts* and tea,(er reso)r,es&

i!A?N<

i!A?N is an effe,tive global network platform t(at en,o)rages global awareness and

,iti/ens(ip t(ro)g( engaging* a)t(enti, learning environments& #(e i!A?N global network is

organi/ed and well maintained allowing )sers aro)nd t(e world to easily navigate in order to find

tea,(er reso)r,es and available ,ollaborative pro=e,ts of interest& A parti,)lar feat)re t(at

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disting)is(es t(is parti,)lar global network is t(e online professional development ,o)rses t(at

are available for members& #(is feat)re provides ed),ators t(e opport)nity to learn more abo)t

effe,tive implementation strategies and gain additional opport)nities for professional growt(&

#(e i!A?N sear,( engine is an effe,tive and organi/ed way for ed),ators to refine t(eir sear,(

to effi,iently find pro=e,ts t(at s)pport spe,ifi, ,)rri,)lar standards and ob=e,tives& owever*

i!A?N is a bit ,ostly in regards to t(e ot(er global networks t(at were resear,(ed& i!A?N does

provide a great deal of reso)r,es and ed),ational opport)nities* (owever t(e e-pendit)re to =oin

t(is ,omm)nity for a one year s)bs,ription is a notewort(y appre(ension to ,onsider&

e+als<

e+als (as en,o)raged* inspired* and advo,ated for global ,ollaboration and

,omm)ni,ation& e+als provides tea,(ers* ed),ators* and parents t(e opport)nity to =oin in t(e

e+als ,omm)nity at no ,ost& e+als provides feat)res t(at allow bot( tea,(ers and st)dents t(eopport)nity to effe,tively intera,t wit( peers aro)nd t(e globe& #ea,(ers are provided e+al email

a,,o)nts to en,o)rage instant a,,essibility to ,omm)ni,ate and ,ollaborate wit( tea,(ers at a

global level& #(e e+als ,omm)nity en,o)rages not only tea,(er ,ollaborations* b)t also provides

st)dents t(eir own a,,o)nts to s)pport st)dent intera,tivities& e+als prides itself in t(e safe and

se,)re platform t(at is provided to o)r st)dents* and provides tea,(ers wit( t(e feat)res of being

able to manage and monitor st)dent intera,tions& #(e e+als sear,( engine also provides

additional options t(at more effe,tively refine an ed),ators sear,( to more ,losely fit t(e needs

of t(e tea,(ers vision and interests& At t(is time* even t(o)g( e+als does not offer professional

development trainings to members* e+als provides ot(er feat)res t(at dire,tly s)pport st)dent

learning* s),( as9 an e+al writing ,enter* ed),ational games* and a book ,l)b(o)se& #(e e+als

global networks provides tea,(ers not only t(e opport)nity to =oin available pro=e,ts* b)t t(e

opport)nity to develop and p)blis( t(eir own pro=e,ts* and even foster opport)nities for

,ollaboration wit( m)ltiple tea,(ers to modify* adapt* ,(ange new and@or e-isting global

pro=e,ts&

.n ,on,l)sion* it is apparent t(at all t(ree global networks (ave notewort(y strengt(s* and

areas in need of improvement& owever* it is my re,ommendation t(at e+als is t(e best s)ited

global network for t(e Smit(sb)rg ,omm)nity& e+als is a free global network t(at provides

tea,(ers* ed),ators* and parents* t(e effe,tive tools and reso)r,es needed to foster and s)pport

transformational st)dent learning& .t is t(e responsibility of o)r ed),ators t(at we promote and

e-pose st)dents to global awareness and ,iti/ens(ip in order for st)dents to be s),,essf)l in a

te,(nologi,ally advan,ed so,iety& #(e e+als pro=e,t database provides ed),ators wit( s)bstantial

opport)nities for st)dents to b)ild )pon* e-tend* and apply learning in transformational ways t(at

promote global ,ollaboration* te,(nologi,al skills@appli,ations* (ig(er ordered* and ,riti,al

t(inking skills in a real world* a)t(enti, learning environment& e+als goes above and beyond

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e-pe,tations to advo,ate global awareness* ,iti/ens(ip* and ,ollaboration t(at effe,tively s)pport

o)r s,(ool and ,o)ntys mission to s)pport and prepare all st)dents in be,oming ,ollege and

,areer ready in t(e 21st ,ent)ry&

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References

Crawford* !&* 5 Kirby* M& 420067& Bostering st)dents global awareness< #e,(nologyappli,ations in so,ials st)dies tea,(ing and learning& Journal of Curriculum and

Instruction, 2417* $DF& doi< 10&FF$@=o,i&2006&v2n1p$DF

e+als& 42017& e+als& ?etrieved Mar,( F* 201 from< e+als< (ttp


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8as(ington Co)nty +)bli, S,(ools& 4200:7& ?etrieved Mar,( * 201 from<

(ttp

Global Network Analysis

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