Pre-conference Keynote Discussion

[Kim Cofino]

Going Global: Culture Shock, Convergence and the Future of Education



Presentation wiki with resources: http://going-global.wikispaces.com/

Questions for discussion:

1. What global experiences have you had in real life or online that influenced your thinking about education?

2. Are you, or do you know any, Third Culture Kids? Do you think they share any common characteristics that make them different from people who grew up in a single culture?

3. How are you connecting yourself, and your students, globally? What changes have occurred (for example: in mindset, attitude or outlook) as a result of those connections?

[Rob Miller]

Thank you Kim. What an interesting world you live in. I really can't say much to question 1 and 2. After 35 years in education in the US midwest, myself or my students have had few cultural experiences except for a few foreign exchange students.
I am interested in connecting our kids globally. Over the past 4 years, we've done a lot of video conferencing. Several years our district, Magnolia ISD (in Texas), subscribed to Global Nomads. Our high school students were involved in discussions on aides with students from many different countries and some were in very remote areas. They did grow from these experiences. Mostly, they learned that we are really all the same.

At the end of your presentation you discussed personal learning networks. This year, as a technology director, one of my goals is to help our principals learn about personal learning networks. If they learn to "get it" then I hope they will promote this type of learning with their teachers and students. I'd appreciate any ideas on this topic from you or anyone else.

Thanks again,
Rob Miller

[Karen Burns]

I really enjoyed the keynote and the ideas you brought forth. I.ve been working on my own Global PLN and have started to work with the 9th grade social studies teachers on global connections for students. I have set up a Twitter account for World Cultures classes that follows current issues in Africa, but it hasn't really caught on yet. We're playing catch up in all web 2.0 areas, but are determined to move forward. Thanks for the inspiration! I'm off to work here in WA state but will add more later.

[Leanne Rainbow]

Nice presentation. I really liked the analogies at the beginning. How true they all were.

3. How are you connecting yourself, and your students, globally? What changes have occurred (for example: in mindset, attitude or outlook) as a result of those connections?

I would really love to be doing a better job of this. Last Spring during a Biomes unit, I had my sixth graders emailing with students from different Biomes. We had limited success as some of the schools we had hoped to dialogue with ended up withdrawing and some schools took too long to reply to really get a good conversation going. However we ended up in great dialogues with a school from a temperate forest region and an Inuit Village from the tundra. The students still talk to me about the Inuit kids they spoke with. I think the project will have a lasting impression and I think the learning objective of how life adapts to it's environment really made sense to them.

The challenges to that project is (1) hooking up with the schools, (2) keeping the momentum going and (3) ensuring every student can be involved - there's almost 200 sixth graders who all want to participate. Even in groups, it was very difficult to make sure the student's each had an opportunity for meaningful interaction.

I think I'm going to have to visit your presentation from last year to gain some tips!

[Wesley Fryer]

This student grouping issue that you raise is an important one, Leanne. I wonder what examples we can point to where secondary teachers have successfully paired so many students together. I know the National Writing Project is working on this in some states.

[Clint Hamada]

Hi Kim. Thanks for a fantastic keynote!

I grew up exclusively in California and would not have thought that "Third Culture Kid" applies to me. However, listening to Jane and Silvia discuss their experiences made me realize that growing up and identifying as a Hapa is, in essence, the same as a TCK. Bridging two worlds (between my mother's white family and my father's Japanese family), not different and not the same, trying to define my identity in a system/culture that wasn't equipped for that definition.

It's important to realize that, even though you and your students may never leave your town, state or country, there will be some who are wrestling to define their own self-identity. The experience of TCKs, while not technically the same, can be used as a starting point to help with the articulation of that identity.

[Nancy J.]

I am struggling with getting started on global collaboration, which is somewhat ironic as my school is part of an International network. I have joined Epals and Iearn and hope to get back to following up on that. I also belong to a global collaboration ning. I am wondering if anyone has helpful hints about "getting your feet wet" with this global stuff. I am sure once the first connection is made, the rest will fall into place.
BTW- my Google reader account became the one thing that changed the way I look at both technology and education. There are so may talented and generous individuals out there who graciously share and mentor. My whole philosphy of education has changed, and i want to spread the word, beginning here at my own school. unfortunatley, sometimes teachers are not open to new ideas, especially as they view them as ' one more thing."
Keep up the good work:)

[Wesley Fryer]

Nancy: One recommendation would be to find a presenter or another participant here in k12online that you might want to collaborate with. Lots of the upcoming presentations will showcase actual projects, and you might post a question on the discussion for a project you like if there are others that would like to partner on a similar project.

We also could start a group on our Ning to encourage collaborations.

[Carrie Ward]

Kim, what a great way to start the conference off! Thanks for a great presentation.

I know that I never thought I would be living overseas when I was growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. Now I can't imagine living in the US after 13 years teaching in 5 countries! It has changed my life and I do feel so much more connected to the rest of the world. I love seeing children of other cultures interact and learn about each other as they do so. Working overseas has shown me that the students I work with already accept people's differences, are learning to be more flexible just by being in the country (esp. when the power goes out almost everyday!) and are more willing to try new experiences.

Personally, I have also started doing more with my own PLN and am going to share what I am doing with my students to encourage them to never stop learning! Thanks for helping me get started.

[David Truss]

Great job Kim,

With respect to #2, I wrote a post a while back called Two Wolves where I share a bit of my diverse background.
I mention it here because Beth Holmes wrote a comment on that post that really relates to this question. Beth said:

I have two thoughts, David, that I’d like to share with you. First, you have been blessed to have a diverse heritage and rich experiences that enlighten your thinking. Given similar experiences, all of the world’s young men might enjoy an idealism and perspective that enables them to compare, contrast and evaluate the “wolves” within them – and in the world. In reality, however, most of the world’s citizens are born into ONE culture and the views of the birth-culture are valued and perceived as the views of the “good wolf.” Thus, the root of many conflicts. The wars and atrocities recorded in history are typically fueled by propaganda that feeds the “good wolf.” This is a key reason for supporting a free, uncensored press (and blogs!). There must be a venue for exposing flawed thinking and disguised “bad wolves.”

My second point is that connected education – a system that enlightens all of the world’s cultures – is essential in fostering a citizenry that can drill beneath propaganda to expose the “good” and the “bad” wolves that reside in each of us – and in all cultures. It is my high hope that the connected schoolhouses of the 21st century will provide such a venue. IMHO, it is collective “problem solving” at the human level – a process of examining the wolves within us – and our cultures – that holds the greatest promise for individual and world peace.

My favourite line from your wonderful presentation is, "We have to find ways of more nimbly, realistically and effectively adapting to the new status quo." What excites me is that the 'status quo' is based on connecting the students in our world in more meaningful ways... We now have the means to foster and promote meaningful connections with kids who aren't just 'growing up digital' but also 'growing up global'. It is a fabulous time to be an educator.

Thanks again for this inspiring look at the convergences ahead.

[Phil Macoun]

Thanks for this presentation Kim. You had me really missing my old life as an educator in Indonesia, and definitely gave me food for thought in regards to my 4 year old daughter's education.

I have been dabbling with bringing Global Collaborative Projects into my classroom over the past 2 years and really believe that they are what we need to be doing, but I still don't feel that they have had any sort of transformative impact on my students. I'm thinking that this is because so far I have only tried asynchronous projects. I think one big difference between really being overseas vs connecting via the internet asynchronously is the shock factor. Being overseas forces you out of your comfort zone, which makes you much more receptive to new ideas and influences. In an asynchronous project students get to interact but from the comfort of their school and on their own time, there is nothing to really push them out of their comfort zone.

So I'm wondering whether the key to a global transformative project might be the synchronous stuff like Skype or Elluminate conversations where students have to be in the moment and react instantly. I will definitely have a look at your presentation from last year's k12online conference.

Thanks again.

[Dolores Gende]

Great presentation!

I have taught in Mexico, Belgium, Curacao and I am now in the USA. Having had the opportunity of a multicultural education has really shaped my view on education.
My children (26 and 28 years old now) will be examples of third culture kids. I guess the most amazing thing that they learned has to do with adaptability!

Not yet connecting my students globally, yes I know, shame on me!!! Will definitely try to connect during this school year.

Thanks for being an inspiration!

[Elisabeth LeBris]

Great keynote. The opening analogies were very good and made it easy to remember some of the 21st century skills we try to make a reality for our students and ourselves.
Last year we connected a group of our 6-8 graders internationally on Earth Day with other students. It was very successful but limited to those few students who got involved. We are looking to do more of that. As the library technology center director, I work closely with our tech. coordinator to get our teachers more excited about the value and growth educationally that exists no further than our computers and Internet connection.
We only have a handful of TCKs. They are often an excellent example to our kids on how to be adaptable.