Connecting Classrooms to Connect Collections Cultures Communities By

Connecting Classrooms to Connect Collections, Cultures & Communities By: CHHAVI JAIN Librarian G. D. Goenka World School INDIA

What is Collaboration? Some definitions from research: “Two or more equal partners who set out to create a unit of study based on content standards in one or more content areas plus information literacy standards, a unit that will be teamdesigned, team-taught and team-evaluated” Buzzeo, 2002

Global Awareness at School Level Global awareness and international collaborations during early years at school level is a best way to encourage students to see the world with new perspective.

Librarian’s Role to Change Concept of Learning In Classroom Traditional Classrooms Vs Connected Classrooms

Ways to Connect Sharing, participation, communication and interaction

British Council Schools Online www. britishcouncil. org/schoolsonline www. britishcouncil. org

British Council Schools online is one hub for a number of key schools resources. • • A Partner finding service Online Forums Project Spaces Signposting for Professional development and other resources

A Partner Finding Service • • • BCS online help to partner up with a school in a different country and share learning activities Can Search for a partner schools by key criteria such as country and type Link to a partner school, develop partnership, find or plan projects and work together Use the project spaces to share and inspire the partnership Quick 10 minute activities to advice on how to build an international dimension to your school’s activities Online Forums and Project Spaces • Talk to other teachers and share experiences • Build project spaces for you and your partner country to share and work during partnership • All resources are free

British Council schools online: Culture 2014 l ‘One Year to Go’ program before XX Commonwealth Games , Glasgow 2014. l The best stories around the Commonwealth to be told and made by schoolchildren from the UK and around the Commonwealth countries. British Council’s mission is to use education, arts and English as tools to build enduring international relationships and trust between nations.

United Classrooms Uclass • • gives opportunity to create classroom profile and teachers are sending assignments, projects and messages for students. A Partner finding service Online Forums Project Spaces Lesson Plans

Prezi helped to become project winner

PREZI. com l Prezi is a cloud-based presentation software and storytelling tool for presenting ideas virtually. l Prezi introduced application of zooming user interface (ZUI), allows users to zoom in and out of their presentation media. l Prezi creates stunning visual impact. Import pictures, maps and PDFs. l Prezi is interactive whiteboard friendly tool. l With the cinematic experience of the zooming function, students feels as they are transported into a “world” that they have designed.

Epals. com “ We connect students and teachers around the world locally, nationally and globally, for purposeful, authentic collaborative learning and cultural exchange. ” Miles Gilburne, CEO e. Pals. com platform + communication + collaboration + content

Collaboration @ GDGWS Library l Topics of Collaboration: Study of Culture and Tradition, Nutrition in Tradition, Folk Tales, Weather and Climate, Festivals and Celebrations, Energy resources, Government etc. l Tools used for collaboration: Digital Brochure @read. write. think. com Online PPT @ Google Drive, Exchange of videos, emails, sound recordings, Prezi and Microsoft Presentations.

Flat Stanley l The Flat Stanley Project was started in 1995 by Dale Hubert, a third grade schoolteacher in London, Ontario, Canada. l It is meant to facilitate letter-writing by schoolchildren to each other as they document where Flat Stanley has accompanied them. l Use to exchange information of various places and countries through Flat Stanley a paper boy. l Children exchange ideas, photographs, questions and information with students overseas.

Collaboration @ GDGWS PYP Library Folktales exchanged Indian Folktale: Panchtantra story- The Loyal Mongoose (Edu College, South Africa) African Folktale: The Great Anansi (GDGWS, India )

o

Connecting classrooms means connecting world, connecting culture and connecting future.