UTeach Dallas-Belarus Global Collaboration
For the next 6 weeks, you as pre-service teachers in both Belarus and the US will be communicating and collaborating on a variety of education-related topics. Many of these topics are about mathematics and science, since these are the areas of specialization for students in these two courses. Kate York and Katie Donaldson are the supervising instructor for the students in the US, and Ms. Sposob is the supervising instructor for the students in Belarus. A main learning outcome of this partnership will be to engage in and practice digital and global citizenship, continue professional growth in 21st century skills, and foster global competence, awareness, and appreciation that can be transferred to future classrooms.
One way to achieve this goal is to engage in conversation with other teachers and future teachers, especially globally, to gain unique perspectives on and approaches to teaching. We have designed this to be a fun learning and growth experience for all involved. If at any time there are questions, just ask your professors.
The following will provide you with some guidance as to how this collaboration is to function:
How will we communicate?
In large part, this collaboration will be asynchronous, meaning that students will not be communicating in “real time.” However, your course instructors have scheduled two (2) synchronous communication Skype sessions! Those dates will be provided to you. It is important to note that there is a 9 hour time difference between the locations. English will be the primary language used for communication.
Where will we communicate?
Communication will take place on the iEARN site (www.iearn.org). Students will complete the activities in teams. While the professors for each set of students have set individual course requirements for discussions, please feel free to comment, respond, and participate beyond the minimum expectations. Each week, a separate set of discussion questions/tasks will be listed.
What topics will be discussed?
Each week, a new set of questions/activities will be posted in iEARN and on here. These might include a brief reading, discussion questions, a video post, etc. All will be about education-related topics.
What etiquette should we follow?
All of you are professionals. Therefore, communication should be expressed as such. That being said, we all come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and cultures. It is important not make assumptions. Additionally, use more formal language (avoid “slang”) in order to more adequately convey ideas. Each individual class may have additional information on effective communication in global collaborations!
For the next 6 weeks, you as pre-service teachers in both Belarus and the US will be communicating and collaborating on a variety of education-related topics. Many of these topics are about mathematics and science, since these are the areas of specialization for students in these two courses. Kate York and Katie Donaldson are the supervising instructor for the students in the US, and Ms. Sposob is the supervising instructor for the students in Belarus. A main learning outcome of this partnership will be to engage in and practice digital and global citizenship, continue professional growth in 21st century skills, and foster global competence, awareness, and appreciation that can be transferred to future classrooms.
One way to achieve this goal is to engage in conversation with other teachers and future teachers, especially globally, to gain unique perspectives on and approaches to teaching. We have designed this to be a fun learning and growth experience for all involved. If at any time there are questions, just ask your professors.
The following will provide you with some guidance as to how this collaboration is to function:
How will we communicate?
In large part, this collaboration will be asynchronous, meaning that students will not be communicating in “real time.” However, your course instructors have scheduled two (2) synchronous communication Skype sessions! Those dates will be provided to you. It is important to note that there is a 9 hour time difference between the locations. English will be the primary language used for communication.
Where will we communicate?
Communication will take place on the iEARN site (www.iearn.org). Students will complete the activities in teams. While the professors for each set of students have set individual course requirements for discussions, please feel free to comment, respond, and participate beyond the minimum expectations. Each week, a separate set of discussion questions/tasks will be listed.
What topics will be discussed?
Each week, a new set of questions/activities will be posted in iEARN and on here. These might include a brief reading, discussion questions, a video post, etc. All will be about education-related topics.
What etiquette should we follow?
All of you are professionals. Therefore, communication should be expressed as such. That being said, we all come from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and cultures. It is important not make assumptions. Additionally, use more formal language (avoid “slang”) in order to more adequately convey ideas. Each individual class may have additional information on effective communication in global collaborations!
