Several global cooperation websites have been designed as common working programs to sustain collective learning and support mutual understanding. The aim of these sites is to bring educators and students from across the globe together to collectively promote consciousness of ideas and foster creative learning.For this mod assignment I reviewed several global collaboration websites. All the sites I toured were very well designed and offered multiple levels of both student and teacher support however, I especially liked the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Collaboration Center and the International Education and Resource Network sites. Both of these resources I felt had features that I thought encouraged collaboration and allowed for the type of networking between teachers and students that I desire.
iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the world's largest non-profit global network. This site enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world. The projects feature allows students to participate by writing, drawing or sending pictures about population, geography, culture, agriculture, industry, economy, and environment. By sharing information, students learn more about one another, and also improve their own communication skills and awareness of their country and culture. I found the forum element of this site to be of particular interest. The teacher forum can be utilized by teachers as a place to meet, talk, and make announcements. It is also a place to share initial project ideas, obtain feedback, as well as potential project partners. This would be a great way for me to reach out to other Respiratory Care professor to determine how Therapists in other parts of the county are trained in sleep technology.
The CILC Collaboration Center is a venue for educators to meet, create a collaborative environment, and share their reflections. This site allows teachers to post their own collaborative idea or need as well as respond to posts ideas and questions. As I toured this site I thought this too would be a great way for me to join forces with other respiratory professors in other parts of the country. Collaboration would allow me to learn how other countries view current American medical policies, best practice, and current protocols. I also thought this might be a way for students to post their ideas for lab sessions, and teaching exercises.
Although it seems like global collaboration may have originated as a way to support universal issues such as world peace, the environment, and healthcare I believe this concept has it’s place in education as well.
Connie
http://www.iearn.org/
http://www.cilc.org/c/community/collaboration_center.aspx
