Global Awareness Lesson

I chose a lesson involving the use of ePals through http://www.epals.com. Students will communicate with students from other countries over the course of 4-5 weeks. During these communications they will gather information from their e-pals about their life and culture. Students will also research on the internet to gather additional information. Throughout and upon the conclusion of the information gathering students will use the KidBlog website (http://www.kidblog.org) to create a blog about what they have learned. I like both of these sites because they offer privacy and complete teacher control. Teachers are able to control and monitor what kids are seeing and posting.

This lesson is a great way for students to become more aware of other cultures around the world while also gaining skill in using technology. Young students do not know a world without some of the technologies we have available in our country today. They may not realize that many countries are not as advanced as the United States and students do not have access to the same things that they do. Completing this project helps them to become aware of the world around them, develop tolerance and understanding of our differences, and recognize that in many ways we are the same. Using the computer and internet to conduct research provides useful skills students will need throughout their school careers. Communication with an ePal via e-mail lets them gain valuable experience with this tool and using proper etiquette. Creating a blog on the KidBlog site provides an opportunity for students to learn how to create digital content in a private, safe, teach monitored environment.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brian Gillespie on April 2, 2013 at 3:14pm

It would also be interesting to turn this lesson around a bit. Have the students do research and create the blog, then have their ePal connections comment on the blog or contribute to the blog to fill in that information and give it a more personal touch.

I really like the idea of collaborating with a foreign culture. Many of our biases are generated by a lack of perspective. Connecting students with other cultures early in their lives will provide them with more perspective on the world. This will help prevent them from generating inaccurate biases based on incomplete information.

Permalink Reply by Robin McCarter on April 7, 2013 at 4:09pm

That's a great idea! Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Lindsey Williams on April 6, 2013 at 3:16pm

I chose to use epals as well. I like how you are using the kidblog as a resource for students to reveal what they have learned about the country they are researching. This is something I want to look into. Using epals is a great way to incorporate social studies into the language arts curriculum.

Permalink Reply by Robin McCarter on April 7, 2013 at 4:11pm

I agree. I think it would make it so much more interesting and "real" for the students.

Permalink Reply by Andrea Bonacasa on April 7, 2013 at 10:53am

I really like your lesson. I really like the idea of using ePals with the students. I think that by learning about different countries from students that live there, my students will enjoy learning about those particular countries. The lesson I created is very similar to yours, but I did not have the students do a KidBlog when they were done with their research. They did a power point presentation for the class. I like your idea of using KidBlog and would love to try and incorporate that somehow.

Permalink Reply by Robin McCarter on April 7, 2013 at 4:14pm

Thanks! I think KidBlog is a great way to introduce kids to blogging. It's completely private (if you choose to set it that way) and teachers can monitor everything before, during and after publication. Definitely worth looking into...and it's free for teachers!

Permalink Reply by Kim Cross on April 7, 2013 at 11:48am

I used kidblog for my global awareness lesson as well! I think that the use of a blog is a great way to share information with others, as well as it gives students great experience creating a blog. ePals seems like a great way for students to meet others around the world, this will be a great way for them to learn about other cultures. I could definitely see myself incorporating ePals into my classroom in the future!

Permalink Reply by Robin McCarter on April 7, 2013 at 4:16pm

I'd love to actually use these sites with students as well. I love the connections they can make by using this technology and how much more fun it can make it to learn about each other.

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