Global connections in the classroom allow students all over the world to collaborate and learn together. In most schools, educators choose the tried-and-true pen pal initiatives, in which students find a partner class with which they can correspond by postal mail or email to learn more about each other’s cultures and regions.
However, the world continues to become smaller as globalization continues to increase at a rapid rate. Therefore, making global connections should be an integral component of the educational experience for children so that they can grow their 21st-century global competencies.. This is where courses on global citizenship and steam programs in schools come in.
The online learning trend driven by the pandemic has made it easier to adopt global connections in classrooms post-pandemic. Read on to learn why every school should consider this approach and how it will become the future of educational experiences.
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Why Are Global Connections Important
Connections outside of the classroom are not only becoming more conceivable, but they are also more important than ever. Because we live in a global world, our students are increasingly required to develop abilities as global collaborators and citizens. Here’s why every school must focus on global connections in the classroom.
Leading the Way to Personal & Academic Development
As our students become older, they will most likely be interacting with people all over the world, both personally and professionally. In addition, global concerns necessitate problem-solvers and leaders who can effectively interact with others all over the world to overcome.
When we connect our kids with others, we expose them to fresh ideas and help them develop a more comprehensive understanding of the world. Experiences with people from other cultures can help kids see how we are more alike than we are different.
This enhanced understanding of one another can also raise awareness and appreciation for our differences and similarities. This deeper connection can also aid in the development of higher social and emotional skills, such as self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship skills.
Fostering Diverse & Inclusive Learning
Technology has made interacting and collaborating with peers all over the world far more accessible and simpler than ever before. We can use it to create connections that allow students to learn with and from their peers by collaboratively engaging in relevant, authentic, project-based, and inquiry-based learning.
Students can positively impact the world around them by participating in these activities. Although video conferencing tools have been available for over a decade, it is only recently that instructors and students have had easy access to these tools, thanks to remote learning and changed teaching patterns as a result of the pandemic.
One of the silver linings of the pandemic-affected school year is that teachers and students now have the skills and confidence to successfully incorporate courses on global citizenship and video conferencing.
Forming Global Friendships & Networks
Having a pen pal in school can help break through classroom walls and interact with people outside of our surroundings. It’s fantastic to form new friendships and learn about their lives and experiences. On the other hand, traditional mail makes it difficult to develop and maintain these contacts.
Fortunately, technological advancements have transformed the pen pal experience. Teachers can now use social media to interact with colleagues worldwide and connect their pupils with other classrooms. There are also an increasing number of web platforms accessible to facilitate these partnerships.
Students no longer have to wait weeks for correspondence because of the availability of digital platforms. Instead, they can connect immediately using Skype, Microsoft Teams, Loom, or Google Meet.
Learning about Cultures & Global Events
We are responsible for teaching our students how to engage and communicate effectively with people from all walks of life, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or geographic location. This is essential if we want to train the next generation of students, workers, and global citizens.
Learning about other cultures can have numerous advantages in the classroom. We are already living in a hyper-connected world. We should begin teaching our students to speak with people from all over the world as soon as possible because that is the environment in which they will likely work in the future.
Students’ empathy grows as a result of their global connections. There are numerous catastrophes happening around the world, yet many of our students are not affected by them. When children are able to see and interact with students from other countries through global classroom connections, global events become more real to them. As a result, there is a sense of concern and empathy when a country or territory experiences a natural disaster.
Introducing Safe & Effective Communicating
Global connections also teach students how to communicate effectively in digital environments. Students can learn internet etiquette and safety standards by interacting with other classes.
It is important to demonstrate safe online behavior when posting and sharing work with a worldwide audience and engaging in online interactions. When it comes to online communication, respect is of the utmost importance, and this should not only be modeled but also taught to students.
Create Global Connections in Classrooms with Level Up Village
Level Up Village’s mission is to globalize the classroom by facilitating intercultural collaboration between language students worldwide. The goal of LUV’s Global Connections program is to allow students the opportunity to learn about different cultures, while simultaneously using their language skills in an authentic way. Enabling classrooms to connect globally can foster cultural exchanges and a sense of global citizenship. Our courses can build relationships across cultures both locally and globally. Visit Level Up Village to learn more.
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