Importance of Student Communication on a Worldwide Level

Entry #9

You all are probably tired of hearing me talk about Kathy Cassidy, but I wanted to say one more thing about her and then I will stop (well, I might stop)! When she made a comment on one of my posts, she helped me answer an important question I had that I am sure other teachers probably have as well. We already know social learning is an important component of today’s learner and that communicating with students from other schools, other states, and even other countries is important, but how do you find these other classes that may want to communicate with yours? For example, how did Mrs. Cassidy find that class in New Zealand that her students communicate with and learn so much from? Mrs. Cassidy provided me with a URL to a wiki that she has begun where teachers have left their class blog URLs for others to view. Mrs. Cassidy advice to me was as follows: “If you want to connect with other classes, the best way is to start commenting on blogs of classes that interest you. Leave your email address and/or the URL of your blog, and they may comment back to you. These relationships take some time to develop, but are so valuable”. Well, I explored this wiki and found some classes even younger than Mrs. Cassidy’s students that are blogging. They are so fun to read (especially the kindergartners)! There is also a link provided that takes you to a multitude of blogs done by students, classes, teachers, librarians, administrators, etc. You can go to this site and leave your class blog URL (if you decide to do one) and attempt to connect with one of these (or several of these) classes as well.

In Belgica’s post called Worldwide Kids she talks about the importance of global education, which reminds me of communicating with students from other countries. She refers to an article called “Putting the World into World-Class Education” by Sharon Lynn and Vivien Stewart. In this article, the authors write the following: “globalization is driving demand for an internationally competent work force. New security challenges require greater proficiency in world languages, and increasing diversity in our nation’s classrooms and workplaces necessitates a greater understanding of other cultures. It defines global education-international education as the knowledge of other world regions, cultures, and global/international issues. Furthermore, to have a global education includes having the skill of communicating in languages other than English, working in global environments, and using information from different sources around the world. Also important is placing value on, and showing respect and concern for other cultures and peoples.” Through communication with other classes in other countries through blogs, wikis, etc., we are enabling our students to learn so much about other cultures. This will, in effect, prepare them for their future jobs as our economy becomes more global. Belgica’s post reminded me of many of the important features we have been reading about in our textbook, Wikinomics. In chapter two (“The Perfect Storm), the authors say the following: “The future, therefore, lies in collaboration across borders, cultures, companies, and disciplines. Countries that focus narrowly on ‘national goals’ or turn inward will not succeed in the new era. Likewise, firms that fail to diversify their activities geographically and develop robust global innovation webs will find themselves unable to complete in a global world. Effectively, it’s globalize or die”. Mrs. Cassidy’s students have learned so much about the students in New Zealand - - what their lives are like, about the area in which they live, etc. They regard the students there as their friends. They are already one step ahead of many of the employees of businesses attempting to globalize.

Patti Weig has a wonderful website where she works closely with Kidlink – “A place for kids to collaborate and network with friends around the world”. It is well worth exploring her site if you are interested in having your students begin something like this. The students at Delmar Elementary have shared why they enjoy being a part of this project. One little girl named Tessa says the following: “I learn a lot of stuff from the different kids, like the sports played in their country, and some traditions, too. The reason I like doing it is probably because I enjoy learning about new people. Some of my penpals are Ortal, Ines, and Diana. Ortal is from Israel, Ines is from Portugal, and Diana is from Portugal, too. When Israel's prime minister was shot, I wrote Ortal a letter to comfort her.” These students are truly learning compassion for others, are probably more accepting of other cultures than any adult would ever be, and are probably more geographically literate than most educators!

As we have discussed what the workplace will be like for our students, I can’t help but thinking that communicating with other students from different countries should be a significant component of our curriculum in order to better prepare our students for this workplace. We have discussed the technology tools they will need and the personality traits they will need, but we have never really spoken about the understanding they will need to have of other cultures or the respect for other cultures and peoples that will be required. I can’t think of a better way to teach our students this than to have them communicate with students from other countries on a regular basis. I am hoping that through this blog you have realized the importance of allowing students to communicate with others not only so that they will learn about other countries, other cultures, and other people, but also so that they will be better prepared to fulfill their future job.

Issue: How do you find other classes in different countries who are willing to communicate with your students on a regular basis through blogs, wikis, email, etc.?

Solution: Share your classes’ blog URL on the wiki Mrs. Cassidy is starting or join Kidlink. Having your students communicate with students from other countries while they are young will make this natural for them as they grow older and will in effect prepare them for the workplace they will be a part of.