This document summarizes a presentation on using social and participatory media to support global learning. It discusses how these tools can foster authentic, peer-to-peer learning while developing 21st century skills. Examples provided include using Nings, blogs, wikis and Skype for collaborative projects around topics like clothing, food and hobbies. The document provides tips for teachers to get started, such as identifying the tool and conducting action research to improve over time. It also outlines potential issues like technical problems, privacy concerns and mixed abilities that may cause breakdowns. Strong school infrastructure with internet, email and databases is seen as important for smooth implementation.

1. Web2Where:
Online Social and Participatory
Media for the Global Classroom
By
Gail Casey
Classroom Teacher/Action
Researcher Geelong High School &
Deakin University, Australia
gcas@deakin.edu.au
Sue Dunlop
eLearning Leader, Geelong High
School, Australia
dunlop.susan.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
Global Education Conference
15th Nov 2011

2. Overview – This session will cover
Using Social and Participatory Media to support Global Learning:
(A PhD action research study)
What does
Environments for learning that are: global, flexible, creative & active.
it offer?
Knowledge building, authentic & peer-to-peer learning possibilities.
Why use it? Fostering digital citizenship & global competence. 21st century skills.
Global Nings, Blogs, Wikis, Skype, email – clothes, food, hobbies & virtual tours.
Examples
Different Sue and Gail
Perspectives
Tips to get
Action research, personal comfort levels & start small.
started
Road Map Which road to take? What to do if break-down occurs?
Infrastructure Active school email accounts & seamless
databases.
2 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

3. What does social & participatory media offer?
Web 2.0 - http://webtowhere.ning.com/group/getcreative
3 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

4. Why use it?
Endless Possibilities to Enhance Teaching and Learning
• Peer-to Peer • Authentic • Knowledge
Learning Learning Building
• http://ghs2010.ning.com/profiles/blogs/ • http://webtowhere.ning.com/gr • http://webtowhere.ning.c
gavins-news?xg_source=activity oup/globalclassroomprojects om/groups
Samples:
• http://ghs2010.ning.com/forum/topics/ning-samples-and-work-from
• http://ghs2011.ning.com/forum/topics/samples-1
4 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

5. Global is the new Local
Samples of student work
Blog
• http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=97161
Wiki
• http://onedayoneworld.pbworks.com/w/page/28214235/One-Day-One-World
• http://ghs2010.ning.com/group/onedayoneworldglobalproject
• http://thefourcornersclassroom.wikispaces.com/
Ning
• http://webtowhere.ning.com/group/globalclassroomprojects
• http://webtowhere.ning.com/group/studentgroups
Skype/Video Conferencing
5 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

6. Different Perspectives
Sue and Gail
Social and Participatory media:
1. Why do it when I have other skills to offer?
2. What learning do I have to support me?
3. Is there a clear picture?
4. Accountability issues
5. Comfort zone issues
6. Time constraints issues
Safe option - Teacher does all the work eg.
http://onedayoneworld.pbworks.com/w/page/28214235
/One-Day-One-World
How boring would the world be if
we were all the same?
6 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

7. Tips to get started
Identify the Environment you wish to use and work through your own
cycle of action research – Plan, Act, Analyze, Reflect (build resilience):
• Make this environment consistently part of
your day to day class work over time:
• Iron out any issues/problems over time
• Build your student’s confidence (Web 2.0)
• School rules always apply
• Go Global - Invite other classes to join you:
• Let them see your day to day work
• Be prepared for them to ‘lurk’
• Don’t expect students or teachers to read all
instructions – be flexible (ESL issues)
• Be brave and invite at least 3 other
schools/classes (safety net – too many
things can go wrong with only 1 school)
7 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

8. Road Maps to prepare for the journey
OFF ROAD ADVENTURING CITY TO CITY TRAVEL TRAVEL THE LOCAL STREETS
• Social Media & Web 2.0 • Join a project where • Join one 2-4 week global
• Ning, chats, forums, apps students are responsible project where the teacher
• Teachers are facilitators & for working in active generally checks & publishes
moderators global groups. the work.
• Groups/forums for each task
• Students are • Online Postcard project
• Topic forums
producers & • Teddy bear project
• Students as resources
publishers • Digital Dan project
• Models for learning
• Student directed groups • Teacher facilitates &
• Students take a few
• Informal learning checks published pictures and share
• Students as resources work some writing.
• Teacher Critical friends • Blog or Wiki project
• Other learning areas
• Rewards
• Student cycle of learning
• Student control/Active learners
• Critical thinkers
• Students check work
• Students as producers, publishers
& designers
• 21st Century life skills
8 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

9. What do you do if break-down 0ccurs?
Elements that can cause ongoing breakdowns:
Skills Internet
Partnership
Privacy Expectations
Mixed
Timelines
abilities
9 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

10. School Infrastructure
Major elements needed to make things work smoothly:
Internet Email Databases Support
10 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop

11. Plan, Act Analyze, Reflect
A continuous cycle of teacher professional learning through action research.
Student Work
11 current & active global
projects using social and
participatory media:
http://webtowhere.ning.com/group/glo
balclassroomprojects
Remaining open, listening to ‘student voices’ and remaining
flexible helps to find new possibilities which can help to take
student learning to the next level.
11 By Gail Casey and Sue Dunlop