Share Paper: Warming Global Relationships by Connecting International Classrooms

  1. Lyudmila Smirnova, Mount Saint Mary College, United States
  2. Tatiana Ivushkina, Moscow Institute of International Relations (University), Russian Federation
Wednesday, June 26 2:45 PM-3:05 PM Oak Bay 1

Abstract: This presentation addresses the question why, in an era of powerful emerging technologies that enable rich communication and collaboration, so many educators shy away from engaging students in global projects? Robust literature and experience with distant collaboration demonstrate the promise of globally connected classrooms. This promise was born out during the 2012 spring semester with a project called “It’s a Small World.” Two college classrooms, one from Russia and the other the US, were virtually connected to conduct project around cultural, economic, and political topics. The success of the collaboration was aided by the complementary learning goals of the two ...