Fall 2008 Global Classroom Training

First of all,

congratulations

to all participated in the fall 2008

Global Classroom

Training Workshop—

you are now officially

Global Guides!

Not only was the training a resounding success, it was simply a great time! Held at Teachers College, Columbia University on Saturday, October 4, we had 66 participants from almost 30 countries and from over 20 universities in the tri-state area. The diversity of participants in this semester’s training was inspiring, both in the range of backgrounds and interests each new Global Guide will bring to the Global Classroom community of K—12 students.

This training day kicked off with a detailed introduction to the inner workings of the NYC public school system. GC intern, Meaghan, addressed the need for interactive international education and the unique position of Global Guides as representatives of the global community to which so many NYC K—12 students are not exposed.

Next came the Global Classroom basics: participants learned how the program works, how to develop a workshop, and different techniques to keep it interactive. After an exercise in classroom management, it was time for lunch.

During the second part of the day, our trainees got the chance to observe Global Classroom in action through the lens of their future audience. Four veteran Global Guides transformed the training space into elementary, middle, and high school classrooms to engage participants in the lessons and activities they would present to any regular K—12 Global Classroom.

Iwan from Indonesia shared his family background through pictures and stories, emphasizing how such content helps elementary school students identify the similarities among cultures. He then complimented his anecdotes by teaching participants the popular children’s game ‘Suitan!’ By getting them out of their seats, laughing, and battling one another in this ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’—like game, he demonstrated the value of interactivity.

Darragh of Ireland gave a short explanation of Irish lore and Ogham stones. He then put his presentation into action by having participants perform the song of ‘Molly Malone,’ assigning each participant a pantomime to play, then presenting the entire song as a theatrical spectacle.

Sayaka from Japan gave new Global Guides a short lesson on Japanese education, economics, and government. To illustrate another method of engaging students, she drew parallels between American and Japanese politics, encouraging participants to ask their future audiences questions about their own lives.

Rita, our Mexican Global Guide, showed participants the benefits of multimedia as she presented on Mexican numbers, contemporary culture, geography, and Mexican bingo - La Loteria. After rotating to see 2 workshops, groups gathered to discuss and debrief.

For the last activity of the day, participants got the opportunity to put what they had learned into action during a workshop brainstorming session. Creativity permeated the room as groups excitedly discussed possible activities and topics they wanted to present. Refusing to let regional boundaries get in the way, one group even presented "Neverland" as their home country, explaining how they would teach elementary school students to fly and then have a feast, complete with the pretend food imagined by each student!

Thank you so much to all who participated and a very special thanks to our veteran Global Guides who came to pass their experience along—to Iwan, Rita, Sayaka, Darragh, Shailly, and YaLing, we owe so much of the day’s success to you!

To our new Global Guides, your enthusiasm and passion is contagious—this is going to be a great year for Global Classroom and we are very excited to have you join the ranks!

Lauren Perkins

Director of Global Classroom

Liza Stark

Global Classroom Coordinator