Nearpod: Global Collaboration opportunities

Nearpod is a digital lesson library. There are countless lessons and available activities on this site. You may ask yourself, why does that matter even in the slightest? Well.. By having such a large selection of resources, Nearpod has boundless opportunities via countless means. Many of those opportunities can contribute to global collaboration, as there are lessons from across the world available on Nearpod by which classrooms can gain a global consciousness. There are also many lessons with VR or AR capabilities where students can utilize modern technologies. 

As a global tool, Nearpod is used all over the world. Because of this, the opportunities are vast for, say, classrooms in America to be granted exposure to classrooms all over the world. Not just the students, but educators as well can benefit from the global presence that Nearpod has access to. Educators in 160+ countries use Nearpod. For educators, exposure to educators from all over the globe can lead to inspiration and the ability to craft new lessons for their classrooms!

Returning to the ideas of global collaboration...

Through Nearpod, classrooms in non-affected areas can learn about issues in affected areas. That probably sounds vague and makes no sense, so here is an example: The conflict in Kashmir is not happening in the United States, and thus, may go relatively unknown to students. Nearpod has lessons on this conflict however, and from this, students can gain an understanding of global events. Through their understanding, students, working on goals projects or any project in general, can address the issues, working alongside their peers and potentially governments to try and make a powerful statement on topics all over the world. 

Students can work together, with their classmates on projects, but that isn't all that much GLOBAL collaboration is it? Nearpod has collaboration activities, where students can collaborate, similar to a padlet or a jamboard. This next part is solely on the educators to make possible. Collaboration is possible across borders, continents, and oceans. The only prerequisite is that educators from across the world will have to connect first. Should they connect, they can bring their classrooms together and have their students work alongside each other, despite any distance between them! Through this collaboration, issues such as the Kashmir conflict can be discussed by students of many nations(if their teachers connect first that is!). Should there be a connection between classrooms, those global goals projects I mentioned earlier can be worked on by students who simultaneously on opposite sides of the planet! Those projects would be so interesting, as the collaboration between different nations students could yield great results. 

Changemakers - Say It Now

    Being a future educator I am open to all tips and tricks. This course alone has given me so many outlets and options that I am inclined to use in my class as a new teacher. Navigating around WE Virtual Learning Center  has made me excited for future use.

  I located the Virtual Learning Center on the website which provides so many cool courses and organizational tools for teacher use. They provide calendars to help plan our days and lesson plans as well as courses to help teachers navigate student engagement and empowerment.

  They also provide downloadable resources for teachers as walk through, step-by-step instructional lessons. I like the We Have Gratitude lesson and could definitely see my self using this in my class. This downloadable resource provides the purpose and objective of the lesson. It provides the skills that will be used, the time that will be consumed and the materials that are needed.

    Not only do these lesson plans lay things out for us, they are fun and interactive. Even the modules are colorful and intriguing. Here is a screenshot of part of an activity given in the We Have Gratitude downloadable content, which walks the teacher and the students through the lesson plans. 

    WE Virtual Learning Center seems like such a good tool to use in the classroom especially for new coming teachers who really don't know how to run things yet. I will for sure be using programs like this and others to help direct my classes! 

WE Virtual Learning Center: The Future Of My Classroom

     All throughout the semester, it has been a great learning opportunity to understand and engage with online web tools. As we come to a close for this semester, I explore one last reflection, and ultimately provide my audience with tools I will be using in my future classroom. 

    WE Virtual Learning Center, is a website dedicated to providing resources for not only students, but educators as well. Throughout my discovery of this website, I found something called We Virtual
Workshops. On this tab of the website, it provides videos which are labeled as workshops. These videos go in depth about lessons, and even connect students to others around the world, with something called Global Classrooms. 

When explaining major subjects, these videos/virtual workshops will come in handy within the classroom. They are fun, interactive, and engaging all at once, which will be perfect to incorporate into lessons.     Overall, I love this website, and I will be exploring it further and using other tools provided as well.

Harbringers of positive, communal change

Following the conclusion of this semester, the Spring 2025 semester, I will officially be closer to entering the classroom as an educator than I was leaving the classroom the last time as a student(K-12). With that in mind, it is important to begin formulating how exactly one will go about leading their classroom! Those formulations should be things that future educators are excited about, things that will immediately bring value to the classroom. 

I did some digging around the WE.org site, and eventually came across the service-learning student toolkit. This toolkit revolves around, well, service learning! As I read through this toolkit, I saw that the examples of success stories working with a service-learning oriented approach were younger students. I will be a high school teacher, so ages 15-18. My thinking process leads me to believe that service learning is better suited for that age group. These students are entering either college or the workforce, part-time or full time, and the skills that can be gained from this learning style can greatly aid in the endeavors, both future or current, for high school students. Skills like those listed below are very important to have whether or not a student goes to college or the workforce. 

Should I be able to find ways to engage my students into a service-learning environment, I can set them up to cultivate vital traits that will greatly benefit their futures. As an educator, I see it as my role to inspire and provide as much support to my students. That would include examples like this, providing opportunities for my students to grow. 

Potentially incorporating a toolkit like this also excites me, as high school age students have one thing at their disposal that other level students don't... cars! If working through these lessons inspires them, they can go out on their own and continue doing good in the world. That is exciting to me because that is what I aim to do as a teacher: I aim to inspire and promote good, and through lessons like this, that is very much possible. 

Through lesson guiding, or through individual efforts, my students can go out into the world and bring about a positive impact. Just the idea of that is exciting, and the potential lesson planning like the service-learning student toolkit brings is enough for it to be incredibly valuable to any classroom. If incorporated properly, students can become harbingers of positivity, and that would make me, as an educator, so incredibly proud of them and what we have been able to do! 

Google: an accessibility driven Company

In the United States K-12 education system, the google system is widely used. Google has a myriad of tools that can be used in the classroom, and due to their increased usage in the United States, I do believe that Google has ensured that their tools have proper accessibility upgrades to make sure that the students who use their tools are all accommodated for. 

Google Chromebook accessibility upgrades:

A Chromebook was distributed to every student in my high school beginning in 2020 (Covid influenced this decision by the district). I am sure that other districts across the country followed a similar path. With students having access to the Chromebook it then becomes a priority to create an environment where ALL students can thrive. The Chromebook has several key accessibility upgrades that can aid those with visual impairments. The big three of those upgrades would be the In Screen Reader, the braille device-Chromebook compatibility, and the On Screen Keyboard. The In Screen Reader is a tool that reads the screen to the computer user, making the user able to still comprehend what is on the screen, even if they struggle seeing. Compatibility with Braille devices allows blind users to read their screens through their device, making the internet a new realm that formerly was blocked off. For those with poor vision, the On Screen Keyboard can be used to place a keyboard on the screen, which is much larger and also is able to be used by touch(if available on the computer). 

Google Docs follows suit:

Google Docs has similar accessibility capabilities as the Chromebook in general, and that should be expected! It is all google after all. Google Docs has the same In Screen Reader as the Chromebook, however, in Docs, the Reader can be used to edit documents! The braille accessibility is still available within Google Docs which will aid those with vision problems. Where Docs differs from the broader Chromebook is that you can type through your voice. This can aid those who, again, struggle with vision. The ability to speak instead of type can make writing much easier if it is difficult to see the keys on a keyboard. 

Gmail and the importance of Email: 

An email and access to it is important at all levels of life, whether as a student or adult. However, some people do need aid, and Google has provided some with its tools built into Gmail. The trend continues! Gmail also has access to the In Screen Reader. This of course allows for the visually impaired to get some help with what is on their screen. As for an overall accessibility upgrade, Gmail can be accessed, through IMAP(Internet message access protocol), across multiple email clients. In other words, your gmail can be utilized through other email applications like outlook. 

Google Slides, copying Docs? It's all Google so yeah!

Google slides is another heavily used Google application. As mentioned above, the schools of The United States love google, so slides is used heavily for projects and lecture slides. For students with visual impairments to do work in Slides, it is important that their vision gap is met with proper accessibility upgrades. Google Slides also has the built in In Screen Reader, which, same as for the previous tools, can be used to read the screen to the user, enabling them to hear, should they struggle reading. Slides also has access to Braille device compatibility. A tool that separates Slides from Docs however, is their caption system. While presenting a slideshow, the user can turn on captions, allowing those who may have trouble hearing the ability to read the captions of the presentation, bridging the auditory gap. 

Google Sheets, the hardest Google tool to learn:

Sheets is hard to learn in its entirety, but that is just because it has the most baseline features. What that means however, is that it can be increasingly difficult for students with accessibility needs. Following the preceding programs, Google sheets has Braille device support and the In Screen Reader built into it. This includes the In Screen Readers ability to have live commentary. This live commentary would be useful when collaborating on a document with others. The In Screen Reader can announce the entrance and departure of document collaborators along with whether or not the user is working(typing, deleting, inserting) near one of their collaborators. Once more, Google is making sure their most used tools have accessibility features for those with visual impairments, ensuring that they do not feel left out and are quite literally not left out. 

Google Chrome, searching for accessibility: 

While using the google search engine, students with accessibility issues have been given the opportunity to search for accessibility features via Chrome extensions. This tool, the Chrome extension tool, allows students to search for accessibility features that can tailor to their needs. Chrome also has the capacity to turn on image descriptions, where the device will describe images that are on the screen. The most intriguing tool is the Chrome Actions tool. This tool can streamline, well, actions. This can help speed up processes and allow students to work faster, which can aid students. An example of this would be asking Chrome to "create a google doc" or "translate this page." This tool is interesting and I am curious as to why Google created it, because there must have been a specific reason. Regardless, this tool can help students with accessibility needs through its ability to speed up processes and center all of Googles tools into the search bar, streamlining all of its processes. 

 Seven Accessibility Tools in Microsoft 

Built in Dictation Functionality

This tool found in Microsoft allows for students to use speech to text to verbalize their ideas when writing. This can be helpful for students who have a hard time spelling or typing! This can be useful for elementary ed and secondary ed!

Magnify Reader 

This tool can be used to help zoom in on text and make it bigger. It can be useful to students who have disabilities regarding their vision. This tool also allows for the user to drag their cursor over words and the computer will read the text to the user. This can be useful for students who are still working on their foundational reading skills!

Color Filters 

This tool is available for students who may be color blind. They can change the setting to help assist them in distinguishing between visuals. The options are as follow: Inverted, gray scale, grayscale inverted, red-green (red weak, red-green (green weak), and blue-yellow. There are many different options for students pending on which lights their eyes can process and those they can not. 

Text Scaling

This tool can make text appear bigger or smaller depending on the user's needs. This does not distort the visual layout and may be useful for those who struggle reading smaller text or for those who need the text to be smaller! Whatever it may be Microsoft can make it happen!

Mouse Pointer

Microsoft offers a tool that allows for the mouse cursor to appear, larger smaller, inverted or a different color depending on the user's needs. This can make it easier for the user to follow along during instruction and navigation!

Narrator

It is a tool that is a screen reader. It can read and describe what is being seen on the screen aloud. This app supports more than 50 different languages and can be used for those who are learning in a different language and students who have vision differences. 

Immersive Reader

This tool allows for detraction free reading experience. Students can adjust the text to make it easier to see as well as having text read aloud to them. This supports students who are learning parts of speech and can translate words for students who have learning disabilities or language differences. 

Google slides as a Hyperdoc

In the United States, we love google and google software. The rest of the world prefers microsoft. That is not of particular importance however. It is only noteworthy because google will likely be the software of classrooms in America. For that reason it is important for K-12 educators to understand google software. Google slides do not have to be just words on a screen used for lecture, google slides can be so much more. I found a "beginners guide" to hyperdocs and found it to be a nice thorough enough video that showcases, in a beginners fashion, some capabilities of hyperdocs via google slides. 

As I noted previously, the world uses Microsoft, whereas America uses Google, and while I personally think that Microsoft has a significant gap between them and other software, Google slides are by no means bad. I think that Google slides are a nice, friendly on the eyes software, that, while it may not possess ALL of the capabilities of PowerPoint, it still very much can hold its own as a suitable program for educational settings. On the whole, Google Slides is very similar to PowerPoint, but Google owned programs flow better through Slides. That means that educators can connect Google Docs, Google Sheets, even Google Maps to their Slides, among other tools, and the classroom can access it all through the sole Google Slides. This can streamline a lesson and make it significantly easier for students to access a multitude of links, sites, etc. Using Slides as a hyperdoc also creates a centralized base for all essential links, sources, and embedded tools. 

Since hyperdocs are interactive, it will be much more engaging for the students because it isn't a boring lecture. They are enabled to click around, explore a little, and that can help stimulate their learning and consequently, their understanding. Speaking of understanding, educators have to understand hyperdocs as well, and there are many online resources where educators can get some inspiration. While this site, may not be exclusive to Google slides, it offers templates and ideas for hyperdocs. There is a paid subscription to access ALL of the sites resources, but there is a free option that allows for usage. Overall, hyperdocs via google slides can elevate a lesson. It can help students stay engaged and promote further understanding and learning if done right. In order to do it right, educators have to learn the program they wish to use, or find templates or learning opportunities for themselves. 

Virtual Field Trip to the San Diego Zoo!

There is so much that our world has to offer. Thankfully with technological advancements, we are able to experience incredible things right from our own home. One of the best ways to do this is through virtual field trips. Virtual field trips provide opportunities to explore nature, historical landmarks, and different cultures through live cameras and virtual reality.

A few weeks ago, I was observing a fifth-grade classroom. Before starting the day’s lesson, the teacher turned on a projector displaying a live feed of an eagle and her newly-hatched chicks. The students and I watched in fascination as the babies struggled to find their balance, lifted their heads, and eagerly accepted food from their mother. It was an incredible experience, showing how technology allows us to witness nature up close.

Coincidentally, my online course has inspired us this week to explore the world through live cameras and virtual reality field trips. As an animal lover, I knew right away that my virtual adventure had to involve wildlife. With so many live streams available, I was excited to find an experience that would bring me closer to animals in their natural habitats. For my virtual field trip, I chose to explore the San Diego Zoo’s live cams. Their website offers both live feeds and pre-recorded videos of various animals living at the zoo. Some of the incredible species you can observe include platypuses, giraffes, tigers, burrowing owls, hippos, baboons, penguins, giant pandas, and apes.

While not all animals were visible on the cameras at the time, which the zoo notes on their website, I was still able to catch some amazing sights. I watched a koala resting in a tree, a baby elephant feeding alongside two large adults, two polar bears lounging together, and a condor sleeping peacefully in its nest. Below are a few screen shots I had taken of the animals that were seen in the live cameras!

One of the best features of the San Diego Zoo’s live cams is that each feed includes links to learn more about the animals and their stories. It was fascinating to not only observe these incredible creatures but also gain a deeper understanding of their behaviors and habitats.

Virtual field trips open up a world of possibilities, allowing us to explore beyond our everyday surroundings. Whether it's observing wildlife, touring famous landmarks, or immersing ourselves in different cultures, these experiences bring learning and wonder to life in ways we never imagined.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Virtual Tour

 Today I took a virtual field trip at The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. A perfect summary of the virtual tour comes form the website itself saying, " The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display." On the site I clicked on "visit" it took me to a page where on the left side a three lined drop down menu was. I clicked on it and all the way at the bottom was a button label virtual tour. It brought me to a page with five different options of tours. The options were: Permanent Exhibits, Current Exhibits, Past Exhibits, Museums Support Center and Research Stations, Narrated Tours. 

Minerals 1 Exhibit 

The first thing I clicked on was Current Exhibits. Here I found what felt like one hundred hyper links to different exhibits within the museum. In an organized alphabetical list the different exhibits that fell under a subcategory. For example I clicked under Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, on the hyperlink "Minerals 1" here it took me to the exhibit where there was case of minerals and it was almost like a video game. There were arrows were you could pick which was you wanted to go next and a 3rd map of the museum! It was actually really cool, it feels like you are at the exhibits. In addition, there is also access to narrated tours of exhibits like the, David H. Koch Hall of Fossils- Deep Time, Human Origins, Objects of Wonders, and Sant Ocean Hall exhibits and a few more! These videos walk you through the exhibits providing information on whatever is being showcased. All in all I really enjoyed the site and see it being useful in the classroom one day! There is so much to see and different learning that can be applied and supported in this virtual tour. 

 

Virtual Tour: Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums showcase a 3D rendition of the various museums and significant locations within the Vatican City. The tours are strictly visual, however that is not much of a problem as you get to view the beautiful art and architecture of some of the Vatican City's most important locations. There are a total of fourteen observable 'museums.' These virtual rooms range from genuine museums such as the Profane Museum to the Sistine chapel and everything inbetween. The many halls and galleries of the Vatican are available for viewing.

The many viewing options of the site

I took a tour around the so called "Raphael's Rooms," which I assumed were dubbed so because Raphael was commissioned to paint and sculpt for the Vatican in those rooms. In the second room I noticed one of, if not Raphael's most famous work, The School of Athens. Raphael's Rooms were beautiful. They are covered in paintings from the walls to the ceilings, and sculptures line the rooms. This is just one of the rooms available for viewing, I imagine the others are of a similar cut of beauty. 

School of Athens(Raphael)

Following my tour of Raphael's Rooms, I moved onto the Sistine chapel, which may be the most visited of all of the Vatican museums. The Sistine Chapel was attended by Michelangelo, who took years(four years) to paint it in its entirety, Most notably, the Chapel ceiling showcases imagery of the book of Genesis, with the creation of Adam in the middle. The image below may look very strained, and it is, however, I believe that the strain showcases just how much paint is covering the walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The room really is completely covered by scenes from the Bible and it is quite beautiful.

Sistine Chapel ceiling

Looking through these rooms I couldn't help but think to myself how nice it would be to go and visit the Vatican, so see all of these rooms, halls, galleries, and chapels in person. however, I begun to think that in person these places would be MOBBED! While I still would like to visit the Vatican, this site allows for the viewer to not have to worry about hundreds of people taking away from the moment and clogging space. Through this site, many people all over the world have access to the beautiful and stunning art of the many museums of the Vatican without the crowding of being there in person. 

Presenter Coach: AI presentation assistance

For many people, presenting is difficult. Although they try their hardest to be prepared, they ultimately may do so without proper assistance. What exactly is the goal when practicing for a presentation? Is it memorization? Is it sounding good? Is it sounding like you know what you're talking about? In the pursuit of practice, we may focus on one or none of those things. Microsoft saw this issue and, alongside their PowerPoint and with the explosion of AI, developed Presenter Coach. Which is quite literally a presentation coach. Released in 2022, Microsoft's presenter coach is "an artificial intelligence-powered technology assistant that can help teachers and students prepare for presentations," and it works by "listening to your voice as you present, scanning the slide for content, and determining what you may need to work on"(Sail the 7 Cs with Microsoft Education, communicators chapter). This tool enables the PowerPoint itself to grade how well you are presenting. Instead of consulting a multitude of websites, people, or anything else, Microsoft's AI can run and aid you from the comfort of your desk, couch, chair, or really anywhere you can set up and work. As AI continues to become refined, this tool will surely be improved to understand more within whatever context is presented to it. Now, safety and privacy could be a concern with voice recording. However, Microsoft does not store information or voice logs, instead, Presenter Coach simply gives feedback and deletes voice logs afterwards(Sail the 7 Cs with Microsoft Education, communicators chapter). This is important because it reinforces Microsoft's stance on privacy and really shows that they care for the protection of students or youth who use their tool.

In the classroom, both students and teachers can utilize this tool. Teachers, to prepare for a lesson that involves lecturing off slides; Students, to prepare for a project that has them reading off slides. Of course, eventually, maybe with the aid of Presenter Coach, both students and teachers should become capable of presenting and not reading off slides. With the ability to publically speak so important, Presenter Coach proves to be a valuable tool to aid those who struggle in that sector and to help those who are skilled refine said skills. Tools like this, built in for free, are reasons why PowerPoint is the number 1 presentation software worldwide. As long as Microsoft continues to produce new tools and refine preexisting tools that aid students and teachers alike, it will continue to be on top of the presentation software industry. PowerPoint Presenter Coach is a perfect example of Microsoft adapting to the rise of AI and harnesing it to create opportunities for their users. 

Communicating With Sway

Why is communication important?

Communication is a vital component of any classroom, as it fosters an environment where ideas, knowledge, and feedback can be shared effectively. Strong communication allows teachers to clearly

explain concepts and ensure students grasp the material being taught. It also encourages student engagement, as learners feel more comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and expressing their thoughts. When students communicate clearly, they can better understand concepts, ask for clarification, and express their ideas confidently. This encourages collaboration with peers, allowing them to share knowledge, solve problems together, and develop critical thinking skills. Furthermore, students who can communicate well are more likely to succeed in academic and social settings, as they are able to articulate their needs, listen actively, and contribute to group discussions. 

About Sway:

Knowing how beneficial communication is in a classroom full of students, it is important to find tools that can help grow positive communication. One incredible tool is Microsoft Sway. Sway is a versatile digital tool that allows users to create visually engaging presentations, reports, content, and actively engage with others. It fosters collaboration by allowing multiple users to work on a project at the same time, making it easier to share ideas and updates in that moment. Its integration with other Microsoft tools, such as OneDrive and Teams, enhances seamless collaboration, allowing team members to contribute and edit content from anywhere. Most importantly, Sway strengthens communication by providing a tool where users can express ideas clearly and creatively. The ability to add text, images, videos, and interactive elements makes it an effective tool for conveying information in an engaging and accessible way. There is an incredible video that will be linked here that shows how to use Sway and how to create a newsletters, presentations, and webpages!

How does Sway grow students' communication skills?

Microsoft Sway is excellent in helping students grow their communication skills by allowing them to create interactive, multimedia-rich presentations. With Sway, students can organize and express their ideas in a dynamic and visually appealing way, through incorporating text, images, videos, and even charts. This encourages them to present information creatively and more effectively, making it easier for both them and their peers to understand complex topics. This tool’s collaborative features enable students to work together, providing a platform for easy communication and teamwork. By using Sway, students can improve their ability to communicate ideas clearly, engage their audience, and collaborate with others, all while developing a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

Personal Note:

After discovering Sway through my course book Sail the 7Cs With Microsoft Education, I was immediately impressed and eager to start using it. With several upcoming projects in my classes, I'm excited to dive in and explore its incredible abilities. What’s even better is that learning and mastering collaboration and communication tools like Sway, will allow me to leverage them to enhance my future students' learning experiences!

"Everybody Cooks Rice" 

    The tool I decided to research is a book called, :everybody Cooks Rice," by Norah Dooley, illustrated by Peter. J Thornton. The book is for prek-3rd grade, which is perfect because I am competing my P-3 certification. The book is about a little girl who goes to her neighbor's houses to look for her little brother. Where she finds that everyone is getting ready for dinner and all of them preparing rice in a different way to eat for dinner. This story is very cute and age appropriate in explaining cultural differences to children. It shows them differences in people but through food which I think is very clever and relatable for a child because who doesn't love food. It helps them see that all people are the same, they just may do things slightly different, like preparing rice. I also like that it shows students that all rice is the same but it can be prepared differently making it look or even taste different and that is kind of how we are as people. We are all the same but we may be raised with different beliefs and values  making us "different' but really we are all just people the same way its all just rice. 

 I have actually read this story before. I can't remember if it was to one of my classes or if my professor introduced it to us but I really enjoyed the story. If I were to read the book again to a class I would create cute activity to go along with the book. I would ask the kids questions before I began reading, like who has had rice before? What kind of rice do your parents makes? and then I would make connections through out the story. I would have students raise their hand during reading about each family to see who also makes rice in that manner. After the story I would have the students do a turn and talk, discussing not only different rice but other different foods they have at dinner. Once they share I would create an anchor chart documenting all the foods the children eat for dinner. Finally, I would have the students draw a picture of different foods they can find at their dinner table. Once the students are done with their pictures I would do a gallery walk where all of the students can look at their classmates work and each student would have an opportunity to tell us about the food they eat. 

A really cool extension that could be done with this story is doing a potluck. This would be a great way to increase family engagement in the classroom. I would send home a letter and an email asking parents if they have family recipes for different rice dinner and organize a day for all of the students to bring in a dish and try different families recipes. This would be a super fun way to try new foods and for children to be introduced to different culture's foods. All in all, I think the story has a really great message for kids and there are many activities that can be done to enhance the message within the story. Below is a YouTube read aloud of the story! Sometimes a read aloud is great use of technology in the classroom. It serves as differentiation of instruction for different learners. 

Collaboration in the Learning Environment

    Everyone has their own ideas and is unique which is why collaborating with each other is so important. Through collaboration, information can be easily spread and new ideas can be shared. Collaborating with other people is something that everyone will need to do at some point in their life and learning how to do it more efficiently is an important skill to learn. There are many programs that make collaboration easier and can be used to help students collaborate together or help teachers collaborate with each other.

Collaboration Between Students

     One of the ways that students can collaborate with each other is described in the collaborators chapter of Sail the 7 Seas with Microsoft Education. One of the collaboration methods between students in this section is through Minecraft. Since Minecraft is such a popular game it is likely that students will already know how to use it, and if not the controls are intuitive and easy to learn. By using Minecraft students can communicate with each other and work together on projects at the same time. Unlike other methods of collaboration, students are more likely to effectively use Minecraft since there is an element of fun behind it.

Collaboration Between Educators

    Collaboration is not just for students, educators can also benefit greatly. One of the best ways for educators to collaborate with each other is through social media. Through the use of specific hashtags and by following other educators it is possible to collaborate with people from all across the world. On social media educators can collaborate on lesson plans and different ways of teaching a wide variety of students.

Collaboration: In and Out of the Classroom

As the world continues to grow, so too will the technology that inhabits it. As a society, we must learn how to utilize the technology we live alongside to its maximum extent. This includes of course, how we utilize technology in the classroom. We can use the technologies at our disposal to increase collaboration between students, allowing them to work together and work alongside each other in ways that can benefit their education. Collaboration in the classroom is more than just forcing students to work together, but instead giving them access to tools that can help them work together in more efficiently and in greater capacity. It is uber important for us to teach our students how to collaborate and how to collaborate effectively because "there are very few jobs that don't require some degree of collaboration"(Sail the 7 Cs  with Microsoft Education, collaborators chapter). The question that remains is.. How? How can educators introduce collaboration to their classroom and their students? 

For students, collaboration in the classroom likely stems from their teachers, so it is crucial that their teachers bring proper and adequate collaboration to the classroom. In a way, collaboration should be instilled as a classroom culture. From day one, collaboration needs to be made the norm, not just an occasional event. Students should always be working together, whether in groups or online. The question now becomes, well, collaboration in the classroom is rather straightforward, but how can students collaborate out of the classroom? This is where the great advances in technology come in, and all educators have to do is harness it. Here are some examples of tools that can be used to heighten collaboration outside of the classroom: OneNote, a digital notebook; Social Media, which can be used to allow students to interact with each other, within school contexts of course; Microsoft Teams, which can create an online, away from school class where students can operate without the binds of class time and fully on their own.  

It is important for educators to grant their students the ability to collaborate, as it is a crucial skill necessary throughout their entire lives. Educators must also utilize tools properly, and that requires work outside of the classroom for them too. However, should teachers create the opportunities, students will surely react positively, as humans love to work together. As the world continues to grow and adapt, so too will the technologies inhabiting it, and educators must continue to stay up to the task of being capable of utilizing these tools to the benefit of their students. 

Collaboration Through Media

Education is always powerful for growth and inspiration, but in recent years, technology has taken it to new heights. With an expanding world of media outlets and educational resources, teachers now have so many ways to enrich their lesson plans and make learning more dynamic and engaging for their students. As educators embrace these new tools, students are also empowered to take ownership of their learning and dive deeper into their subjects.

In Sail the 7 Cs by Becky Keene and Kathi Kersznowski, the authors dive into the impact of media and technology through education and in any workplace necessary to benefit from these tools. In Chapter 2, the focus is on collaboration, and one tool that stands out for facilitating this process is Microsoft Teams. Teams offers an easy way to share and consume media through video, audio, and file sharing in a collaborative space.

A great example provided in the chapter discusses how two people might collaborate on a PowerPoint presentation. Tools like Google Docs let users see changes made in real-time, but communication still relies on emails or text messages, which can lead to delays of hours or even days when trying to reach a consensus. However, Microsoft Teams allows group members to work on their slides, see each other's changes in real-time, and communicate instantly using Teams audio feature. This means decisions can be made and revisions discussed right away, cutting down the time it would typically take to reach an agreement and/or completion.

With tools like Microsoft Teams, collaboration is no longer confined to slow, drug out communication. Instead, educators and students alike can experience more efficient interactions that enhance learning and creativity. It’s clear that technology, when used appropriately, can be extremely beneficial in growing how we learn and work together. 

There are many other incredible media platforms that provide collaborative learning in education. Social media networks like X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and others provide opportunities for connecting with like-minded individuals. These platforms enable people to share, discuss, and learn from one another. What I find particularly valuable about these media sources is that, when you're stuck on lesson plans, projects, or any other challenge, you can easily reach out for guidance, ideas, and advice.

 

Flexible Seating in the Classroom

Hello Reader, 

As I approach the end of my time in college and my studies in education I have learned the importance that inclusivity plays in the classroom. I read a page from the edtech book, Inclusive Learning 365, and stumbled upon page 12 strategy 12 titled, “Providing Learning Spaces with Flexible and Kinesthetic Seating Surfaces.” From first hand experience I can vogue the importance of flexible seating for learners as well as providing kinesthetic seating surfaces. In the education world we are so past the idea that every student needs to sit at a desk. I have seen students sit in bean bags, on cushions and even on yoga balls. 

As educators all we want is our students' success and this is one way to support that. It is important to know your students and their needs so that they can have the best possible outcomes even if that means allowing a student to complete a task on the floor. On page 12 it was stated that “learners who are practicing to regulate attention may find they can maintain focus longer while their body is involved in spontaneous motor movements,” (Bugaj, 2021). Some students crave constant stimulation through movement and it is important to give those students the opportunity to do so. This can be through the type of seating a child is given like a swivel or even a yoga ball to bounce in. 

As we progress as educators we have learned many different strategies and different necessities students need. Learning isn’t one size fits all and in this modern day we have recognized that. Just like there are visual and auditory learners there are learners who thrive off movement. Allowing for changes in the classroom such as specialty seating and beyond can help set students up to reach their full potential, but the students can’t get there on their own. It is up to you as an educator to make those adjustments for your students. Recognize their strengths within the classroom and implement tools such as kinesthetic flexible seating to help meet their needs, and help students thrive. 

Meditation Practices

Anxiety can significantly affect a learner’s ability to focus and engage with their studies, particularly when faced with tight deadlines, group pressures, or the balancing act between academics and other life responsibilities. These stressors can create an environment where students feel overwhelmed, which in turn impedes their learning experience. However, one promising method to help manage anxiety is meditation. Meditation practices, such as those offered through apps like Headspace for Educators, provide students with tools to identify, regulate, and cope with stress. These applications offer a variety of techniques, including guided meditations, quick workouts, and group activities, that support learners in achieving a sense of calm and emotional wellness.

By promoting social-emotional wellness, meditation allows students to manage their stress levels, which can improve their ability to focus on learning. This process is beneficial for any learner, regardless of their individual struggles with anxiety. When students use these applications and reflect on their experiences, they begin to develop a greater sense of self-awareness and resilience. Teachers and educators can foster this growth by introducing these practices into their classrooms, helping students to not only learn academic content but also build emotional intelligence and coping strategies that will serve them throughout their lives.

To gauge the effectiveness of meditation on reducing anxiety, an extension opportunity could involve inviting students to reflect on their emotional state before and after a meditation session. A simple feedback system, like a rating scale with visuals, could be used to measure changes in anxiety levels. This feedback would allow students to track their progress and give educators insight into the impact of mindfulness practices in their classrooms. Through this reflection, educators can refine their approach to meditation-based interventions, ultimately enhancing students' ability to manage stress and stay focused on their learning objectives  (Inclusive Learning 365, pg 310).

Welcome to Our Class Blog: Web Tools for Global Learners

 Dear Students,

Welcome to the start of an exciting journey in our course, Web Tools for Global Learners! This blog will serve as a collaborative space where we explore, share, and reflect on innovative tools and strategies that empower global education. Think of this platform not just as an assignment hub but as a growing repository of ideas that you and your peers can continue to reference and expand upon, even beyond this course. Educators all over the world have their students blog as reflective practice and to show off their creations to a wider audience. 

Your Role as a Contributor
As pre-service teachers, your voice has immense potential to inspire and inform. Each blog post you create will be a valuable resource—not only for your fellow classmates but for other educators seeking fresh, effective ways to integrate web tools into their teaching. By sharing our insights, reflections, and curated resources, you’re contributing to a larger conversation about global learning and digital pedagogy.

What Makes a Great Blog Post?
For every blog post, you will be assigned a specific topic. Here are some key elements to keep in mind as you craft your entries:

Informative and Engaging: Write in a way that educates and motivates your audience. Share your unique perspective while maintaining a professional tone.

Link to Resources: Include at least two links to reputable, high-quality resources. These could be articles, lesson plans, tools, or research studies related to your topic. Always ensure your links are relevant and add value. You can see I have added some links below.

Use Copyright-Free Images: Visuals enhance your posts and make them more engaging. Use only copyright-free images, and be sure to provide proper attribution when necessary. Websites like Unsplash, Pixabay, Canva, and Wikimedia Commons are great starting points. I created this image in Canva. 

Reflective Thinking: Go beyond surface-level descriptions. Reflect on how the tools or strategies you’re discussing can make an impact in a global learning context.

Why This Matters
As educators in the 21st century, it’s crucial to think critically about the tools we use and how they align with educational goals. Your blog posts are an opportunity to model the ISTE Standards for Educators and demonstrate the skills needed to inspire students and foster a culture of global collaboration. As I was learning, I leaned heavily on other educators in my PLN to learn about the latest classroom tools and best approaches for use. Blogging and reading other teacher's blogs helped me to hone my practice as an educator. 

Let’s Get Started
I encourage you to approach each assignment with curiosity and creativity. Your contributions will help us build a vibrant and resourceful community of learners. Feel free to comment on each other’s posts, ask questions, and share feedback. Together, we’ll make this blog a dynamic and valuable learning space for all.

Here’s to a great semester of learning, sharing, and growing as global educators! Let’s make it count.

Michelle Wendt, Instructor, Web Tools for Global Learners