Announcements

Are You Ready to Tread Lightly?
Tread Lightly is a climate change education and engagement program that provides free online tools and resources to educators seeking to engage students in reducing their ecological footprints. Based on the success of the first year, the Staples Foundation for Learning has generously renewed funding for the program, making it possible to translate the content into eight additional languages and reach many more countries. The teacher's toolkit is currently downloadable in English and French and will be available in additional languages in January 2011. For more information, visit www.treadlightly.me or contact info@treadlightly.me.


Video Conferencing Program Launched!
TIG is pleased to announce that we have formalized our partnership with the Centre for Global Education (TCGE), based out of Alberta, Canada, in order to jointly offer 6 international video conferences over the 2010-2011 school year. Scheduled around related internationally recognized days, these events engage students from countries around the world in learning about a wide range of global issues, including mental health, HIV/AIDS, climate change, international development, and tobacco use.

Teachers, students, and mentors first connect online in TIGed virtual classroom communities to gain a basic understanding of the issues at hand and get acquainted with each other before meeting face-to-face in the culminating video conference. All conferences are highly interactive and require a varying degree of commitment. In order to be an active participant in any video conference, schools need access to H. 323 compatible video conferencing technology (such as that offered by Polycom, Tandberg, Sony, Xmeeting, etc.).

For information about international student video conferences, please contact videoconferencing@takingitglobal.org and/or visit http://tcge.tiged.org/.


GYCA Project Management e-course
The Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA) is pleased to announce the start of its fall e-course program. Through a partnership with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, GYCA is able to offer pilot e-courses in Spanish and French, making use of the translated curriculum for the first time! The project management e-course will run in French at the end of October. For more information on the e-course program, please don't hesitate to e-mail lindsay@gyca.org.

New Additions to the TIGed Team
TIGed is pleased to welcome Andy Tran, Ellen Martin, Jamilla Mohamud, and Zachary Norris to the team. Each will be working hard to expand and improve TIGed.

Andy Tran - TIGed Marketing and Promotions Coordinator (outreach@tiged.org)
Andy is spreading the word about TIGed by reaching out to more schools and organizations, and working with Brian to come up with creative ways to engage the community. He would love to hear your thoughts on how to make TIGed the premier hub for collaboration, participation, and inspiration!

Ellen Martin - TIGed Resource Development Assistant (ellenm@takingitglobal.org)
Ellen is working to update and expand the Ayiti thematic classroom and related resources, and to integrate existing Ayiti lesson plans into a comprehensive accompanying teacher toolkit. She is also reviewing the TIGed Activities Database to ensure that all its global education resources are as useful as possible to TIGeducators.

Jamilla Mohamud - TIGed Program Assistant (education@takingitglobal.org)
Jamilla is working to provide guidance and assistance to TIGeducators, and to update and expand the TIG Xpress HIV/AIDS thematic classroom.

Zachary Norris - Video Conferencing Coordinator (videoconferencing@takingitglobal.org)
Zachary is working to support the planning, promotion, implementation and overall success of the video conferencing program, run in conjunction with TCGE.

TIGed Site Improvements
We are pleased to announce the launch of the TIGed User's Manual - a practical, step-by-step guide designed to help you understand and utilize the TIGed platform. It includes all you need to know to make the best of TIGed's community, resources, and virtual classroom spaces. Download and explore the manual!.


TIGed Social Media Survey Contest Winner
A big thanks to all of those who participated in our Social Media Survey! We really appreciate you taking the time to contribute to our outreach research efforts. The respondent who was drawn at random to receive a free one-year premium virtual classroom license is Jodie Lightfoot! Congratulations Jodie!

Jodie is a graduate student at the University of British Columbia, currently researching social media strategies for higher education institutions. She will be sharing her knowledge and encouraging social media engagement with the members of the Faculty of Education through virtual classroom experiences. You can follow her adventures at http://lightfooted.ca and through Twitter @Lightfooted.


Follow TIGed on Twitter!
TIGed has joined Twitter! For all the latest in TIGed updates, ed tech news, and more, follow us by visiting http://twitter.com/TIGed.

Opportunities

TIGed e-Courses Coming Soon!
We are thrilled to announce that we'll soon be offering 2 accredited e-courses designed to build the capacity of educators in utilizing technology to facilitate rich global learning experiences. The first 4-week e-course will introduce participants to the fundamentals of global education while the second will provide participants will the practical tools and knowledge required to run successful international problem- and challenge-based learning projects. More updates will soon be available at www.tiged.org!


21st Century Digital Classroom National Video Challenge
The search is on for Canada's leading K-12 educators who embrace 21st century learning! Share your classroom success stories about how you engage and collaborate with your students using digital technology to enhance student success, and qualify to win one of three classroom technology packages for your school! Hurry, the contest closes December 17 2010! Share your story today! Visit www.mindsharelearning.com for more details!

TIGed in the Media

Media Planet, June 2010
TIGed was highlighted in the Media Planet Educational Resources Supplement, distributed through the National Post in Canada this summer.

Leadership for Student Activities Magazine, October 2010
TIGed was featured in an article within the latest issue of the (US) National Association of Student Councils' Leadership for Student Activities magazine, focused on "Virtual Versatility."

SHINE Magazine, September 2010
Technology spurs students into global action
This article written by Silverton Primary School principal Tony Bryant shares the journey of teachers and students participating in the DeforestACTION program that TakingITGlobal and Microsoft Partners in Learning have been facilitating. Silverton students have been learning about the effects of palm oil production and writing letters to companies to demand better labelling practices.

MindShare Learning, July 2010
Robert Martellacci interviewed TIG members Jennifer Corriero, Katherine Walraven, Danish Ajmeri, and Brian Leung after arriving at the Toronto Pearson International Airport from the ISTE 2010 Conference in Denver, Colorado.

Upcoming Events

Pearson's 2010 Social Studies Virtual Conference
October 18-29, Online

This free web-based conference offers opportunities to attend live presentations, learn about new products, and network with your peers. TIG will be facilitating presentations on the 19th and 21st, and have a presence on the virtual trade show floor.

Technology and Learning (T+L) Conference
October 19-21, Phoenix, USA

Presented by the National School Boards Association's Technology Leadership Network, the theme of this year's T+L Conference is "Innovation Delivered." TIG co-founder and Executive Director Jennifer Corriero will be at the conference as the Showcase Luncheon Speaker on the 21st, discussing how to support students as change-makers with the support of technology tools. Advance registration is required for the luncheon, so act now!

The Leaders in Action for Education Summit (CLASE 2010)
October 25-27, Mexico City, Mexico

CLASE 2010 is a joint initiative of the Social Commitment for Quality in Education and the Educational Promotion and Research Institute that aims to bring about a new paradigm for educational debate in Mexico. TIGeducator Jennifer Klein will be representing TIG at the event, coordinating a plenary session on the evolving role of 21st century teachers and co-facilitating a round-table discussion focused on didactic-based virtual communities.

Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Education Forum
October 27-29, Cape Town, South Africa

The centerpiece event of Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program, the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum brings together more than 500 teachers, school leaders, press and education thought leaders from more than 75 countries who are working to more effectively employ technology in teaching and learning. TIG is pleased to be at the event to announce an exciting new initiative! Stay tuned for updates!

Tools & Toys Technology in Education Conference
October 28-29, Toronto, Canada

Organized by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation with support the the Ontario Ministry of Education, this two-day event offers delegates a wide spectrum of workshops about the impact and use of technology. Don't miss TIGed's workshop, "Take Your Classroom Global," on the 29th, facilitated by Andy Tran.

MindShare Learning 21st Century Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit
November 2, Toronto, Canada

Join fellow education and industry leaders for this one-day unique Summit opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from leading experts, network and re-define Canada's Digital blueprint to ensure our future leaders succeed in the 21st century global knowledge-based economy. TIG's co-founder and Executive Director, Jennifer Corriero, will be among the keynote speakers.

Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO) Conference
November 11-12, Richmond Hill, Canada

Now in its 31st year, the annual ECOO conference features over 200 presentations by educational computting leaders and local experts. If you plan on attending the conference, be sure not to miss the three sessions facilitated by TIG staff!

Global Education Conference
November 15-19, Online

Sponsored by Elluminate, this completely free and online event is a collaborative and world-wide community effort to significantly increase opportunities for global education activities and initiatives. There is no formal registration required, and the session schedule, which will include sessions about TIG and TIGed, will be posted in early November.

The Quest for Increased Student Achievement: Engaging Learning in the 21st Century
November 17-19, Toronto, Canada

Find out how colleagues at home and abroad are forging new engagement strategies, stimulating curiosity and igniting passion with techniques and technologies that promise to expand and reshape the meaning of lifelong learning. TIG will have a resource display on the 17th, so be sure to stop by and say hello!


AIDS in Africa: A Global Response
December 1, Online

In recognition of World AIDS Day, TIG and TCGE are organizing an international student video conference that explores issues related HIV/AIDS, with particular focus on the Africa continent. To get involved, please email videoconferencing@takingitglobal.org.

Flat Classroom Conference
February 25-27, Beijing, China and Online

The Flat Classroom Conference brings students and educators together to envision the future of education while utilizing leading social media tools. TIG is supporting the event by facilitating pre-conference presentations online and coordinating virtual participation. So, if you can't make it to China, TIG will help to ensure you don't miss out! If you are planning on attending, please note that early bird registration is available until October 15!

Reminders

Don't forget to add your collaboration details!
Do you have specific ideas for how you'd like to work together with other educators on TIGed? Share your collaboration details by visiting TIGed's 'Community' page and imputing your ideas. Your details will be featured alongside your name in search results.

Wrap Up

If you like what you've read don't keep it all to yourself! Please share this email with colleagues and friends in education, or direct them to our TIGed blog at http://www.tigblog.org/group/tiged.

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