Intro to Global Project-Based Learning

The second cycle of TIGed's professional development e-courses is underway, with "Introduction to Global Education" in progress and "Introduction to Global Project-Based Learning" open for registration. Beginning October 26th, this accredited e-course is designed to support teachers in using technology to in facilitate inter-disciplinary transformative global education projects that empower students as agents of change. Here's what some past participants had to say about it:

"This course emphasized the need for keeping things real, relevant and connected to others beyond students' immediate school community. The tools available to extend and connect more freely are also causing me to rethink how I might engage students further."

"[It] helped me to understand how to teach global issues and why to teach them. It has given me ideas of resources and ways I can use the internet to help teach global issues."

For more information, and to register, please visit pd.tiged.org. Discounts are available for groups of 3 and 5, and educators based in Least Developed Countries may apply for tuition assistance. Reserve your spot today!

International Days

October 10 - World Mental Health Day

With mental health issues affecting so many young people, and stigma still remaining so prevalent, it is critical that schools are open spaces to discuss these issues. Check out TIGed’s newly launched Mental Health thematic classroom, a great resource for exploring mental health with your students.

October 16 - World Food Day

Since 1981, the UN has engaged the world in World Food Day to learn about food systems and commit to ending hunger. You can bring World Food Day into your classrooms by using TIGed’s free GRUB thematic classroom!

October 17 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Help your students to explore the nature of a global economy and aid efforts directed towards helping developing nations. You can use tools like TIG’s Guides to Action to encourage your students to recognize the power they have as youth and global citizens to make positive change.

October 24 - United Nations Day

Happy birthday to the United Nations! Learn all about the United Nations on their official site and consider running a mock UN conference in one of your classrooms to discuss important global issues such as conflict, environmental degradation, or poverty.

November 9 - World Inventor's Day

Let’s celebrate ideas! What has been the most important or positive invention for humankind? Weigh in here.

November 16 - International Day for Tolerance

Let’s embrace and celebrate our differences by exploring tigweb.org and connecting with TIG members from different countries and backgrounds.

November 17 - International Students' Day

International Students' Day is a global observance of student activism, and a time to celebrate students! Take the time to reflect on what student activism and engagement means to you. Share your thoughts through a blog post, and find other educators to share stories with through the TIGed Community page.

November 20 - Universal Children's Day

November 20th marks the adoption by the UN of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Take time on this day to explore young people’s rights with your students by reviewing TIG’s Child and Youth Rights issue page.

November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence against women and girls remains a problem of pandemic proportions around the world. Take time on this day to learn about and reflect on the ill treatment of females and demonstrate solidarity by talking openly with your students about gender based violence.

Tread Lightly Hosts Youth Environment and Education Forums

This October, educators and NGOs across Europe will have the opportunity to contribute to strengthening local environmental movements through a series of environmental forums organized by Tread Lightly. Young people, educators, and environmentalists will gather in Oslo, London, Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam to discuss pressing issues, formulate recommendations for the UN Rio+20 Earth Summit agenda, and learn how they can reduce their own ecological footprints through the Tread Lightly program.

Forums will bring together relevant stakeholders to gather input to feed into the drafting of the initial Rio+20 text, to be negotiated at the Earth Summit. For details on locations and times, email us at info@treadlightly.me or visit the following links with details for each city.

Oslo, October 4: www.tigurl.org/TLoslo
London, October 5: www.tigurl.org/TLlondon
Milan, October 14: www.tigurl.org/TLmilan
Paris, October 18: www.tigurl.org/TLparis
Amsterdam, October 21: www.tigurl.org/TLamsterdam

MindShare Learning’s 4th Annual 21st Century Classroom Video Challenge

TakingITGlobal and the Centre for Global Education are proud to partner with MindShare Learning for the launch of the 4th Annual 21st Century Classroom Video Challenge, which celebrates new thinking and new possibilities through the power of education technology. The search is on for Canada’s most tech savvy teachers! Share your classroom video story (maximum 5 minutes) on how you engage students through technology to support student success. Qualify to win one of three classroom technology packages valued at over ,000! Three Canadian regional winners (Western, Central and Eastern Canada) will be selected.

Join us for the online launch event on October 11th at 1pm (ET) live from Joyce Public School in Toronto. During the event, hear from last year's winning teachers who will share how they used innovative technology tools to support student success and share their best practices and tips for the challenge. To register for the launch event, please visit: www.tigurl.org/launch
To enter the contest, check out: www.mindsharelearning.ca/videochallenge.

Live DeforestACTION Online Event

Join this live web event to learn more about what is being done through the DeforestACTION initiative to protect and preserve forest ecosystems. Cathy Henkel, producer of the documentary Project Borneo 3D: 100 Days in the Jungle, will share her recent experiences filming in Indonesia. And the Eco Warriors will share stories of the Dayak communities, deeply affected by deforestation in Borneo, and how to empower the world to take DeforestACTION! There will also be some incredible updates and surprises!

The live event will take place on October 17th for Europe, Africa and the Middle East (London - 9am BST; Istanbul - 11am EEST) and on October 18th for North and South America (Edmonton - 10am MDT; Brasilia - 2pm BRT) and Asia Pacific (Delhi - 8am IST; Sydney - 1:30pm EST; Wellington - 3:30pm NZDT). Register to participate now!

Global Dignity Day

On October 20th, students around the world will participate in Global Dignity Day - a time to honour our interconnectedness and the intrinsic value of each individual. Through the sharing of personal stories and cooperative activities, youth will powerfully experience how they themselves, through even the smallest acts of kindness, can contribute to a more peaceful world. Learn more by checking out the Global Dignity Day overview presentation or the event website, and then register to participate!

District Administration Magazine

July 2011

TakingITGlobal's online community was mentioned as an example of online spaces for real problem-based learning in Will Richardson's article, "Solving Real Problems."

Pearson’s 2011 Social Studies Virtual Conference

October 17-20, Online

This free web-based conference offers opportunities to attend live presentations, learn about new products, and network with your peers. Join TIG for presentations on our virtual classroom platform and myWorld TIGed collaboration with Pearson Education.

Educational Computing Organization of Ontario (ECOO) Conference

October 20-22, Richmond Hill, Canada

Now in its 32nd 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 to catch one of several sessions facilitated by TIG staff, register for Minds on Media, and drop by our booth, shared with our friends at GreenLearning Canada!

Annual International Conference of the Association for Experiential Education

November 3-6, Jacksonville, USA

Now in its 39th year, the 2011 AEE international conference will bring together over 900 educators and practitioners from around the world to share ideas, network, build skills, and affect change! Don’t miss the TIGed e-course instructor Jennifer D. Klein’s professional development intensive, “Take Your Classroom Global: Developing Global Awareness and 21st Century Skills” on Sunday November 6th!

Global Education Conference

November 14-18, Online

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 facilitated by TIG staff, will be posted in early November.

The Quest for Increased Student Achievement

November 16-18, 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 16th, so be sure to stop by and say hello!

National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference

December 2-4, Washington, D.C., USA

The 91st NCSS Annual Conference is your opportunity to rejuvenate your teaching strategies and collaborate with some of the leaders in social studies education. TakingITGlobal staff will be in the exhibit hall with our friends at Pearson Education.