“Global Challenge: Save the World on your Way to College”
Learning and Leading with Technology/November 2007
By David Gibson and Susan Hull Grasso
This article summarizes an innovative way for students all over the world to collaborate on global issues that affect us all through the use of technology and a contest called The Global Challenge. This is a contest put on by the National Science Foundation ITEST (Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers). The article profiles 4 contestants; Brian and Rudhi are high school students from the US who pair up with Meghna and Pranav, a couple of students from India. They are attempting to work on a viable solution in reference to the problem of Co2 emissions in transportation. The solution needs to apply science, technology, engineering, and math. They share ideas, conduct research and develop a business plan to forward that goal. The technology that they use is Skype, which is a file sharing application for meetings and eFolio, which is an electronic portfolio application used to share collaborative artifacts. They can assess and leave comments for each other’s work using efolio and based on the established rubric. The program also offers mentoring assistance. They all conduct the research and contribute ideas, but they will draw on each other’s strengths by further specialization. Meghna is interested in cell biology and science writing. Pranav like physics. Rudhi prefers to work on sustainability issues, while Brian enjoys working on the economic issues. Their varied interests and strengths can lead to a greater range of ideas while brainstorming and can result in a better overall project. They also learn the importance of team dynamics and working through differences.
Teachers can get involved at various levels depending on how much time they are able to commit. Involvement opportunities include: becoming a mentor, using these types of teaching units in their own classes as well as making use of the websites and other resources, or by helping create team challenges. These types of issues are complex and we need to go beyond conventional thinking to create solutions. This presents an opportunity to put our heads together even if we’re across oceans from each other.
Questions
1. This is a great way to share ideas and work together towards a solution to a problem. How can this same idea be modified for the upper elementary grades?
I think they can start small and start pen-paling with children from other countries and then move on to a group discussion online and then on to a solution based project, but much less complex, so they can build up their skills. That way, when they reach high school age, they will be more prepared to participate in a contest such as this one. Exploravision is a similar contest held at the elementary level, but it involves only US entries.
2. How would you, as a mentor, deal with the differing cultural attitudes and work styles in this program? I think it’s important to educate the students on cultural differences prior to the start of the project as soon as they know whom they will be working with. Even minor issues like terminology and slang should be addressed. This should increase understanding between cultures and help the project to progress more smoothly.
Learning and Leading with Technology/November 2007
By David Gibson and Susan Hull Grasso
This article summarizes an innovative way for students all over the world to collaborate on global issues that affect us all through the use of technology and a contest called The Global Challenge. This is a contest put on by the National Science Foundation ITEST (Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers). The article profiles 4 contestants; Brian and Rudhi are high school students from the US who pair up with Meghna and Pranav, a couple of students from India. They are attempting to work on a viable solution in reference to the problem of Co2 emissions in transportation. The solution needs to apply science, technology, engineering, and math. They share ideas, conduct research and develop a business plan to forward that goal. The technology that they use is Skype, which is a file sharing application for meetings and eFolio, which is an electronic portfolio application used to share collaborative artifacts. They can assess and leave comments for each other’s work using efolio and based on the established rubric. The program also offers mentoring assistance. They all conduct the research and contribute ideas, but they will draw on each other’s strengths by further specialization. Meghna is interested in cell biology and science writing. Pranav like physics. Rudhi prefers to work on sustainability issues, while Brian enjoys working on the economic issues. Their varied interests and strengths can lead to a greater range of ideas while brainstorming and can result in a better overall project. They also learn the importance of team dynamics and working through differences.
Teachers can get involved at various levels depending on how much time they are able to commit. Involvement opportunities include: becoming a mentor, using these types of teaching units in their own classes as well as making use of the websites and other resources, or by helping create team challenges. These types of issues are complex and we need to go beyond conventional thinking to create solutions. This presents an opportunity to put our heads together even if we’re across oceans from each other.
Questions
1. This is a great way to share ideas and work together towards a solution to a problem. How can this same idea be modified for the upper elementary grades?
I think they can start small and start pen-paling with children from other countries and then move on to a group discussion online and then on to a solution based project, but much less complex, so they can build up their skills. That way, when they reach high school age, they will be more prepared to participate in a contest such as this one. Exploravision is a similar contest held at the elementary level, but it involves only US entries.
2. How would you, as a mentor, deal with the differing cultural attitudes and work styles in this program? I think it’s important to educate the students on cultural differences prior to the start of the project as soon as they know whom they will be working with. Even minor issues like terminology and slang should be addressed. This should increase understanding between cultures and help the project to progress more smoothly.
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