Pen Pals Without Borders: Global Communication





The global connection resource that I had discovered is so much more than just a pen pal, it is an exchange between classes that connects one another to build empathy between individuals, cultures, traditions and much more. Kind Healthy snack Founder and CEO mission were to create diversity, inclusion, and empathy to be an important character trait. He launched Empatico, a digital platform that has given classrooms the opportunity to learn from one another. I learned about this resource from Jacqui Murray, a technology teacher that has published hundreds of teacher’s resources on her blog

What is the need? 

What is needed for Empatico is a computer with a camera, engaged and excited students who are willing to participate and collaborate with other students to solve problems of today, tomorrow and the future. Using technology promotes teamwork and allows students to collaborate on projects linking each other’s ideas.

A problem you are trying to solve

Unfortunately, most schools use technology and the internet to find information or the wrong way. What I want to work towards is to encourage this shift of control from the teacher at the center of the classroom to children collaborating with one another and using multiple technology resources to share ideas and knowledge to one another. 
  Why this is important for the future classroom
It is so important for students to collaborate with one another across the world because it allows classrooms from different parts of the world to see and hear them in real time. Collaboration is a skill student need to learn how to do especially working with students of diverse backgrounds. It also helps spread cultural awareness by connecting with others from around the world. Competent intercultural communication creates a strong global partnership. With this in mind, it encourages diversity, increases academic and social achievement. It takes one global connection and diverse learning opportunities beyond four walls of a classroom to create this strong bond.

 Show what you have experimented with

I have not personally experienced Empatico in my classroom, but students are able to spend time on a particular area and learn specifically about something that is working on or want to learn more of. Students can share presentations, students are able to communicate with one another regularly through social media, videos, photos, and audio recorded messages. These interpersonal connections allow students to create diverse positive experiences and learn different perspectives and improve perceptions of culture, country, and lifestyle. Students are able to describe their lifestyle and tell childhood stories.

I would apply it in my classroom

There is a great need for students to be able to empathize with others, value diverse perspectives, and cultures. Also, it is important for students to learn about events around the world and learn how to solve problems. Many can be influenced by social media and individuals’ views on a given race, subject, or lifestyle. There are activities that offer guiding questions that encourage students to share personal information or stories during partner interactions, which can increase trust and empathy between classes. What I loved about this resource is that there is a “me too” hand signal for partner students to easily identify their similarities. This creates a friendship bond.

Explain how you would have student’s start using it

Before students experience Empatico, I would teach lessons about respectful communication skills, perspective talking skills, cooperation skills, and allow students to role-play specific examples to learn.  The ability to actively listen and communicate respectfully with others can help students have a meaningful experience with their partner classroom and deepen the learning of their partner’s culture. Students can practice telling stories aloud and practicing active listening, taking turns, and respectfully responding to their classmates’ stories

Describe a lesson you would teach with this

When teaching a unit on weather, I would connect with a classroom at another part of the world for students to learn about the weather. Weather plays a huge role in how we experience the world, challenges of weather, how we feel. and spend our time. In the lesson, I would have students discuss and sort pictures of weather, record weather, discuss how we respond to the weather and its challenges. Students will create a video and share with the other classroom. Students will be able to categorize different kinds of weather and discuss the impact on the weather on individuals, Students can create their own weather report (use the green screen app Do Ink too)
Some trouble one may come across is with caregivers. 
I believe you will have some families that are concerned with their child talking to other students that they have not personally met. Some caregivers may discriminate on diverse individuals and cultures base off of past historic. The lessons do not correlate with the standard, but all the components of a great lesson are included.

 How this relates to the wider philosophy of teaching

Empatico helps students discover what life is like for other peers around the world. It’s a great experience for students to work with one another and learn from the individuals’ experiences as opposed to an article. I believe that when a child at a young age have early positive experiences with diverse types of people, this helps create positive perceptions of diverse cultures and people later in life.



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