Vermont FWSU District Schools Connect with the World Through IVECA

Georgia Elementary School teacher, Ms. Sullivan is preparing to start the IVECA Live Class with her partner school teacher Ms. Yoon at Charmsam Elementary School in South Korea

GEMS Students Connect with Classrooms in South Korea June 4, 2013 (from FWSU district’s official blog)

Target 1 – Student-Centered Learning FWSU students will engage in personalized learning involving collaborative inquiry, problem solving and creative learning opportunities.

Action Step –  Increase easily accessible opportunities for global collaboration for teachers and students

Last night at Georgia Elementary and Middle Schools (GEMS) students from three fourth grade classrooms culminated a three-month international virtual exchange with three classrooms in South Korea. The program was sponsored by IVECA (The Center for International Virtual Schooling). IVECA is non-profit organization that is committed to promoting cultural competence in schools all over the world…

“Our experience with IVECA has been a great success! Students were engaged, motivated, and excited about their learning. EVERY student established a lead role with their counterpart and took on new roles and responsibilities while communicating weekly. Smiles, laughter, and joy filled our fourth grade classrooms as they communicated across the world with their new friends.” – Principal Steve Emery

Read full stories about: Georgia Elementary and Middle Schools’ experience here and Bellow Free Academy’s here.

Virtual Schooling Connects Children in Carmel & Korea

Eric Gross

….. Jung explained that her group was dedicated to connecting K-12 classrooms in order to promote “global collaborative learning by supporting educators and allowing them to engage in 21st century globalized learning, while assisting children in both developed and developing countries to share quality education together through an intercultural virtual exchange.”

Both Pinkerton (principal) and Constantinides (4th grade teacher), veteran educators, described the program as being exceptional. “Talk about global learning! What a great way to conclude your ‘senior’ year in elementary school” said Pinkerton.

Constantinedes agreed: “My kids haven’t been as excited all year as they are tonight. Interacting with others their own age half way around the world about topics ranging from music, habits, art and hobbies to American and Korea historical heroes is something they will always remember.”

Nine-year-old Megan Young and Jonathan Schanil enjoyed the moment. “ This is totally cool.” Said Megan while Jonathan added, “My dad never had anything like this when he attended this school.”

The full story will be available at Putnam County Courier News. Press release in Korea: http://www.ihopenews.com/news/15773

IVECA Establishes Partnership with Bhutan Ministry of Education Intercultural Virtual Exchange

IVECA has signed on MOU with Bhutan Ministry of Education for globalizing the public school education of Bhutan through Intercultural Virtual Exchange. This relationship has been initiated through the joint-project, Intercultural Exchange Programs for Environmental Leadership, with Green Across the Pacific (GATP). GATP is a non-profit organization dedicated to “providing physical exchange programs to improve cultural and environmental awareness and cooperation around the world.”

IVECA plans to provide virtual exchange program on any subject areas including environmental studies throughout the semesters and for any levels of schools including the schools in remote areas. GATP will design physical exchange program on environmental studies that will be offered during vacations for high schools in Vermont and Bhutan.

Both organizations are partnered to provide a program for teens in Vermont and Bhutan in a cooperative effort to address some of the world’s most intractable environmental challenges by developing intercultural and environmental skills and fluency. This will be accomplished through fully integrated virtual and physical exchanges. IVECA and GATP expect students to think systemically about the political, cultural, scientific and economic implications of environmental policy.

The goal is to encourage life long connections and a sense of responsible and insightful global citizenship. IVECA and GATP plan to invite more schools in diverse countries in 2013.