Global Collaboration for 21st. Century Educators
Abstract: Collaborative teaching and learning play an important role in the framework for a 21st Century education. Students in undergraduate education courses at an American university and an Australian university collaborate to compare and contrast their education programs. Also, the two groups examine the differences in diversity, teaching methods, and assessment practices. Students in the two-university collaboration utilize a variety of e-learn opportunities to communicate and cooperate. Using international email, Voice Thread, Google Tools, Skype, and wikis, students discussed, compared and even created aggregate presentations as they analyze the educational systems of the two countries. As a capstone, students at the American university celebrate a Global Collaboration Symposium where current teachers and students from partner public schools along with university faculty participate to commemorate this global learning initiative. Teacher education candidates share their learning experiences, newly acquired technology skills and increased cultural awareness of their global learning initiative through a variety of e-learning tools.