Learning Circles

Learning Circles

Barry S. Kramer, Ph.D. iEARN Global Learning Circles Coordinator

Margaret Riel, Ph.D.

Creator of the Learning Circles Project

The Global Learning Circles Project

Global Learning CirclesObjectives

• What Are Global Learning Circles?

• What Is the Schedule for Learning Circle?

• What Kind of Projects Are Found in Learning Circles?

• What Are the Educational Benefits of Learning Circles?

• How Do I Become a Participant?

• Teacher Testimonials

• What Is the Learning Circles Course?

Learning CirclesA Brief History

History of Learning Circles:

Margaret Riel1987-88 - Inter-Cultural Learning Network

1989-94 - AT&T Learning Network

1994-03 - iEARN Learning Circles Barry Kramer2004-2013 - iEARN Global Learning Circle Coordinator

A Learning Circle is a A Learning Circle is a model of distributed model of distributed

leadership where leadership where classrooms in different classrooms in different locations collaborate locations collaborate

around a set of projects around a set of projects related to a theme for a related to a theme for a

specified period of time to specified period of time to gain deeper knowledge gain deeper knowledge through collaborative through collaborative

publications.publications.

A Learning Circle is a A Learning Circle is a model of distributed model of distributed

leadership where leadership where classrooms in different classrooms in different locations collaborate locations collaborate

around a set of projects around a set of projects related to a theme for a related to a theme for a

specified period of time to specified period of time to gain deeper knowledge gain deeper knowledge through collaborative through collaborative

publications.publications.

Global Learning CirclesThe Learning Circles Model

Global Learning CirclesWhy Do Teachers Join Learning Circles?

LearningCircles

Meaningful Work For Students • Telecollaborative Project Work• Authentic Audiences for Students• Emphasis on Writing across the Curriculum• Focus on Multi-Disciplinary Themes• Project-based Learning• Support for Collaborative Learning • Connecting Learning to People, Places and Activities• Understanding the Values and Perspectives of Different Groups

LearningCircles

Global Learning CirclesWhat Are Learning Circles?

Cross-Classroom Collaboration To Create A Circle Publication• Group Investigations within Classrooms • Group Investigations across Classrooms

One of the best ways to learn something is to agree to teach it to someone else!

One of the best ways to learn something is to agree to teach it to someone else!

Global Learning CirclesWhat Are Teachers’ Expecting?

• Teachers are looking for a global education experience for their students

• Teachers are looking for theme-based project work they can integrate with their classroom curriculum

• Teachers want students to develop important interpersonal skills by working with other students from around the world

• Teachers want to professionally learn through interactions with other teachers

Global Learning CirclesSupport for Learning Circles

OverviewThe Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides a structural approach to promoting cross-classroom collaboration with telecommunications. The first chapter provides an overview. If you want to understand this model of online teaching and learning, it is a good place to begin

Global Learning CirclesThe Learning Circle Model

Learning Circle Partners (A Group of 6-8 Classes)• Grade Level Compatibility

• Geographic Diversity

• Common Timeline

• Task Coordination

• Responsibility to theGroup

• Individual Creativity

• Distributed leadership

Global Learning CirclesSample Project Groups

Places and Perspectives•Sousse, Tunisia•Kumasi, Ghana•Zarka, Jordan•Scarborough, Maine, United States •Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa•Kocaeli, Turkey•Slonim, Grodno, Belarus •Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada•Tinghir, Ourazazte, Morocco•Almetyevsk, Tatarstan, Russia •Ljubljana, Slovenia•Esigodini, Zimbabwe

My Hero Learning Circles•Batumi, Ajara, Georgia

•Thies, Senegal

•Jakarta, Indonesia

•Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru

•Manah, Oman

•Kharkov, Ukraine

•Kocevje, Dolenjska, Slovenia

•Medgidia, Constanta, Romania

•Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico

•Lynnwood, Washington, United States

•Taroudant, Souss Massa Draa, Morocco

•Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

•Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

•Baku, Azerbaijan

•Barrie, Ontario, Canada

•Mombasa, Coast Province, Kenya

•Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Global Learning CirclesManagement of Learning Circles

Management Options• In general, Elementary Circles are teacher led and managed.• The goal is for High School Circles to be student led and managed.• Middle School Circles are usually a mixture of both management

styles.

Elementary Circles

Teacher Managed

High School Circles

Student Managed

Middle School Circles

Teacher and Student Managed

Global Learning CirclesPhases of a Learning Circle (16 Weeks)

1. Getting Ready for Learning Circles

2. Opening the Learning Circle3. Planning the Learning Circle

Projects4. Exchanging Student Work on

Learning Circle Projects5. Organizing the Circle

Publication6. Closing the Learning Circle

Global Learning CirclesOpening the Circle

Classroom Survey (Online)1.About the Students

2.About the School

3.About the Community

Welcome Packs (Postal Mail and Virtual Welcome Presentations)Send whatever fits in a large envelope (pictures, brochures, drawings, symbols, etc.) that will tell others

1.Who you are?

2.What you look like?

3.What you like to do?

4.Where you live?

http://sites.google.com/site/suasmyhero/

Global Learning CirclesWelcome Packs

Global Learning CirclesBulletin Boards

Learning Circle Partners

Global Learning CirclesBulletin Boards

Learning Circle Partners

Global Learning CirclesThemes

Global Learning CirclesPlanning Circle Projects

Responsibility & Commitment

• Each Class as a team organizes or "sponsors" a project for the group

• Every class is responsible to send at least one response to the projects in their Learning Circle

Global Learning CirclesProject Idea Template

Learning Circle Group: Computer ChroniclesSponsoring Teacher: Barry S. KramerSponsor School: Franklin Township SchoolCity: Quakertown Country: USAName of Project: • Goal Of The Project:• Type Of Writing Requested:• Description Of What You Are Looking For From Other Schools:• Example: (Questions, Story Prompts)• Detailed Instructions For Collecting Information: • Ideal Number Of Submissions From Each School:• Preferred Length Of Articles:• Deadline For Receiving Information (Circle deadline is November 20, 2012):

Global Learning CirclesSample Project Idea

Holidays and CelebrationsIn the United States we enjoy celebrating holidays throughout the year. For our project idea we would like to know about some of your holidays, celebrations, customs, and traditions.

We would like you to choose one of the following topics and write a paragraph (or two) about the topic.•Choose a holiday and describe to us how you celebrate the holiday.•Is there a holiday that is unique to your country? Tell us about it.•Tell us about some of your minor holidays and how they are celebrated. When do they occur? How did they start?•Describe how your family celebrates a specific holiday. Do you have any family traditions that you practice every year?•If you could create a new holiday, which holiday would you choose? When would it be celebrated? How would it be celebrated?•If you could create a holiday that the entire world celebrated on one day, which holiday would you create? Why? When would it be celebrated?

The United Nations is starting a new museum dedicated to honoring heroes throughout the world in different areas such as angels, animals, artists, business, community, earthkeepers, explorers, faith, freedom, hero’s hero, lifesavers, literary, peacemakers, poets, scientists, sports, teachers, and writers. As a noteworthy and admired citizen, you have been asked to be on the nominating committee and have been requested to personally nominate two people. One person should be someone that you know personally and other person should be someone who you have not met personally, but admire because of his/her accomplishments and public image.

From your two choices you are asked to narrow your choice to one person and submit a convincing argument for your choice in the form of a written essay (that can include photographs), an original illustration, or a short media clip.

Global Learning CirclesMy Hero: Authentic Performance Task

Global Learning CirclesExamples of Learning Circle Projects

Places and PerspectivesElementary

Music and Traditions

Peace and a Better World

Problems of Young People

A Day at School

Weather and Seasons

Early Explorers

Animals in My Backyard

Mind WorksMiddle School

Circle Stories

Invention Convention

Place Poetry

Cultural Stories

Predictions 2020

Environmental Projects

Teen Tales

Local History Timeline

The View from My Window

Global IssuesHigh School

Gender Issues

Economic Issues

Global Education

Ozone and the Environment

Alternative Energy Ideas

City Life vs. Village Life

Students and Video Games

Life in the Future

Impact of ICT

Global Learning CirclesExchanging Student Work

Students...

• Research topics from other classes.

• Work with community resources.

• Learn to monitor goals on schedule.

• Develop strategies to encourage others to meet deadlines.

• Store & retrieve information with technology

Picture by Heather Davis

John Wayland Elementary School

Global Learning CirclesPublishing Projects - Print and Web

Students...

• Work with information, analyzing, comparing, and editing to create a final presentation.

• Use technical tools to create a final presentation.

• Accept responsibility for the work, making sure that all tasks are completed within a group timeline.

Global Learning CirclesTypes of Projects

Most Common Formats:

• Word Document

• PowerPoint Presentation

• Pdf file

• Website

• Blog

• Wiki

• Video: Quicktime, wmv

• Mp3

Global Learning CirclesSample Projects


Global Learning Circles Sample Projects



Global Learning CirclesUse of Web 2.0 Tools

Group Wikis


Project Blogs


Communication and Publishing Tools

Global Learning CirclesClosing the Circle

What Have Students Accomplished?

• Locate and Evaluate Information

• Research & Organize Ideas

• Creative Problem-Solving within a Team

• Understand Multiple Perspectives on Issues

• Develop Cooperative Learning Strategies

• Increase Self-Esteem and Confidence

• Accept Individual and Group Responsibility

• Use Technology Effectively

Global Learning CirclesSchedule for Learning Circles

Session 1 (September to January):Begins September 30th and ends in mid-January (16 weeks with a 2-week break in December). Learning Circle Placement forms are due by September 15th

Session 2 (January to May):Begins January 30th and ends in May (15 weeks with a 1-week break in Spring). Learning Circle Placement forms are by January 15th

Global Learning CirclesEducational Benefits

What Are the Benefits for Teachers?

• Enhances Student Learning• Develops Reading/Writing Skills• Enhances Teaching Curriculum• Stimulates Teacher Creativity • Expands Teaching and Learning Horizons• Integrates Computer and Telecommunications Technology

Global Learning CirclesFuture: 2013-2014

• More Use of Online Collaboration Tools• Skype• Eluminate

• Increased Use of Multimedia

• and Video• Expanded Use of iEARN Student Forums• Identification of Core Curriculum Standards• New Circle Themes

Global Learning CirclesMisconceptions

• We are not a social network

• Most of our student and teacher interaction is asynchronous

• We cannot guarantee that the other members of your Learning Circle will complete their commitment to the project

• We cannot make other schools communicate, participate, and interact

Learning Circles are only as strong as the commitment of the participants. We count on participating teachers to be professional, trustworthy, and honest. We also expect educators who enroll to honer their commitment.

Global Learning CirclesHow To Become a Participant

To join iEARN Learning Circles, you must first be a member of iEARN and complete an iEARN Learning Circle placement form two weeks before the beginning of the session. Once you complete the placement form you will be placed in a circle for the next session.

http://media.iearn.org/coursereglc

Global Learning CirclesTeacher Testimonials

150 to 200 teachers participate in Learning Circles each year. Some teachers participate for one session, others participate for both sessions.

Global Learning CirclesMore Information - www.iearn.org/circlesOnline Learning Circles- onlinelearningcircles.org

Barry S. Kramer

iEARN Global Learning Circles

[email protected]

http://www.iearn.org/circles

http://www.iearn.org/circles

http://sites.google.com/site/onlinelearningcircles

http://sites.google.com/site/onlinelearningcircles

Documents

Learning Circles