Blog on Respectful and Ethical Minds

http://educationismylife.com/flattening-classrooms-and-engaging-minds-with-global-education-an-interview-with-vicki-davis-and-julie-lindsay/

Reflect on the interview with Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay and post a blog entry that shares an idea you have implemented, or recently discovered, that fosters collaboration and helps to develop students’ respectful and ethical minds. 

         After watching the interview with Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay, I learned about how to implement and create a global classroom and flat classroom project. I never heard of this kind of project before and it was very interesting to see the structure of the project, the benefits of it, and the connections it makes with many standards across all grade levels. I specifically was interested in the K-2^nd grade flat classroom project that the co-founders were discussing since I’m an elementary art teacher. The only problem I have with this kind of project is the time frame. Unfortunately, I see my classes once a week for 40 minutes and to spend 10-12 weeks, as the co-creators have mentioned in the interview, on one flat classroom project might be way too long.

        Instead, something that I think is very similar to flat classroom project and takes less time that I recently discovered and started to implement is the Skype education program with my art classes. For example, when I introduced my unit of weaving and fiber arts this year to second grade classroom, I connected with a classroom in Peru where students were able to interact though video Skype and ask unit questions about weaving and fiber arts.  Both classrooms not only learned from each other but also were able to gain respect for each others cultures and traditions. They were also able to have an ethical mind due to seeing the value and importance of hard work and labor for weaving in Peru and other South American countries. I think projects like the Skype and Flat classroom project are so important and enriching for our students because it not only helps them have that respectful and ethical mind but also see and learn from the world around them who may never be able to travel or see it on their own.  

      As teachers, it is our job and duty to be the leaders to provide, teach, and inspire our students with these kinds of digital media tools so they can become well-rounded students and not egocentric citizens of America.

Citations: 

"Flattening Classrooms and Engaging Minds" with Global Education: An interview with Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay (Education Is My Life) Retrieved from http://educationismylife.com/flattening-classrooms-and-engaging-minds-with-global-education-an-interview-with-vicki-davis-and-julie-lindsay/

Skype in the classroom (Projects) Retrieved from https://education.skype.com/