Darfur Debate, Cool Careers, Folktales + more from GNG Monday, August 31, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaboration, Distance Learning, Links, Videoconferencing.Tags: Darfur, flat world, Global Nomads Group, GNG, Nuclear Proliferation
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Global Nomads Group (GNG) offers 4 types of interactive videoconference programs that cover a range of academic themes. For full descriptions (plus cost of the programs) visit www.gng.org.
Here is what GNG has lined up for the Fall of 2009:
Darfur Debate for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12
on Tues. Sept. 15 and Thurs. Sept. 17
Environmental Refugees for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12
on Tues. Sept. 29 and Thurs. Oct. 1
Cool Careers for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12
on Fri. Sept. 18, Wed. Oct.14 and more
Virtual Science Expedition for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12
on Tues. Nov. 10, Tues. Nov. 24 and more
Folktales Around the World – New Project-Based IVC for Grades: 3-5
on Wed. Dec. 16
Nuclear Proliferation: A Case Study of North Korea for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12 on Tues. Oct. 6
U.S. Role in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12 on Tues. Nov. 10
Globalization and the Post-American Flat World for Grades: 7-8, and 9-12
from Sept. – Dec. 2009 at various times depending on location:
- Spain
- Morocco
- Ghana
- South Africa
- India
- Vietnam
- China
GNG’s Currents Videoconferences Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaborations, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: 21st Century, China, flat world, Ghana, Global Nomads Group, Hong Kong, India, Morocco, Semester at Sea, South Africa, Spain, Vietnam
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Travel around the globe with GNG as they hop on board the Semester at Sea ship. Students participation date varies.
TITLE: CURRENTS: Globalization and the Post-American / Flat World
THEMES: Global Development; Global Politics; Sustainable Communities
DATES: September- December
COST: $300 per session, or GNG Membership Price
CURRENTS is a joint project of Semester at Sea (SAS) and Global Nomads Group (GNG). From September – December 2009, SAS will embark on its historic 100th voyage. During this exciting shipboard expedition, GNG and SAS will collaborate to produce a series of documentaries as well live, open dialogue videoconferences between schools in the United States and schools and cultural sites around the world. Nations involved will include Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. The aim of the program is for youth participants to broaden their understanding of an increasing “flat world” in the 21st century through live, cross-cultural conversations on the manifold issues that relate to immigration and globalization. Hop aboard and join the adventure! The itinerary (subject to change) is as follows:
Cádiz
September
Cádiz, Spain
Casablanca, Morocco
Accra, Ghana
Chennai
October
Cape Town, South Africa
Port Louis, Mauritius
Chennai, India
Yokohama
November
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Hong Kong / Shanghai, China
Yokohama / Kobe, Japan
GNG’s Rapid Response Programs Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaboration, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Flickr Creative Commons, Global Nomads Group, Human Rights, Iraq, North Korea, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968, Nuclear Proliferation, Pakistan, Taliban
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GNG’s Rapid Response: On the ground emergency response from global “hot spots” such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the post-election crisis in Kenya. Students participation date varies.
TITLE: Conflict Minerals – The DRC
THEMES: Conflict and Human Rights; Global Development
DATE: October (specific dates and times will be set later)
Since 1998, more than 5.4 million men, women, and children have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo, primarily due to the consequences of its ongoing civil war. Students will be introduced to the challenges facing the DRC and learn to identify the root causes of its conflict and the humanitarian and environmental issues as a result of it.
TITLE: U.S.’ Role in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan (Commemorating Veteran’s Day on November 11)
THEMES: Conflict and Human Rights; Global Development; Global Politics
DATE: November (specific dates and times will be set later)
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq have become staples in our daily headlines. While Iraq is rebuilding its war-torn state, in the Swat Valley, a small territory sandwiched between Afghanistan and greater Pakistan, dozens of civilians are being reportedly killed each week in a fight against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban. What does the presence of U.S. troops in the hot beds of the Middle East and Central Asia mean for the future of global security?
TITLE: Nuclear Proliferation: A Case Study of North Korea
THEMES: Conflict and Human Rights; Global Development; Global Politics
DATE: December (specific dates and times will be set later)
The world has taken steps towards global disarmament – though encountering challenges along the way – since the signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968. Continued progress in this direction took a halt when last May, North Korea alarmed the world by announcing its second successful nuclear weapons test. In this two-part series, students will analyze the debates over nuclear proliferation.
GNG Fall Pulse Programs Monday, July 13, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaboration, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Darfur, Domestic Violence, Earth Science, Flickr Creative Commons, Global Development, global economic crisis, Global Nomads Group, Global Politics, global warming, Human Rights
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Global Nomads Group (GNG) has a very interesting line-up for 2009-2010. Since there is so much to report, we’re going to do it over a few blog posts (specific dates and times will be revealed later by GNG). First up (can you tell by my word choice that St. Louis has All-Star fever right now?): 2-PART PULSE PROGRAMS.
TITLE: Darfur Debate
THEMES: Conflict and Human Rights; Global Politics
DATE: September
The conflict in Darfur has reached well into its fifth year as hundreds of thousands of Darfuris have been killed and millions more have been displaced. How can this atrocity still continue despite the rallying cry against genocide heard around the world? Students will explore the roots of this conflict and what students can do NOW to influence the outcome of the 21st century’s first genocide.
TITLE: Global Warming and Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Floods, and Tornadoes, Oh, My!
THEMES: Earth Science; Global Development; Health and Well-Being
DATE: September
Natural disasters have long been part of history – however, with the frequent rate of such news splashing across our various media sources, there is looming debate over the increase of natural disasters crediting climate change and global warming as a critical cause.
TITLE: Domestic Violence: Global Perspectives – In Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
THEMES: Conflict & Human Rights; Global Development; Health & Well-Being
DATE: October
According to the American Institute of Domestic Violence, over $5.8 billion is spent each year to care for U.S. victims of domestic violence; 95% of whom are female. Domestic abuse amongst men is on the rise as well, although at much lower rates. What can be done to stop the cycle of violence before it even begins?
TITLE: Money Matters: The Global Economic Crisis: Putting Stock in the Markets?
THEMES: Global Development; Sustainable Communities
DATE: October
NEW Project-Based Learning Lesson Plan, Secondary Level
With glimmers of hope of global economic recovery, global stock and credit markets have somewhat recovered. However, there is a raging debate on whether there is real economic recovery or a government-engineered temporary reprieve from the unprecedented economic crisis the world has faced over the past twelve months. What really happened?
Top 5 Blog Posts for the Month Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Blogs, Classroom Technology, Distance Learning, Promethean Activboard, SMART Board, Videoconferencing.Tags: Activboard, Global Nomads Group, iPhone, iPod Touch, SMART Board Classes
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These blog posts on The Wired Classroom had the most traffic during the last 30 days:
- SMART Board Classes
- June 09 Global Nomads Group Videoconferences
- Motivate Students with Activboard Lessons
- Teaching Higher Order Thinking Skills in Elementary Classrooms with Spreadsheets
- iPhone and iPod Touch in classrooms
June 09 Global Nomads Group Videoconferences Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaborations, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Associated Press, Bryan Mealer, Civil War, Creative Commons, Democratic Republic of Congo, Flickr, Global Nomads Group, H1NI, Harold Varmus, Influenza, Kinshasa, Swine Flu, Sylvia Earle, U.N., WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, World Health Organization, World Science Festival
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From Global Nomads Group:
Though we are nearing the end of the school year, our work is not done. GNG will round out the 2008-2009 school year by rapidly responding to most recent headlines. We will be offering one last week of exciting programming in June: Rapid Response: The Democratic Republic of Congo and Swine Flu: Pandemic or Hysteria?. In addition, following the success of Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, the World Science Festival has offered another opportunity for students to get connected.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Rapid Response: The Democratic Republic of Congo
Since 1998, more than 5.4 million men, women, and children have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo primarily due to the consequences of its civil war (diseases, bloodshed, etc.). Just recently, the on-going conflict in the DRC has been splashed in the major headlines as the country is on the brink of another war. In this special PULSE series, students will be introduced to the challenges facing the DRC and learn to identify the root causes of its conflict and the humanitarian and environmental issues as a result of it. In addition, students will learn to celebrate the history and culture of the DRC and identify the ways to bring hope to its future.
Students will be joined by individuals and experts who have worked deep in the trenches of this conflict including: Bryan Mealer, author of “All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in the Congo.”
Mealer was the Associated Press staff correspondent in Kinshasa, Congo, and has reported from locations across the African continent, including Nairobi, Somalia, and Togo. His writing has appeared in Harper’s and Esquire, among others.
Tuesday, June 2 | High School: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EDT
Thursday, June 4 | High School: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM EDT
Cost: $300 per VC or membership price*
Mexico City
Swine Flu: Pandemic or Hysteria?
In the recent months, the outbreak of Influenza A virus subtype H1NI, also known as the Swine Flu captured the headlines as the effects of this virus spread across the globe. As reports of confirmed H1N1 cases steadily increased around the world, the UN’s World Health Organization responded by expressing concern over a potential world-wide flu pandemic, citing the outbreak at a “Phase 5” level of alert (out of 6). “In announcing the notching up of the alert level to Phase 5 last night, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said it was a signal to Governments and to the private sector that preparatory actions should now be undertaken with ‘extreme urgency’” (www.un.org). As a result, many schools have taken extra precautionary measures as seen through the number of schools closing where there are confirmed cases or in many scenarios, where there are suspected cases.
In this Rapid Response session, students will have the opportunity to share how H1N1 has affected their local community. As GNG reports live from NYC, with one of the highest confirmed numbers of cases in the US, students will learn about its effects first hand. Students will also delve deeper into the effects of H1N1 by speaking with an expert and learn how they can take better preventative measures against this influenza.
Friday, June 5 | Middle and High School: 11:00-12:00 PM EDT
Cost: $150 or membership price*
World Science Festival
Following a successful program featuring the filmmakers of Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist, the World Science Festival is excited to bring another opportunity for students to plug-in through Pioneers in Science!
On Thursday June 11, selected New York City High School students will interview Nobel laureate and co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Harold Varmus, and preeminent marine biologist, Sylvia Earle. Wherever you are in the world, you can be part of this event by submitting your questions for the scientists.
Submit questions for two Pioneers in Science! The World Science Festival may choose your question to ask at the Pioneers in Science live interview on June 11. Don’t forget to check back to watch video from the event!
GNG in Prime Time this Weekend! Friday, May 8, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Collaborations.Tags: Global Nomads Group, Twitter
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Making of a Scientist Videoconference Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing.Tags: Global Nomads Group, lab scientist, Periodic Table of Elements, Richard Rifkind, scientific discovery, Sloan Kettering Institute
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Global Nomads Group asks: when was the last time your students walked in the shoes of a real scientist? Or was engaged in the idea of a career in science? Or felt the Periodic Table of Elements come alive in the classroom?
“Most films show working scientists as lonely isolates, pathetic nerds, dangerous nuts, or pompous gurus. Viewers of Naturally Obsessed experience the world of research as it really is – a lively community of intensely curious, friendly and hardworking individuals engaged in the fascinating process of scientific discovery,” -Richard Rifkind, scientist turned filmmaker, Sloan Kettering Institute Chairman Emeritus
In partnership with the World Science Festival and ParnassusWorks film, students will have the opportunity to watch real scientists in action through viewing a documentary, Naturally Obsessed: the Making of a Scientist, a one hour documentary by Richard and Carole Rifkind. Mixing humor with heartbreak, the film tells a profoundly real yet intensely dramatic story about life in a molecular biology lab. During the videoconference session, students will speak with filmmakers and with a practicing lab scientist who worked on this project, to discuss their views and opinions about life in the science lab. This program would be ideal for high school science teachers who are looking to excite their students about careers in science.
THURSDAY, MAY 14 | Middle and High School: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM EDT| $150/ VC
To sign up, please contact Grace Lau at 212.529.0377.
Rapid Response: The Democratic Republic of Congo VC Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaboration, Videoconferencing.Tags: Civil War, conflict, cultural exchange, Democratic Republic of Congo, Global Nomads Group, Human Rights
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Over the past ten years, more than 5.4 million men, women, and children have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo primarily due to the consequences of its civil war (diseases, bloodshed, etc.). Just recently, the on-going conflict in the DRC has been splashed in the major headlines as the country is on the brink of another war. In this special PULSE series offered by Global Nomads Group, students will learn to identify the root causes of the conflict and the humanitarian and environmental issues as a result of it. In addition, students will learn to celebrate the history and culture of the DRC and identify the ways to bring hope to its future.
The PULSE is designed to give high school students a forum to deliberate some of the most challenging issues of our time with their peers around the nation and around the globe. By speaking with their peers in other cities, other states, other countries, they are able to come to a greater understanding of international issues and a greater appreciation for diverse beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.
Learning Objectives:
- Increase students’ interest in and understanding of the world and its people through dialogue
- Increase students’ understanding of particular issues by questioning experts and ability to analyze and form opinions on pressing international issues
Global Nomads Group provides the forum for this cultural exchange.
The success of the program for ALL schools hinges on your and your students’ level of preparation and engagement.
Day One:
Up to three participating schools meet and discuss the PULSE topic. A GNG moderator begins the conference by posing basic questions to the students (sent to teachers beforehand) to open up the dialogue. A GNG moderator continues to direct questions, facilitate the conversation among students and schools, and generally move the discussion along.
Day Two:
A GNG moderator introduces a guest speaker, an expert in the topic to be discussed. After the expert explains his/her background and involvement in the issue, we open up the conference to questions and answers. The moderator facilitates as students ask questions and engage in dialogue with the speaker.
Rapid Response: The DRC
Dates: TBD (4-part extended PULSE program)
Theme: CONFLICT AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Times: TBA Grades: 7-8, 9-12
Cost: $300 per VC or membership price*
GNG Videoconferences on Teen Health & Well-Being Worldwide Thursday, April 2, 2009
Posted by Rebecca Morrison in Classroom Technology, Collaboration, Distance Learning, Videoconferencing, Web 2.0.Tags: videoconference, Distance Learning, Global Nomads Group, peer pressure, Flickr Creative Commons, substance abuse, nutrition, asthma, HIV/AIDS, Stress, health
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Latest News from Global Nomads Group:
In partnership with Mercy Corps, Health Matters is an interactive, pilot educational videoconference program for high school students*. Through it, GNG will bring young people from the U.S. and the Middle East on a virtual journey that equips students with a cross-cultural perspective on matters vital to health and well being. Topic areas range from fitness to nutrition to public health and peer pressure. This program will complement what these students are already learning in their health, science and social studies classes. Students will discuss vital health issues together, along with GNG health correspondents, and learn about different health risks and attitudes in both the U.S. and the Middle East. As a result, young people will become inspired to actively involve themselves in sustainable, healthy lifestyles due a social action project.
Program Description*:
Health and well-being are fundamental to peace and prosperity, both on individual and collective levels. During adolescence, young people begin to encounter a wide range of risks to health and well-being that they will face into adulthood. However, they often do not have the tools and support to do so successfully. Complex health issues such as substance abuse and nutrition often have their roots in habits learned while young, while global health problems ranging from asthma to HIV/AIDS continue to escalate. Adolescents need to learn about a wide range of risks from protecting themselves to how health risks manifest in different parts of the world.
Program Dates:
Schools interested must show strong commitment to this unique opportunity. Schools must sign up for a minimum of 3 VCs- 1 Domestic (April session dates) and 2 International (both May session 
dates). Schools cannot sign up for May sessions only. Stand alone sessions for April dates are also available (i.e you can choose to only participate in the April 17th VC). In addition, students will participate in an online forum 3 weeks prior and post VC. Schools will be expected to take some kind of local action as a culminating project by the end of the dialogue- it can be a publicity/educational event at the school or in the community related to the topic, or report that is spread virally to broadcast what was learned, or a community service action.
Friday, April 17th (North American Sites Only)
High School: 8:30-9:30 AM EDT
Introduction to Health and Well-Being: Global Perspectives
Friday, April 24th (North American Sites Only)
High School: 8:30-9:30 AM EDT
Community and Environmental Health: Renewable, Reusable, or Recyclable?
Friday, May 1st
High School: 7:00-8:00 AM EDT/ 2:00-3:00 PM BAGHDAD
IRAQ, PART 1- Well-Being: Global Threats and Opportunities (Substance Abuse, Peer Pressure, Sports, Arts, Internet, etc.)
Friday, May 1st
High School: 8:30-9:30 AM EDT/ 3:30-4:30 PM GAZA
GAZA, PART 1- American and Arab Perspectives on Nutrition
·
Friday, May 15th
High School: 7:00-8:00 AM EDT/ 2:00-3:00 PM BAGHDAD
IRAQ, PART 2- Mental and Emotional Health Issues: How to Cope with Stress
Friday, May 15th
High School: 8:30-9:30 AM EDT/ 3:30-4:30 PM GAZA
GAZA, PART 2- Mental and Emotional Health Issues: How to Cope with Stress
*All programs are aligned to National Education Standards and Millennium Development Goals.
Price:
$150 or membership price per Domestic VC
$300 or membership price per International VC
I want to sign up, what’s the next step? Spots are limited. Please contact Grace Lau: 212.529.0377
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