Day 1 of Global Education Conference 2013 #globaled13

In a nutshell, Day 1 of the Global Education Conference can be summed up in a few words: Inspirational, Collaborative, and Interactive, and came with a wealth and depth of Knowledge, Insight, Passion, Innovation, and Creativity. It was brilliant to see such a strong focus on Global Citizenship, Student Empowerment, Collaboration and Whole-child development.
The purpose of this blog post is to share how our own presentation went and provide you with links and resources for those who attended, as well as for those who were unable to make it. In the spirit of Connectivity and Collaboration, I also want to share a brief glimpse into a few of the sessions I attended, with links on how you can learn more about these great educators and the exceptional work they are doing.

Tosca Killoran and I held a session on "Students as Creators", providing a plethora of #EdTech tools that foster the development of this movement. I discussed these tools in the context of my classroom, providing examples of purposeful choice for authentic audiences, while Tosca rocked the discussions going on in the chat!

Participant Feedback: "I have learned more in this session than I have in 23 years of college!"
-Greg (Hazlet Township Public Schools, NJ)


We were EXTREMELY excited to have more than 100 Attendees from all across the globe!
Below, you will find the video & slides of the presentation, as well as the "Tools to Create" Symbaloo, full of resources.

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My Hero - Call to Action by Wendy Milette and Wendy Jewell
The Wendy duo shared about the importance of youth having positive role models and how educators and youth can use "My Hero" as a platform to create, connect, and collaborate on projects and actions surrounding this theme. "My Hero" has a plethora of excellent resources, and supports educators in holding My Hero learning circles, as well as encouraging students to submit their stories, art and short films to inspire others and to create an ongoing portfolio to celebrate the best of humanity, empowering them to realize their own potential to effect positive change in the world.
To learn more, check out their Website, or follow them on Twitter.
Video of Session

Imagining Future Friendly Schools: Global Citizenship, Environmental Stewardship, & Student Voice by Michael Furdyk
Some of the best things are often the most difficult to describe. Michael Furdyk is a fellow Canadian, and one with a rich and inspirational background and story. Whether being named one of the 10 Tech Revolutionaries Redefining the Power and Face of Philanthropy, appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, presenting at TED, or being named one of Teen People's Twenty Teens that will Change the World, Michael is a Change Agent in the Education scene and we are happy to have him! Michael discussed "Taking it Global", which he is the Co-Founder of, what "Future Friendly Schools" will look like, as well as Acknowledging Action Takers. There is far too many positive things that I could say, so I will simply strongly encourage you to explore the links below to learn more about the amazing things that Michael is doing!
Future Friendly Schools
Taking it Global - Website, Twitter, Facebook
Michael Furdyk - Website, Twitter
I strongly encourage you take some time to watch the Video of his session!

Transformational Literacy for the 21st Century: Four Lessons from the LitWorld Model by Pam Allyn and Jennifer Estrada
Pam and Jennifer took us on a journey of 4 key lessons in transformational literacy. They explored the Power of Story, the Power of Collaboration, the Power of Reflection, and the Power of Joy. Their stories and pictures reminded us of how powerful all aspects of literacy are, regardless of the technology we use or do not use. LitWorld's programs and campaigns build self-confidence, promote leadership, and strengthen children and their communities. Explore their website and watch their session video and be reminded of the Power of Literacy.

Fostering Global Citizenship in the English Classroom by Jennifer Klein
As an English major, I truly appreciated Jennifer's passion and love for literature and its role within education. What was even more impressive was the examples that Jen provided on how to approach literature in a way that extends learning beyond the pages in order to make a social impact. This session was all about Perspective and truly fostered a high sense of open-mindedness. Check out her Website, follow her on Twitter, Watch her session video, and check out the video below. This student video was a resource that she shared and will truly give you an insight into what her session was all about!