International Conversations in Teacher Education- Partnership

This project entails a a short series of online discussions between teacher education students in multiple countries. We believe that such conversations with others in different contexts can be helpful in: a) understanding the viewpoint and experiences of others, b) learning more deeply about your own experiences and context through comparison, and c) broadening the perspective of the global nature of the profession. 

The project in short:
  • Who: Teacher education students around the globe from participating institutions.
  • What: Participate in small group online meetings with your global peers to learn and share with each other.
  • When: Three one-hour meetings are scheduled by each small group to occur between November 10-December 8.
  • Why: Meet new friends, expand your thinking on teacher education, share and hear experiences of teacher education and visions of future teaching
  • How: Your instructor or program liaison will share your information to form the groups and remain as a key contact for the project. Once groups are set, your team members will select their individual group roles and begin planning.

Activity Steps in Detail

  1. Course specific pre-activity (as determined by your instructor)
  2. Groups formed and shared with all participants [Week 42 (October 24)]
    1. Link to assigned groupings (see your email for the password to open this link; for tips on finding your group see here)
  3. Group members negotiate and assume their official role within the group and prepare for their three meetings [between Weeks 43-45 (3 weeks; October 25-November 9)]
    1. ​Review group role list
    2. Share your preferred roles with your assigned group members over email
    3. Decide among your group who will serve in each role (only one role per group member)
    4. The group scheduler & time zone coordinator facilitates the scheduling of the three one-hour meetings
    5. The tech platform lead coordinates the technology to use for the project based on team member preference and access (e.g., Zoom, WhatsAPP, Signal, Facebook Messenger, or other)
    6. The language & communication supporter explores explores and selects viable language support tools to use for the meeting
    7. All group members independently review the activities and materials in the following steps below
  4. Groups meet with their team during their per-set times [between Weeks 46-49 (4 weeks; November 10- December 8)] 
    1. 1st meeting: Discuss group roles, share a photo from your everyday, and answer introductory questions 
    2. 2nd meeting: Discuss case study 1
    3. 3rd meeting: Discuss case study 2 & wrap up questions
  5. Course specific pre-activity (as determined by your instructor)
  6. ​Optional focus group meeting- details to be shared later

Select Partner Country-Specific Information

click on the flag for information on the specific national educational context
PictureBaden-Württemberg
Picture
Freistaat Bayern

Project Tips and Tricks

  • Finding your group members: For help with locating your assigned group number and email information for your group, please see here
  • Difficulty scheduling: It can be difficult to find consensus on meeting times and dates. We encourage you to view this scheduling activity as an inclusive act. All of your members will have different schedules and preferences and as a group you'll need to be both flexible and proactive as you work together to find common ground. Please contact the project lead (Dr. Jordan Shurr) if your group list has an incorrect email address. 
  • Translation options: Consider individually exploring and discussing some options for language translations tools. You can find several options here. In addition, you will likely have some unique ideas within you group. Remember that all group members have different experiences with speaking English- having ready access to a translation tool can help enhance the welcome and inclusivity of your time together. 
  • Time zone: It is highly likely that your group members will be on different time zones. Part of your cultural competency practice individually and as a group is to work in a way that is understanding of time differences. We have identified some useful tools here. You may also have some other good strategies. Keep in mind that some countries change time in the fall (but not all on the same day)

Comments and Questions?

Please reach out to your own instructor, or Dr. Jordan Shurr with questions of concerns.

Partner Institutions
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