Using Blended Learning to Promote Global Education

Blended learning combines face to face interaction with online learning (Bonk, 2009, 112), an ideal means through which to promote global education.  First, kids collaborate in small groups about their lives, interests, education, and world around them.  When they complete this brainstorm, they create a visual in order share who they are with others.  Next, the class, or even just the small group, chooses any place in the world about which they’d like to know more and connects with a classroom there via ePals.  Students complete research online to familiarize themselves with the kids who live in their chosen location and then interview the ePals classmates by Skype or email.  Eventually, the two classes can decide on a class project, like a friendly competition using FreeRice.com, collaborating on a children’s books for an orphanage in yet another location, or having a fundraiser of some kind to benefit a charity.  Using a blended learning environment undeniably promotes global education.

Bonk, C. J. (2009). The World is Open: How web technology is revolutionizing education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.