Innovative Learning NewsletterFebruary 2019

Global Scholars
Camille Edwards, Coordinator

Global Scholars Symposium 2019: Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes, was the 2019 Global Cities Inc. Symposium’s theme. The symposium convened teachers, administrators and their staff at the Bloomberg Offices in New York during the last week of January. Attendees from Asian, European, North/South American, African, Canadian and Middle Eastern participating cities were united in endorsing the need to assess student learning outcomes in the Global Scholars classroom. Introduced two years earlier at the Symposium in Paris, the revised Global Student Learning Outcomes Matrix provided a framework to facilitate the discussions.

gs_2019-02 6 Marjorie.JPG

gs_2019-02 1 Bloomberg.JPG

The symposium was opened by Marjorie Tiven, Global Cities, Inc. Founder and President,; Michael Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies; with remarks by Richard Haas, President of the Council on Foreign Relations.

gs_2019-02 9 Huss.jpg

gs_2019-02 2 King.JPG

John King, Former US Secretary of State and currently President/CEO of The Education Trust, provided insights about equity in education.

He endorsed the benefits of Global Scholars to middle school students in the areas of self-discovery, identity, peer relationships, forming ambitious goals, use of technology, cross-disciplinary curriculum project-based-learning and problem solving. He saw this learning experience as a positive way to address concerns regarding the future for the world's children.

A panel of Global Scholars teachers included Broward’s Audrey Green. The discussion pertained to how teachers can recognize student learning outcomes in the classroom, as well as identifying competencies requiring assessment.

Examples explored include students’ appreciation for diversity and a world beyond their own, respectful interaction, improvements in writing skills, developing oral communication, reading to be informed, cultivating curiosity, digital literacy and behavioral skills. Attendees impressive sharing of strategies used to assess learning enabled everyone to leave the symposium with local implementation action steps.

Representing Broward County Public Schools were Global Scholars' teachers, Ms. Green (Silver Trail) and Ms. Brownlee (Attucks), Ms. Edwards, Global Scholars Coordinator, Dr. Diamond, Director of Innovative Learning and Mr. Gohl, Chief Academic Officer.

gs_2019-02 8 group.JPG

We had the opportunity to share some of Broward’s Global Scholars accomplishments, such as the positive impact of our professional learning community where Global Scholars teachers meet regularly to collaborate on student work, resolve challenges, celebrate great work and benefit from District and Community experts who support the theme.

gs_2019-02 4 Gohl.JPG

The Broward team was able to detail how students are able to showcase their work to other students, parents, administrators, Board members, and District staff through the project-based learning component of the program where students display their learning to an authentic audience. Our examples of parent and community involvement were also well received. We described how parents provided artifacts to enhance cultural understanding, chaperoned field trips, and participated in an in-school, evening Skype webinar. Partnering with several theme-related community organizations provides resources and expert speakers to enhance the curriculum and provide a local perspective. These shared examples is what has contributed to the program’s positive growth from four schools in 2015-16, with five teachers and 236 students to twenty-two participating schools, with 28 teachers and 1150 students in less than four years.

The Broward team was delighted to collaborate in person with colleagues who work with the same curriculum, but from different perspectives - like Emma Scelsi from London - who described having her students carry heavy buckets of water to really experience and appreciate another country's perspective around this year's water theme.

Another example was the story shared by Mireia Xortó from Barcelona of a student who was able to find her voice and validation through the ability to converse with others through the e-classroom discussion board. Teachers thrive when they can collaborate, and the symposium allowed for sharing of ideas. It also validated Broward’s implementation efforts and the importance of the teacher role in creating global citizens.

gs_2019-02 5 team.JPG

Broward was commended for our improvements in content and context of student posts and digital projects in the e-classroom. The e-classroom is an online, password protected platform where students in international groupings called collaborations discuss theme-related global issues and then determine local solutions for their homes, schools and/or community.

Global Scholars International Showcase

story by Vitra Boodoosingh, Margate Middle

The 2019 International Showcase at Pompano Beach High was an awesome opportunity to learn about represented cultures - a Global Scholars' learning goal. Some Global Scholars students were able to attend this year's International Showcase and they enjoyed interacting with each other, expressing themselves verbally, observing immediate reaction, and receiving immediate responses - which was a welcomed change from waiting for replies to their posts in the Global Scholars e-classroom.

Students enjoyed EVERY performance including the music and traditional musical instruments used, as well as the traditional attire. This exposed them to the culture of various represented countries. The skits were delightful, portraying life in that country, while giving students the sensation of being there.

International food tasting at some booths appealed to students. They were fascinated by the exotic tastes and textures. Posters provided more details about each country and allowed for personal interaction with the foreign students and teachers. The girls enjoyed the Indian Booth and all students liked the Chinese booth where they were amazed to see their names in Madarin.

Students wished for longer performances and more participation time. There was so much to learn through observation, discussion, and workshops. Some students wished the entire class could have accompanied them to the Showcase.

Events at the International Showcase

gs_2019_02-12.png alt= — Olsen Middle at Showcase Entrance

Inaugural Student Climate Change Summit

story by Amir Ibraham, GS Teacher at Parkway MS

Global Scholars students from Parkway, Olsen and Crystal Lake Middle Schools were among the 500 Broward middle and high school students who attended the 1st Annual Broward County Youth Climate Summit. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) partnered with Broward County’s Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division (EPCRD) to host the summit at the Global Events Center at First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Students had an opportunity to network with students from other schools to share their plans and ideas. Parkway’s students showcased their bio-swale project. Students also heard from elected officials, scientists and advocates who are addressing sustainability issues. They learned and discussed Broward

County’s climate-related issues such as the growing climate crisis and issues related to rising sea levels. They are now able to be an advocate for policy change, promote environmental sustainability and create climate action plans for their school.

Students’ indicated that the Summit was fun and informative. They loved the interaction and the ability to ask questions and work as teams. The Summit has prepared the students for Broward’s Annual Global Scholars Showcase and will help them complete their Community Action Plans - a culminating program requirement.

gs_2019-02 1 Crystal Lake.jpg — Crystal Lake Middle

gs_2019-02 2 Crystal Lake.jpg — Crystal Lake Middle

Click the links below or thumb through the entire issue using the next and previous buttons.