iEARN Professional
Development Program
Workshop Title: The Teddy Bear Exchange Project
Target Professionals: English, Literature, Social Studies, Co- Curricular Coordinators, Art Teachers and Curriculum Coordinators,
Time: 6 Hours session from 9:00am-3:00pm
Abstract:
Project Based Learning help teachers integrate iEARN projects in the curriculum and make their tasks interesting. PBL helps develop a learning environment in a classroom that engages students in real world issues, doing research and planning, helping peers to learn and applying content specific skills. Project based learning has proven to lead students to gain knowledge, help students practice their interpersonal skills, give students practice in a range of skills, meet expectations regarding accomplishments or learning outcomes, using reflective activities that leads students think critically about their experiences and finally ends with a presentation in which they explain their learning and share their experiences. Teddy Bear is a fabulous example of such online collaborative exchange among students around the world.
The Teddy Bear Exchange Project is an iEARN online project that provide great opportunities for students around the world to learn from each other about the diversity on culture, geography, and lifestyles. The partner schools around the world exchange a Teddy Bear or any other soft toys which arrives in the partner class and students writes exciting diaries back home as if they are the visiting bears. In Pakistani schools this project is commonly integrated in the English Language and Social Studies curriculum. Teachers have great stories of how students develop their writing and communication skills by interacting with partner schools as well as get valuable information about the culture, customs, traditions and many things about the partnering country.
This workshop is aimed at introducing teachers to the Teddy Bear Project, required strategic planning for implementation and student involvement of this project as a part of the curricular activity. Examples of the past Teddy Bear project focused at starting the project, students interactions, the students feedback and activities will be presented by veteran iEARN teachers. Each participant will get a comprehensive guide book developed by iEARN-Japan that will make a great resource for managing all Teddy Bear Exchange Activities.
As part of the workshop, each of the participating teachers will be matched with another teacher and class from a different country that includes USA, Japan, Argentina, Middle East, Australia, Nepal, and many other countries. Participant will get an opportunity to speak to the facilitator of Teddy Bear Project from Japan and some other teachers from the world on Video Conferencing and live chats.
Topics Focused:
- Introduction to the Teddy Bear Project
-Case studies of the project
- Procedure for project implementation
- Possible activities
- Introduction to the partner teachers and schools
