Global Collaboration isn't Just for Business Anymore

In our quest to ensure that our students are truly prepared for the world they enter, we often coin terms to help educators, parents, community members, and students themselves speak in a common language. Unfortunately, in our effort to do this, we often dilute what the true goal is. It isn't about the term, but about the goal.

According to iste.org Global Collaborators use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in local and global teams. When thinking of these ideas, an urge to run away comes to mind. Not because we don't want team players or open minds, but because this seems like a monumental mountain to climb.

Let's start with the first piece of being a Global Collaborator. Using digital tools to connect with others from varying backgrounds, cultures, and age ranges to increase understanding of issues and learning is a key component. This means that we don't just listen, watch, or hear from the people who agree with us, but we truly open our minds to those who have opposing or altered views. This scares adults, so imagine how worrying it can be for our students. One way you can help your child cope with differing viewpoints is to address current events or issues by looking at all sides; finding what your child agrees and doesn't agree with; and then helping them to realize that they don't have to agree, but accept there are differing viewpoints.

In conjunction with the first piece is the idea that students use collaborative technologies to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints. To take it a step further, we ask that students look at what peers, experts, and community members are saying, then using this information to research and analyze the problem. We ask not only that they analyze but become active, positive contributors to reach a goal in the issue or problem. While working to investigate and reach a solution, incorporating many different points of view and listening to all sides allows our students to become Global Collaborators.

This essential skill of using various viewpoints to solve problems produces great results when done, but it also encourages productive frustration during the process. Learning that problem solving is messy, not a neat line of steps, but rather, a jumble of different viewpoints coming together to create a solution is key to successful collaboration.