Module 8: Advanced Global Project Design and Management Essentials Part 1

[Edna Marie Phythian]

Being a global project manager is not easy because it does take effort, time, is multidimensional, and is not exact/perfect. You can tell by the checklist that there are many things to consider and all element are important and cannot be dismissed. While this checklist can be overwhelming, it seems like it would help you to consider all of the components when wanting to design a project at a large scope.

Many of the teachers in my district seem to be interested in finding the small ways in which they can create opportunity for their students to broaden their perspectives. I do have some who are interested in getting their students connected on a larger scale; and for those teachers, then this checklist and the "Flat Classroom Framework" could be useful. But for those who are just interested in helping their students to make the small connections through their curriculum work, the framework and checklist might be overwhelming.

[Edna Marie Phythian]

Emily, messy is hard for teachers because it means things may not go as planned and that means you may be losing time with kids, which is so precious.

Julie, I completely agree about using where it applies and the finding the components that are necessary at that time for that purpose. I think it is a great thinking tool to guide teachers as they try to build their own capacity to lead global collaborative learning experiences. Your resources are phenomenal, now it is up to facilitators to get these tools into teachers hands and to help them learn how to use them for their benefit. And that, is a whole other issue because there are not enough districts that have people in positions to facilitate these type of conversations. Anyways, thanks for the tools.

[Julie Lindsay]

Edna, point taken about the framework being overwhelming. We are also aware that it may not transfer to the lower elementary grades and the needs of younger students when designing curriculum. Thanks for raising this, and providing constructive material for discussion. I think the main point is the framework does not have to be taken literally, it can be used in full or in part, according to the need. It is a way of extending the thinking and providing material to start the journey.

[Emily McCarren]

Thanks for your post, Edna!  I like that you mention that it is not perfect.  That is one of the biggest hurdles for us teachers-- good to remember that messy is okay and we can't do it all in a shiny perfect way all the time.