Empowering Educators to Build Bridges Across Cultures
On November 12, 2024, One World held an exciting Virtual Exchange (VE) training session for its Spanish-speaking global community. Educators from Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador joined this dynamic workshop to dive into the possibilities of global connections and gain the tools to build cross-cultural understanding in their classrooms. As global interconnectedness grows, the ability to understand and collaborate across cultures is more critical than ever. This training emphasized how VE can be a powerful means to foster global competence among students.
In an engaging, interactive environment, teachers explored One World’s Virtual Exchange Global Connections Program—an initiative designed to bridge cultural gaps and foster mutual understanding and collaboration through three distinct pathways:
- VE Formal Curriculum: An in-depth program with 6 structured lessons designed to address essential topics in global citizenship and awareness.
- VE Global Celebrations: Opportunities for students to celebrate and learn about each other’s unique cultural traditions, deepening their appreciation for diverse practices.
- Customized VE: A flexible option tailored to meet the specific needs of each classroom, allowing for creative and targeted approaches to global learning.
The session also highlighted best practices for Zoom sessions and how to make the most of Padlet for ongoing, interactive exchanges between students. Teachers discussed strategies for fostering engaging, thoughtful dialogue and building meaningful, student-led connections.
Through this training, One World reinforced its commitment to equipping educators with tools for global collaboration and ensuring that students in every classroom develop the skills to thrive in an interconnected world. Educators left inspired and ready to bring these global perspectives into their teaching, preparing students to be globally aware citizens who can bridge divides and create lasting connections.
