Main Objectives
The concept of Culturesconnect Website is a class project, of EPS 415 - Technologies and Education Reforms. In line with the main objective of the course, using technology to change the way of teaching and learning, the Culturesconnect Website project enables teachers and learners from different areas of the country to share some ideas amongst one another. Other than lack of technology, different forms of literacies (that is, not knowing how to utilize technology or not understanding language used with technology) also constrains uses of technology to bring about reforms in education. This project attempts to mitigate language and cultural illiteracies that may exist between learners and teachers from two different regions. The Culturesconnect project will also promote access to technology by learners who might have not had such access prior to this project. Learners who have used computers before, may get an opportunity to create different activities though computers other than traditional uses. As a group, we foresee growth of this project beyond just being a class project to inspire exchanges between other classes around the country and world through technology.
Week Specific Questions
Week 1: Where is your family from? What language/s do you speak at home and at school?
Week 2: Do you like living in your neighborhood? Do you have friends in other parts of the country or in other countries? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Week 3: What is your favorite subject in school? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Week 4: What holidays do you celebrate during the year? When are they? What do you do on these days?
Week 5: What are some recent current events that have had an impact on you, your friends, and your family?
Overarching Standards
International Society for Technology in Education Standards
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
WIDA Standards- Spanish Language Arts
2.A.2g Students will compare language and writing traditions that reflect customs, regions, and cultures.
3.A.2a Demonstrate understanding of the listening process (e.g., sender, receiver, message) by summarizing and paraphrasing spoken messages orally and in writing in formal and informal situations.
3.B.2c Students will identify and match dialectical differences with cultures/regions.
4.B.2a Students will select and use appropriate language to communicate personal feelings and ideas to different audiences for different purposes and in different settings.
4.B.2d Students will compare language and oral traditions (e.g. family stories that reflect customs, regions, and cultures).
Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards
Goal 2: Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.
-2A.2b. Describe the expressed feelings and perspectives of others.
-2A.4b. Use conversation skills to understand others’ feelings and perspectives.
Illinois Social Science Learning Standards
Goal 18A: Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions. -18.A.1 Identify folklore from different cultures which became part of the heritage of the United States. Goal 18B: Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.
-18.B.2a Describe interactions of individuals, groups and institutions in situations drawn from the local community (e.g., local response to state and national reforms).
Common Core Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
-Speaking and Listening Standards K-5: Comprehension and Collaboration: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
-Speaking and Listening Standards K -5 :Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
Week 1: Where is your family from? What language/s do you speak at home and at school?
Week 2: Do you like living in your neighborhood? Do you have friends in other parts of the country or in other countries? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Week 3: What is your favorite subject in school? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Week 4: What holidays do you celebrate during the year? When are they? What do you do on these days?
Week 5: What are some recent current events that have had an impact on you, your friends, and your family?
Overarching Standards
International Society for Technology in Education Standards
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
WIDA Standards- Spanish Language Arts
2.A.2g Students will compare language and writing traditions that reflect customs, regions, and cultures.
3.A.2a Demonstrate understanding of the listening process (e.g., sender, receiver, message) by summarizing and paraphrasing spoken messages orally and in writing in formal and informal situations.
3.B.2c Students will identify and match dialectical differences with cultures/regions.
4.B.2a Students will select and use appropriate language to communicate personal feelings and ideas to different audiences for different purposes and in different settings.
4.B.2d Students will compare language and oral traditions (e.g. family stories that reflect customs, regions, and cultures).
Illinois Social Emotional Learning Standards
Goal 2: Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.
-2A.2b. Describe the expressed feelings and perspectives of others.
-2A.4b. Use conversation skills to understand others’ feelings and perspectives.
Illinois Social Science Learning Standards
Goal 18A: Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions. -18.A.1 Identify folklore from different cultures which became part of the heritage of the United States. Goal 18B: Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.
-18.B.2a Describe interactions of individuals, groups and institutions in situations drawn from the local community (e.g., local response to state and national reforms).
Common Core Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
-Speaking and Listening Standards K-5: Comprehension and Collaboration: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
-Speaking and Listening Standards K -5 :Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.