Korea and the United States Join Together Live to Discuss Important Historical Events

On November 15, Live Classes began between Hanil High School in Gongju, South Korea, and IB Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Florida, the USA. Having the whole same grade students of their schools participate in IVECA as a subject class this semester, Hanil and Carrollwood arranged five live presentation meetings for the week of November 15 through November 19. The Live Classes were conducted in a hybrid format when Hanil High School students joined individually from their homes, and Carrollwood Day School students participated from their classroom.

Throughout the five Live Class sessions, students from the two schools exchanged their ideas and opinions about important historical events in their countries. Hanil High School students shared presentations about historical events from different centuries: starting from the period of Three Kingdoms and Silla unification in the 7th century until the 1997 IMF Crisis and its impact on the Korean economy. Appreciating the opportunity “the best way to learn is to teach”, Carrollwood students shared what they have learned in history this semester. Floridian students covered over 200 years of history in America from the first settlements in Jamestown and Plymouth to the French and Indian War and American Revolution in the 18th century.

After their group presentations, students also had a chance to discuss the background and impact of the historical events. In their comments, American students mentioned that they were impressed and learned a lot about Korean history and especially about the Korean war: “I was very fascinated to learn that America sided with South Korea and North Korea sided with the Soviet Union and China. I never knew that is how South Korea and North Korea decided the border.” The diverse viewpoints of Korean students regarding the Korean war helped American students to look at the wars in American history from a different perspective. At the same time, while listening to presentations from Carrollwood, Korean students realized how similar the historical paths of the two countries are. ”I never realized that our histories are so similar”, shared one of the Korean students during the discussion.

As Hanil High School principal Mr. Insoo Shin shared in his closing remarks, students got the opportunity to better understand not only about partner country but their own country. They also felt proud of themselves envisioning a prominent future ahead. Comparing similarities and differences between two countries through the lens of history, as well as learning about different cultures from each other’s cultural performances helped students to develop the deepest level of intercultural competence.

IVECA Team is looking forward to the coming Live Classes in the following weeks to provide teachers and students with the best learning and cultural experiences.

#IVECA #LiveClass #internationalvirtualschooling #interculturalcompetence #21stCenturyEducation #GlobalCitizenship #21stcenturyskills

International Teachers Prepare for the Live Class

As the Fall Semester ends, students from all IVECA Virtual Classes start to prepare for the final event of the IVECA program - the Live Class. Traditionally, during the Live Class, students and teachers from two partner schools have a unique opportunity to meet virtually, in real-time, and exchange the results of their semester-long projects. Moreover, the Live Class includes “Student Performances” where all of the students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and share their culture with their partners to celebrate the end of the semester.

To help teachers guide their students to prepare for the Live Class, IVECA is providing Test Sessions for the lead teachers and instructors. The method in which the partnering schools will be participating in the Live Class is thoroughly discussed during the test session. Students have been used to attending the Live Class from their classrooms. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the traditional format of participation. Consequently, some students have had to join the Live Class individually from their homes. As the pandemic situation around the world is becoming better managed, the fall semester Live Classes are expected to be conducted in different hybrid formats: classroom to classroom, classroom to individuals, and participants joining from their homes.

Apart from the participation method, other essential elements are discussed during the test session, such as the layout of the lesson plan for the Live Class, time allotment for presentations, and setting the deadlines for the coming weeks. So far, test sessions have been conducted with teachers from Argentina, Malaysia, the USA, and Korea. In line with extended collaboration with Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute (IEGI), a test session with international teachers will be conducted as part of the extended teachers’ training.

IVECA Team is looking forward to the coming test sessions and is ready to facilitate the Live Classes in any of the abovementioned formats.

#IVECA #internationalvirtualschooling #GlobalCitizenship #TestSession #21stcenturyskills #21stCenturyEducation #FallSemester #LiveClassPreparation

Fruitful Partnership Develops with IEGI

During the Fall Semester of 2021, IVECA has been collaborating extensively with Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education East Asia Global Education Institute (IEGI). The partnership began in July 2021, when IEGI participated in their first IVECA Global Virtual Summer Camp with students from Malaysia and India. Prior to the Fall Semester, a group of eighteen teachers from IEGI completed their basic level of teacher training for participation in IVECA programs.

This fall, groups of students from fifteen schools in Incheon, Korea, have joined the IVECA program, including students from elementary school, middle school, and high school. Students from IEGI are partnered with schools from Argentina, China, and Malaysia. So far, the teachers have been guiding their students through their intercultural activities with the partner school, prior to preparing for the Live Class presentations later in the semester.

Following the Live Class presentations, IEGI will be hosting a ceremony highlighting the projects their students completed through the IVECA program. Over the winter break and upcoming year, this partnership will facilitate intercultural exchange activities further by planning to have IEGI teachers complete the intermediate level of IVECA training and engage their students in Global Winter Camp and Virtual Exchange programs.

#IVECA #GlobalCitizenship #internationalvirtualschooling #IEGI #globaleducation #interculturalcompetence