World Class Education News Internship

World Class Education News Internship

 

KDSL is seeking a summer intern to assist with social media, marketing, and outreach.  This internship is an excellent opportunity for students interested in international education to gain understandings of the issues in field and to have hands-on experience developing services for the international education community.  The intern will be an integral member of a small team and will have opportunities to design and lead project initiatives.  The internship will be conducted virtually and will require approximately 5 to 8 hours per week.  The internship is unpaid.

 

Duration of internship: June 2012 – August 2012

Location: Virtual (use Skype, telephone, and the Internet)

Expected activities:

• Main responsibilities:
  • Research and contact international education organizations
  • Collaborate with marketing and outreach
  • Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blog)
  • Manage customer relationships
  • Manage project timeline

Ideal candidate:

A successful candidate will have:

▪       an interest in international education, education reform, and/or comparative education

▪       an entrepreneurial spirit and self-starter attitude

▪       excellent research and writing skills

▪       excellent work ethics who will see tasks through completion

Other qualification:

A successful candidate should also:

▪       have access to reliable Internet services and Skype

▪       be able to communicate with team member several times a day via email.

▪       Tech savvy

▪       Able to begin mid-June 2012

 

If selected for an interview, candidates must be able to provide two references who can speak positively about their work ethic.

 

How to Apply

▪     Email a copy of resume and a letter of interest in Word or PDF to KDSL2007@gmail.com

 

Deadline to apply: Friday, June 8 at 5:00pm EST.  Potential candidates will be contacted for a Skype interview.

  

For more on WCEN please visit http://worldclassednews.com/

 

 

Journey of a Global Educator: An Interview with Fatma Trabelsi

During a virtual interview with Fatma Trabelsi of GEMS World Academy Dubai, KDSL intern Emily Blackshire learned quite a bit about her inspiration to work in an innovative setting for global education. Her experience as a fluent communicator of three languages and familiarity with the challenges and thrills of learning other languages inspired her to work with second language learners as well as her professor at university. She added that she has “always considered languages as mere keys and bridges that help language learners access new cultures and different literature.” Trabelsi notes that as well as her professor at University that inspired her to learn languages, she was especially motivated by Mrs. Ennaifer, a French teacher and Dr. Ben Jaafar, a sociolinguistics professor, who she notes were phenomenal for their engaging and enticing practices of language learning and speaking.

During her journey as an educator, Trabelsi reports that she had the opportunity to cross paths with many other global educators, whether they were colleagues, friends, teacher trainers, or administrators. From each new setting, she was able to draw depth from these relationships that shed new light on her own perspectives on education and language learning. Through these relationships forged, she says she “learnt how to widen up the spectrum of my understanding of other people’s perceptions and ideas on education, life, teaching and a range of other topics.” She has also learned a great deal about other cultures and building bridges across nations through education. Trabelsi was inspired by her colleagues and through a great deal of debating and inquiring with those around her. She has learned astronomical amounts about what works and what doesn’t when working towards global education and what is necessary for bridging gaps between classrooms to gain perspective worldwide.

For Trabelsi, the largest obstacle she had to overcome was her “own limitation in reaching out for a new or an updated knowledge or information related to her field of expertise or to education” and trying to match her own priorities with the abilities of the school to meet the school’s need or her own personal goal for the school’s well-being. During her time working at The American School of Tunis, her friend Furaha Youngblood said to her “Fatma, education is the only field where you still have an impact on the next generation. This is the field where the change happens.” Youngblood’s words acted as a catalyst for her to enhance her career for the rest of her life and changed her way of teaching. From that point on, Trabelsi has dedicated her time in the classroom to enhance students’ educational experiences and she has thrived from discovering their similarities and how they work together. Her perception of the world is continually changing as the more she grows and learns, the more she wants to share with her students. Her goal is simply to help them see beyond the boundaries of a name, religion, nationality or continent,” despite the difficulty that may come with trying to change a mindset, her devotion is unwavering.

As for changing students’ perspectives and molding their characters, Trabelsi says that is both the responsibility and privilege of the individual educators and administrators as opposed to the entire school. She believes that schools run by open-minded, experienced, flexible administrators will have the most success encouraging learning and setting up the right environment for students. Trabelsi works tirelessly to ensure that she and her fellow educators are catering to the individual needs of students and working towards keeping all students motivated, engaged, challenged, and involved both within their community and beyond.

 

Educationally Yours,

 

Emily Blackshire
Global Education Collaborator Intern
KDSL – Know.Do.Serve.Learn
Website: www.knowdoservelearn.org
Blog: http://www.kdsl.wordpress.com/

Email: emilyKDSL2007@gmail.com

Sharing the Big Ideas from EdCamp Dubai

Kevin Simpson and colleagues took me up on my offer to host reports from EdCamps around the world on this space. Here are some of the big insights from the very first EdCamp Dubai and the first EdCamp in the Middle East! Looking forward to hearing about many more in the future.

EdCamp Dubai, First of its Kind in the Middle East

EdCamp Dubai, held at Bradenton Preparatory Academy on May 12, 2012, attracted educators from all regions of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From nursery to university, participants represented a diverse range of teachers who came with a purpose to share experiences, uncover and debate hot topics in education. Here are a just a few of them:

 

To read more visit Justin Reich’s EdTech Researcher Blog Post.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2012/05/the_big_ideas_from_edcamp_dubai.html

 

KDSL on Entrepreneur Stories

How does KDSL further education around the world?

KDSL was interviewed by Josh Haynam, co-founder and editor of Entrepreneur Stories an Entrepreneur with a passion for disruption.

To see the interview visit http://entrepreneur-stories.com/know-do-serve-learn/

Visit Entrepreneur Stories at http://entrepreneur-stories.com/

KDSL Spring 2012 Newsletter

This KDSL newsletter features….

• KDSL Intern introduction
• Collaboration and What’s new at KDSL
• Mathletics
• Global Education Conferences

KDSL Spring 2012 Newsletter

KDSL Education Internship – Virtual

KDSL Education Internship – Virtual
KDSL – Know.Do.Serve.Learn Global Education Collaboration Services, based in the states and abroad, is looking to provide internships throughout the year. KDSL partners with organizations worldwide to increase student achievement, teacher knowledge, and education leadership. The virtual internship will be diverse and challenging. Responsibilities will include:
1. Research. Primary topics of interest for KDSL are: school development, global learning, innovation, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning. KDSL is seeking an intern with experience and interest in the education field who can perform high-quality research and write clearly. Research tasks would include crafting weekly reports using a wide range of sources.

2. Writing. KDSL is devoted to sharing and collaborating with K-16 education stakeholders worldwide. This is done via the KDSL Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and newsletter. A KDSL intern would have the opportunity to contribute to these various sources.

3. Leadership. There are many opportunities to learn and expand leadership skills within the organization.
KDSL seeks a resourceful, intelligent, detail-oriented, hard-working individual (college aged-student preferred) who is capable of excelling in an intellectually stimulating work environment. Research experience is desired, strong writing skills a must and Internet experience greatly welcome. The time commitment is 5-10 hours a week for this virtual internship to begin in late July/August 2012 for 3-6 months. This internship can be used to gain college credit or as an independent study. Please browse the KDSL weblog at www.kdsl.wordpress.com and the website at www.knowdoservelearn.org for more information about the organization.

KDSL is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals interested in the internship should send a cover letter, resume, 2 references, and a writing sample to: KDSL2007@gmail.com by 8 June 2012. Interviews will occur on Skype.

EdCamp Dubai interview

In an interview with Kevin Simpson, the founder of KDSL and a critical piece in bringing an EdCamp to Dubai, I learned a lot about the original thought behind the “unconference” and the potential for greatness that it definitely has. After connecting with an EdCamp Philly founder and the founder of EdCampDC, Kevin began talks with the EdCamp Foundation and decided to organize the first event in Dubai.

EdCamp Dubai is different than any other conference in the way that instead of sitting passively for lectures, the attendees are the presenters and agenda makers – covering topics that are relatable to all educators and that fit individual needs. Through this method of presentation, the attendees forge friendships and network beyond the conference as well, obeying the “law of two feet” and moving to the session most useful to each individual.

At the “unconference,” there are an array of topics that Kevin is expecting to be presented but these could span across the board to fit any and every individual concern of the educators in attendance. Expected topics may include literacy, technology, entrepreneurship, early childhood development/early years learning, and policy. Because the ultimate goal of EdCamps are to improve professional development, increase learning, and teaching potential, educators are put in the driver’s seat to choose what they want to learn or need to learn to teach their students. Kevin says, “We also want to start to learn about practices across the various curriculums represented in Dubai. So what can I learn from the British, American, Pakistani, Indian, French, German systems? How can we collaborate? Also, what can higher education learn from early years learning? What can educators learn from entrepreneurs? Dubai’s education system is so diverse. Teaching here I learned that but rarely had the opportunity to connect with my colleagues from other schools, levels.”

Because they want educators to take the lead, you’ll have to keep up with them through social media (or just attend yourself) to learn about what is going on throughout the day. To learn more, check out:

 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/edcampdubai
Email: edcampdubai@gmail.com
Website: http://edcampdubai.wordpress.com/
Wiki: http://edcamp.wikispaces.com/edcamp+Dubai
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edcampdubai 
Register to attend:  http://edcampdubai.eventbrite.com/

 

EdCamp Dubai will take place on Saturday 12 May 2012 at Bradenton Preparatory Academy Dubai from 8:30am-4pm.

 

Educationally Yours,

 

Emily Blackshire
Global Education Collaborator Intern
KDSL – Know.Do.Serve.Learn
Website: www.knowdoservelearn.org
Blog: http://www.kdsl.wordpress.com/
Email: emilyKDSL2007@gmail.com

 

Guest Blogger Katheryn Rivas’s A Step Forward for Free Worldwide Education: The University of the People

It is not uncommon to hear graduates today complain of loans that will cost them thousands, years after they see their first post-college paychecks. Isn’t it true that the United States President, himself, is still paying back his law school students loans? The cost of education today has many students feeling stuck, helpless, and left in the position to forego a college education altogether. And this is in the United States, one of the most highly-educated countries in the world. Thinking about the cost of education for children growing up in developing countries is definitely a depressing reality.

Introducing, the world’s first tuition-free global university. The University of the People, founded by entrepreneur and activist Shai Reshef, is the very first online university that is non-profit, open to anyone across the world with an internet connection, and completely tuition-free.

The University of the People relies on contributions of time and course materials by some of the best professors around the world and utilizes current technology to provide courses globally. U of People’s approach is working because the school is built on a non-profit format. Students are charged nominal fees for sending in an application (customary for any sort of university, private or public) and the organization is able to function at very low costs. The school also provides opportunities for disadvantaged students to wave application fees completely, depending on their country of origin.

The courses work based on e-learning and social networking techniques, and courses are taught online by volunteer professors. There is also an emphasis on collaborative, or peer-to-peer, learning, all done online.

The University of the People currently offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Computer Science and is planning to expand to all disciplines that can be adequately taught online.

While the effects of this higher education model are yet to be seen, the university is surely growing. UoPeople enrolled 180 students from 49 different countries in September of 2009. By January 2012, student enrollment had grown to over 1,300 students from 126 countries across the world.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online university.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

 

Virtual Book with KDSL and EDspired

 

KDSL and EDspired are teaming up to host our second virtual book club beginning in June 2012.  We will be reading:  The Flat World and Education: How America’s Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future (Multicultural Education) by Linda Darling-Hammond.

If you would like to join us, comment below or join the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/156208597840835/

For more information about the book check out:http://store.tcpress.com/0807749621.shtml

 

KDSL Blog Talk Radio in May with Reading Start

KDSL Blog Talk Radio will talk with people and organizations working locally, domestically, and globally on innovative work related to education. The next show will be on Tuesday May 15, 2012 from 6:00-6:15p.m. EST and will feature an interview with Rania Turk of Reading Start. Reading Start is a resource for all things related to reading with children. The blog is designed to provide parents across the Middle East, especially those interested in bilingual literacy in Arabic and English, with access to research on literacy development in the early years. For more information visit http://readingstart.org/.