About/Resources

Future teachers discuss their philosophies of teaching and learning in a global society, and explore the integration of technology and global learning networks into their classrooms to better serve students of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

This project seeks to transform our classrooms and schools by transforming the way teachers are trained. Future teachers gain direct experience with global learning networks as they engage in dialogue with their peers about teaching in the 21st century.

The Future Teachers forum is a meeting place for university professors of education and the future teachers in their classes. Three kinds of discussions take place: 1) future teachers from around the world compare perspectives on creating effective and equitable schools and classrooms that will better meet the needs of all students, 2) future teachers share their reflections as they learn first-hand about iEARN's projects as observers, or participants, and 3) professors of teacher education exchange ideas and resources for integrating global learning networks into their courses in different content areas.

The Future Teachers Project was launched during the 1999 iEARN annual conference in Puerto Rico and has been developed collaboratively during subsequent iEARN conferences to offer future teachers direct experience with innovative technology use and global learning early in their careers.

- Teams of participating future teachers introduce themselves and their cultural backgrounds through the creation and exchange of "We Are From" poems
- Future teachers read excerpts from the work of Paulo Freire or Celestin and Elise Freinet and respond to guiding questions
- Future teachers exchange ideas about teaching philosophies and make recommendations for how teachers can promote collaborative and critical inquiry with their students.
Other possible topics/activities:
- Live "chats" to discuss the topic
- Exchange of ideas about the integration global learning networks into the curriculum,
- Sharing of experiences with project-based learning while observing, participating in or helping to facilitate iEARN's projects,
- Discussion of ideas and strategies to promote greater understanding of diversity and equity in the schools,
- Other topics of interest to the participating professors and future teachers.

Creation of discussion forums to facilitate dialogue among future teachers; sharing of resources and strategies for addressing issues of equity and integrating global learning networks in teacher preparation programs.

This project provides opportunities to future teachers from around the world to share experiences, define their teaching philosophies, and to explore how schools worldwide can better serve students of all cultures and languages.

Connected to Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning, of the 2015 United Nations Goals.

Teacher preparation in all curriculum areas. Integration of Technology into the Curriculum; Language Arts Teaching Methodologies; TESOL Methods; Democratic Classroom Management; Inclusive and Diversity-Responsive Education; among others.