NPDL is a global partnership, initiated by Michael Fullan. It’s purpose is to develop new pedagogies for ‘passionalised learning’.
In his work ‘A Rich Seam’ ( 2014), Michael Fullan describes how in ‘New Pedagogies’ students use technology to (co)create meaningful new knowledge.
He describes a shift from the 21st century skills to Future Skills, with more emphasis on the development of the student as a ‘global citizen‘.
We strongly support Fullan’s thoughts about ‘Teaching for humanity‘. In global partnership, NPDL students and teachers focus on acquiring significant knowledge and are practicing competencies, necessary to function in future society.
And that’s where the Learning Circles methodology fits in perfectly.
In a Learning Circle students learn with each other, about each other and collaborate to create a deeper understanding of various topics, issues and themes.
Since 1998 the Global Teenager Project (GTP) offers Learning Circles in over 40 countries. It has become a vibrant learning community and global education network, helping to empower teachers and students around the world to explore new ways to connect, share, learn and collaborate.
A Learning Circle is a virtual global classroom where students and teachers can work and learn together with their peers around the world. By sharing experiences and knowledge in a wiki, they develop insight into each others lives. Using the Internet, email and social media, students communicate around specific Children’s Rights themes such as: the right to food, security, education and health. Working in a Learning Circle contributes to growth of student engagement, professional collaborative learning, global citizenship and future skills.
Students are learning with the world, not just about the world. That makes each Learning Circle a unique learning experience for students and teachers.
In the Learning Circles Children’s Rights, students are challenged to wonder, question, explore and share. With their stories and contributions, they connect with students at school and abroad. To create ownership of learning, students will set their own learning intentions and success criteria and give and receive feedback.
By using peerScholar as tool for peer reflection, students will reflect on their own and their peers’ learning process. A focus on peer learning and Future Skills in the Learning Circles leads to visible learning outcomes and pleasure in learning in a global connection.
Every child has rights, enshrined in the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) signed by almost all countries in the world. How is it possible for children to understand this treaty, which consists of 54 articles? Do children all over the world, also those with physical, emotional and social challenges not all have the same rights and what is the actual situation for children? These critical questions and many more, are raised in the Learning Circles. Addressed to students in a way that challenges them to look further and deepen their learning. Students ask each other questions about children’s rights, telling their own stories and those of others and share what they found.
In 2018 NPDL Netherlands and the Global Teenager Project will offer two parallel Learning Circles:
– for students aged 12-14 years old
– for students aged 15-17 years old.
See the timeline for all Learning Circles from February 12 – June 03 2018
The fee for joining a Learning Circle is € 395,- per class or group.
Students, teachers and schools from NPDL schools all over the world are welcome to join!
Bob Hofman
Global Teenager Project Director
bob@globalteenager.org
As global learning innovator Bob has spent 25 years teaching and as consultant, he conducted professional development in more than 40 countries. He also holds the chair for the iEARN-Netherlands Foundation and is an assembly member of iEARN International. As executive director of the Global Teenager Project he is involved in a high-quality learning network. Bob is also the European representative for peerScholar. Specialties: Initiating and creating international educational collaborative projects, with a focus on community based learning and formative assessment.
Manon van Herwijnen
Learning Circles Coordinator
manon@globalteenager.org
As a former teacher in special and primary education Manon has expanded her skills in coordination of several projects and became facilitator for Dutch schools in the Learning Circles since 2012. She is now designing and coordinating the International Circles with several themes. Since 2013 Manon is member of the Dutch peerScholar team with a focus on coaching educators to use peer learning in challenging education, that enables students to learn, wonder and explore together and to take more responsibility for their own learning.
