9th International Symposium

CoSN's 9th Annual
International Symposium

Harnessing Web 2.0 for Global Understanding in Education

February 28, 2010
8:00 am - 5:15 pm
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC

Web 2.0 collaborative tools in education hold the potential to bridge national and cultural divides and remove barriers created by time and location. Yet to date, formal education has largely failed to harness the power and promise of these new tools to create greater global awareness and understanding.

The 2010 CoSN International Symposium will explore major efforts to foster global understanding particularly with the use of Web 2.0 tools. The Symposium will also consider organizational and logistical issues which hamper these efforts. Presentations by and conversations with policymakers from around the world will highlight ways in which global understanding can become a serious and widespread component in teaching and learning in schools.

The Framework for 21st Century Skills by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills makes the compelling case that global awareness is a core theme which must be woven into the basic curriculum. Learning from and working collaboratively with individuals representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts are essential skills. The time has passed when the vast majority of citizens in any country can be isolated from other countries, cultures and peoples without disadvantage to their personal and national well-being. Increasingly students who leave our schools without the skills to work and live in a world of different cultures, languages, traditions, and beliefs will be at a serious disadvantage to thrive in the 21st century.

Join us in a global conversation about how we can use ICT/collaborative tools to develop global awareness and understanding in schools, and play a role in defining a compelling educational agenda.