What's Going On?
Scouts are known for working their way through a program that allows them to earn badges showing their accomplishments. Today the concept of badging has moved past scouts and now is a part of digital learning. According to an article written in Digital Media and Learning, badging is defined as a visual representation of a skill or achievement. But, badging is much more than that - it is a unique, fun way in which an individual can exemplify his or her talents and success for others using digital media - e-portfolios, social platforms and websites. A badge allows users to show a visual representation of performance in a particular field. By displaying and sharing this information, you can show that a task has been completed and a benchmark achieved.
Digital badges are electronic images that an individual can earn through completion of a certain program, workshop, etc. - similar to a certificate of achievement in traditional models. In recent years, badges have become more popular in various industries where technology is advancing and methodologies, tools and access to online resources are growing with the use of virtual learning. In education, badging can be used for administrators, teachers and students to show step-by-step accomplishments. Badges serve as a demonstrated token to show a teacher’s success in certain areas.
The learning center (launching in August) features digital badging for Global Gateway teachers as they accomplish certain levels in their professional development. As outlined in this infographic, teachers can build a profile portfolio complete with badges as they progress through PD modules and can share their achievements via the VIF community, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
VIF is proud to announce the winners of the 2013 Global Educator Awards. This awards program recognizes outstanding educators who demonstrate a dedication and commitment to inspiring students, colleagues and community members to understand the world's languages, its cultures and the diverse perspectives of all people.
Bloomberg Businessweek has just announced that VIF International Education was selected for the 2013 B Corp Best for the World list. This designation places VIF in the top 10 percent of all Certified B Corporations signifying our positive social and environmental impact and strong leadership in the community. VIF was recognized with 66 other companies across 20 countries and 25 industries for our role in changing the outlook on success in business. Businessweek's article, Finding the World's 'Best' Social Entrepreneurs, outlines the criteria used to evaluate companies who are making a positive impact in their local communities and beyond.
Congratulations to all involved in helping VIF become a leader in redefining success in business!
Education Week recently released an article, Language Education We Can Use, written by David Young and JB Buxton. Young and Buxton call for changes in the strategies used for language learning. To drive those changes, we must: increase dual language/immersion strategies starting at the elementary level; emphasize middle and high school second language continuation for students involved in elementary school dual language programs; and offer students the ability to employ another language in a more usable and survival-level ability.
Congratulations to sixth grade students of C. T. Koontz Intermediate – one of our Global Gateway schools in Buncombe County - for their global outreach!
After learning of Malala Yousafzai— a Pakistani girl who was shot in the head for speaking against the oppression of women—students of Koontz Intermediate were given a writing assignment. Each student was asked to write a letter to Malala and express his/her feelings regarding Malala’s experience.
These letters are being taken to the president of Pakistan via former Prime Minister of G.B., Gordon Brown, and the president has agreed to deliver the letters himself to Malala where she is recovering. Congratulations to the students and teachers of C. T. Koontz Intermediate for truly involving themselves in global understanding and making a difference around the world!
Twenty-two North Carolina Splash schools in 12 districts are being recognized by the Howard N. Lee Institute for significant accomplishments in student achievement with the 2012 Champions of Equity and Opportunity in Education Award.
These schools, through their integration of VIF's Splash language immersion programs, showcase a strong commitment to closing gaps for all students by improving student achievement, literacy and language acquisition.
(Photo caption: Vicky Kim, director of programs and services at VIF, and Kevin Smith (left), VIF's Splash program manager, accepted the 2012 Champions of Equity and Opportunity in Education Award from Howard N. Lee on behalf of all Splash schools.)
The winning team of the Global Educator Challenge was featured on North Carolina Now on Wednesday, August 1.
Whitney Maxwell, Amy Brazaski, Allison Livingston and Gail Shen joined host Mitchell Lewis to discuss their participation in the Global Gateway program, their recent study visit to Costa Rica and the incredible effect that infusing global education into everyday practice has on their students.
The four teachers were chosen as the winners of the Global Educator Challenge based on a proposal that included a global lesson plan and evidence of international education in their classrooms. The team teaches on the second grade Global Gateway team at Morris Grove Elementary School in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Ken and Debbie Gaither, parents of a Western Union Elementary student, wrote an enthusiastic letter to Union County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis. In the letter, they expressed their pleasure with their daughter’s international experience in a Global Gateway classroom this year.
Kennedie, the Gaithers' daughter, was a student in Michele Dyroff’s class this year. Mrs. Dyroff came to the United States with VIF last August and joined the fourth grade Global Gateway team at Western Union Elementary in Waxhaw, N.C.
VIF's international teachers and programs in North Carolina outperform all traditional teacher entry portals in K-8 math, science and reading, says a recently released study out of the University of North Carolina.
“We work hard to select the best teachers from around the world, and deliver innovative professional development for the teachers here in the U.S.,” said Mark Otter, Chief Academic Officer for VIF International Education. “We do this to help students, and it gets results.”