What is the course about?
Course structure
There are six sections in the course. Each section begins with a summary page; use these to plan your own path through the course according to your own interests and needs.
There are 3–5 key activities plus some extension activities in each section. Extension activities are optional and involve consulting with colleagues and undertaking internet and classroom research.
There is a digital workbook in each activity for you to record your thoughts and findings. Entries in the digital workbook will be saved automatically and can be referenced and printed out.
At the end of each section there is a reflective activity which asks you to reflect on the aim of the section. If you successfully complete and submit at least 4 of these you will receive a Certificate of Completion from DGSP (here).
The course sections
Activity 5.2 in Preparing for partnership will help you decide whether to recommend a new school partnership for your school. You can exit the course at this point if you decide not to take the idea forward at this time.
Section aims and activities
First ideas about partnerships
Aims: Explore your ideas about school partnerships and find out about the features of global dimension partnerships.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | What do I already know? |
| 2. | What do others think? |
| 3. | The features of a global dimension partnership |
| 4. | Opportunities and pitfalls |
| 5. | Extension activity – Consult with colleagues |
| 6. | Reflection |
Motives for partnership
Aims: Explore your own and, if possible, your colleagues’ motivations for wishing to form a school partnership.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | Find out about a partner country |
| 2. | My motives for partnering |
| 3. | Charitable partnerships |
| 4. | Extension activity – Internet research |
| 5. | Reflection |
Perceptions
Aims: Explore the perceptions that many of us have about people and places and the implications of overly simplistic stereotypes for learning.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | What perceptions do we have? |
| 2. | Changing perceptions |
| 3. | Confirming perceptions? |
| 4. | Do stereotypes matter? |
| 5. | Extension activity – Classroom research |
| 6 | Extension activity – Internet research |
| 7. | Reflection |
A global dimension curriculum
Aims: Find out about the contribution a global dimension can make to the curricula and ethos of schools and how a school partnership can enhance this.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | Global issues |
| 2. | Curriculum grids |
| 3. | Partnership projects |
| 4. | How global is your school? |
| 5. | Why is a global dimension important? |
| 6. | Extension activity – Classroom research |
| 7. | Extension activity – Internet research |
| 8. | Reflection |
Preparing for partnership
Aims: Decide whether to recommend that your school goes ahead with a new partnership. If you decide to go ahead then this section will help you prepare for partnership. If you decide not to go ahead then you can exit the course at this point.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | What are your views about a new school partnership? |
| 2. | Should we go ahead or not? (Users who decide to not to go ahead may exit here) |
| 3. | Going ahead |
| 4. | Foundations for successful partnerships |
| 5. | What will you do next? |
| 6. | Reflection |
Finding a partner
Aims: Decide how you are going to find a partner school.
| Section summary | |
| The activities | |
| 1. | Global Gateway |
| 2. | Mediated partnerships |
| 3. | Involving wider communities |
| 4. | Reflection |