FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do students and teachers participate?

Students crave learning experiences that have relevance, meaning, and purpose. The In Our Global Village (IOGV) process deepens and makes more tangible the concept of “community” for students. They engage in action research, getting to know the people, the history, and the current daily experiences that make their community vibrant and unique. Teachers report that students go far beyond expectations in how they apply themselves and work with others to create a book. It enlivens and transforms their academic work to know that their words will reach a global audience, their photographs and drawings will be seen by youth all over the world, and the stories of their “village” matter.

What kinds of books do students create as part of In Our Global Village?

Every IOGV book is unique, capturing the diverse ways students and young people see their “village.” Some books offer a collection of community “snapshots” similar to the original book written by Awet Secondary School students. Others are more targeted: for example, a collection of oral histories from local elders and a bilingual field guide to birds. The design of IOGV is meant to be adaptable to any learning environment, curricular objective, and student ability.

How many books have been produced so far?

Over 50 IOGV projects are currently underway or complete, both in the United States and internationally. The response has been a testament to the educational value that teachers recognize as inherent to the process.

How do I join?

Please register your interest by e-mailing inourglobalvillage@whatkidscando.org. You will receive, in turn, e-mails and communications about the program.

What are the requirements to participate?

There is no “right” process for creating your own IOGV publication. We offer, however, the following guidelines.

 


Use the book In Our Village as a model. The book provides ideas and a ready form to follow.

Facilitate a student-run process whereby students

  1. •Design the focus, themes, and structure of their book. Learn the process of gathering collective voices.

  2. •Invite participation by students as a collaboration.

  3. •Review specific skills such as active listening, asking probing or follow-up questions, and taking notes or recording the interview. 

  4. •Include photographs, if possible. Video is also an option.


Make cross-curricular connections. Consider how the book can accentuate and integrate many subjects. The students who wrote Walking Through New Orleans In Our Global Village knew that in addition to weaving social studies, and science into their essays, they had to include math in each chapter, too.

Include a description of IOGV, your process, and how other groups can join. We hope you will share your group’s story in your book about how this book came to be, much like the preface of the original In Our Village book. We also request that you include our proposed copy that tells about this program. (See ‘Publishing guidelines and tips”)

Produce your book. It can be bound in whatever manner is easiest and most available, such as using staples or spirals or working with an online publisher. Students can investigate options and create their own methods.

Share your book. Print copies of your book to share with others in your school and community. We also ask that you provide two copies to Barbara Cervone at WKCD and four copies to Cathryn Berger Kaye at CBK Associates. Barbara Cervone will send twocopies to Awet Secondary School for students to read. Cathryn Berger Kaye will share her copies with students and teachers embarking on their own IOGV book.

Submit an electronic file to What Kids Can Do to be uploaded to the IOGV website. We post new IOGV books as we receive them: as downloadable PDFs (usually compressed versions) and "flip books" (high resolution version of the book that readers can flip through online).

Is there a cost?

Participation is free and open to all interested parties. While there is usually a cost to produce the books, schools have been most inventive in raising funds, seeking grants and identifying community partners to assist and support publishing efforts.

                                         

Frequently asked questions continued

 

How can my students participate?

In Our Global Village: Local Action, Global Connections