ClassX Video Lessons Show Middle Schoolers How Digital Literacy Can Lead to Social Change With Global Problem Solvers
Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re exploring a fantastic tool called Global Problem Solvers, which is all about using digital skills to make a difference in the world. This tool is part of a project by Cisco, a company that wants to help people solve real-world problems.
Global Problem Solvers is a website that encourages students to think critically and work together to solve problems. It focuses on social entrepreneurship, which means finding creative ways to help people and communities. The site uses a method called design thinking, which involves understanding a problem, brainstorming solutions, and putting those ideas into action.
The site features a team of animated characters, each with their own special skills. These characters work together to tackle different challenges. There are two seasons of videos, each about 25 minutes long, that show how these characters solve problems. The videos are fun and educational, making learning exciting!
Teachers can find a lot of helpful materials on the site, like guides, storyboards, and worksheets. These resources help students follow along with the videos and think about what they’ve learned. The materials are available in four languages, making them accessible to many students around the world.
After watching the videos, students can use what they’ve learned to solve problems in their own communities. They can use technology to come up with solutions, just like the characters in the videos. This hands-on approach helps students understand how they can make a difference.
The site also includes interviews with real social entrepreneurs—people who are using their skills to help others in different fields. These stories show students how they can apply what they’ve learned in real life.
Global Problem Solvers is free to use and designed with teachers in mind. While it’s perfect for middle school students, it can be used in many different subjects. The first season is set in Malawi and focuses on building water wells, showing how local knowledge can solve community issues.
This tool is a great way to learn about digital literacy and social change. It encourages students to think about how they can use their skills to help others. You can find more information and reviews on Common Sense Education’s website.
We hope you check out Global Problem Solvers and see how you can make a difference in your community. Thanks for learning with us, and stay tuned for more exciting educational tools!
Imagine you are part of the Global Problem Solvers team. Design your own character with unique skills that can help solve a community problem. Draw your character and write a short description of their abilities and how they contribute to the team.
Think about a problem in your community that you would like to solve. Use the design thinking process: understand the problem, brainstorm possible solutions, and choose one to develop further. Share your ideas with the class and discuss how digital tools could help implement your solution.
Watch one episode of the Global Problem Solvers series. Afterward, write a reflection on what you learned about teamwork and problem-solving. How did the characters use their skills to address the challenge? What would you have done differently?
Find a local social entrepreneur or someone who is making a difference in your community. Prepare questions and conduct an interview to learn about their work and the impact they are making. Present your findings to the class and discuss how digital literacy plays a role in their efforts.
Work in groups to design a digital campaign that raises awareness about a social issue you care about. Use digital tools to create posters, videos, or social media posts. Present your campaign to the class and explain how it can lead to social change.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Hello, everybody! We’re back again with Chrissy and Tanner from Common Sense Education for our weekly EdTech series every Tuesday. Make sure to subscribe! We discuss tools that we’ve reviewed on our site, Common Sense Education, which is part of a larger global nonprofit known as Common Sense Media.
Today, Chris has a tool to talk about.
Thanks, Tanner! I want to share a site called Global Problem Solvers, sponsored by Cisco as part of their social responsibility initiative. You might hear my elderly cat in the background, but let’s focus on the topic at hand.
Global Problem Solvers helps students engage in critical thinking and collaboration around social entrepreneurship. This involves identifying problems affecting people and using a design thinking process to develop and implement solutions.
The site features a diverse team of problem solvers, each with unique skills. They have engaging animated videos that are about 25 minutes long, and there are two seasons available. The teacher resource page is well thought out, providing a teacher’s guide, storyboards with scripts, and worksheets for each episode.
The materials are designed for active viewing and accessibility, allowing students to take notes while watching. The content is available in four languages, which is fantastic.
While the worksheets may not be the strongest feature, they provide a way for students to interact with the episodes. After going through the material, students can be challenged to use technology to solve local problems, applying the skills they’ve learned.
Additionally, there are interviews with social entrepreneurs who are applying their skills in various fields, bringing real-world context to the lessons.
The site is free and designed with teachers in mind, particularly for middle school students, but it can be applied across various subject areas.
As for content updates, I’ve only seen the two seasons available, which still provide a substantial amount of material for teaching. The first season is set in Malawi and focuses on water wells, emphasizing the importance of using local knowledge to address community issues.
This attention to detail and commitment to inclusive practices is commendable. You can check out the review on Common Sense Education.
Wasn’t this one of our Common Sense selections for learning?
Yes, it is! It proudly bears our seal, which is our highest award for educational tools.
So, be sure to check it out on our site. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, like our videos, and stay tuned for more content. We appreciate your support!
See you again!
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This version maintains the core content while removing informal language and personal anecdotes for clarity and professionalism.
Digital Literacy – The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively using digital technology. – Students need digital literacy to research information for their social studies projects.
Social Change – Significant alterations over time in behavior patterns and cultural values and norms. – The civil rights movement was a major social change in American history.
Critical Thinking – The ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. – Critical thinking helps students analyze historical events and understand their impact.
Problem Solvers – Individuals who find solutions to difficult or complex issues. – Good problem solvers can come up with creative solutions to community challenges.
Entrepreneurship – The process of starting and running a new business or organization. – Entrepreneurship can drive social change by introducing innovative products and services.
Design Thinking – A method for solving complex problems by focusing on the needs of the user. – Design thinking encourages students to create solutions that improve their community.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Technology plays a crucial role in modern education by providing access to digital resources.
Resources – Materials, money, staff, and other assets that can be used to achieve a goal. – The library provides valuable resources for students working on their social studies assignments.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – Our community worked together to organize a recycling program to help the environment.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education is essential for understanding history and making informed decisions about the future.
