Freedom and Power in the Digital Age: Digital Tools for an International Classroom

How can educators best use the latest digital tools in their classrooms? How can teachers connect to resources around the world using Google products? Which tools are most effective at engaging learners? On September 25, 2014, Jamie Hill, analyst on Google’s Public Affairs Team, introduced teachers to Google’s online tools and resources for the classroom. These included “Connected Classrooms”, “Constitute”, “Google Maps for Education”, and more. Then teachers joined a public program with Ben Blink, senior policy analyst and founding member of Google’s free expression and international relations team. Ben discussed the crucial role of online freedom for protecting and promoting democracy, human rights, and economic growth internationally. This packet explores this topic in countries such as North Korea and China and includes articles, lesson plans, tools for online learning, organizations focused on the issue of Internet censorship and online freedom of expression, and more. We have also included the Washington State Educational Technology Standards.

Compiled by: Amy Lutterloh, Abby Pioch, and Charlotte Guard