As many educators already know, teaching tolerance, empathy, and multi-cultural understanding is important now more than ever. Yet too few children around the world have the opportunity to meet someone from another community, let alone another country. How can you connect your classroom globally?
Empatico, a free, online tool for teachers, recently launched to ensure as many students as possible get to experience what it’s like to connect with others across the world and walk away with a greater understanding of each other. Through standards-based activities and live exchanges, students will explore similarities and differences with curiosity and kindness, while practicing communication and leadership skills needed to succeed in an interdependent world.
A one-stop shop for virtual exchange
Empatico matches classrooms through an easy-to-use online platform. The platform combines live video technology, seamless connections (meaning teachers are automatically matched and can communicate within the platform), and high quality activities that are research-based and designed specifically for 8-10 year olds – all in one place. Best of all, Empatico also is (and always will be) completely free to use.
How does Empatico work?
Empatico recently launched in English for classrooms with students ages 8-10. To start, sign up on Empatico.org. You’ll need an internet connection and a computer with a camera. Matches happen automatically between classrooms at least 100 miles apart. They are based on the availability and activity preferences teachers share when they sign up too.
Empatico activities are designed to promote greater understanding of similarities and differences and help students build character skills like curiosity and kindness. Currently Empatico offers four activities on universal topics – like play, weather, geography, and students’ contributions to their communities – to expand kids’ world view beyond their classroom and community. Over the coming months, they plan to collect feedback to continue to improve the tool and release more content and features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M-hlF9-lJg&feature=youtu.be
Sign up to help shape the Empatico experience
Empatico is in the early stages of development. They’ve been working with leading technologists, passionate educators, and global education experts to create the beta version. Now they’re looking for feedback from teachers to make sure it is the best tool possible for classrooms. While they continue to grow, you can sign up (for free) today at empatico.org.
Want to learn more?
Please check out this 90 second video or sign up for a free demo to learn more about how Empatico works. You can also explore the research behind Empatico activities or visit their Facebook and Twitter pages to get the latest!
