Forward Thinking on International Linking

Aims of this presentation What is Rafi.ki Kidogo? What is it for? Who runs it? How can you use it? What are the benefits?

What is Rafi.ki Kidogo? A global online community that links schools across the world. Rafi.ki Kidogo is designed to support teachers’ development of the global dimension. It has 4 features to help achieve this: Partner Finding - hundreds of schools to talk to, trained facilitators to help facilitate links. Educational Projects - curriculum linked educational projects with lesson plans and resources which you can work on with your partner school/s. Communication Tools - including video conferencing, , chat rooms, forums and a unique ‘drag and drop’ web page design tool Safety - Rafi.ki is password protected and all users are vetted. All communication is recorded and moderated. Anne Steventon Teacher Moat Community College

Objectives of Rafi.ki Kidogo o To help schools identify and develop links with other schools across the world and to achieve the International School Award. o A tool for using ICT across the curriculum. o A tool for developing language skills. o Encourage a participatory approach to learning including the development of soft skills and personalised learning opportunities. o Ensure learning is carried out in a safe environment. o To create more caring, understanding, responsible citizens who can shape a better world by collaborating with schools across the world on projects raising global awareness and equipping them with the skills to live in a global society.

How can you use it? o Your class can participate in curriculum linked projects which cover all subjects in the curriculum and come with lesson plans and resources. o You can find new international partners or work with your existing ones. o You can use the communication tools (video conferencing, ,chat rooms and forums) to collaborate safely. o You can use it to find language partners and practice speaking/listening. o It can also be used to support Gifted and Talented.

Who runs it? Rafi.ki is run by a charity called Gemin-i.org supported by the DCSF and British Council that has been working with schools globally for over 10 years. Rafi.ki is not for profit and the subscription fee for UK schools helps pay for the participation of a less privileged school in a developing country.

Examples of Work In a little over a year the secondary school version of Rafi.ki has grown to link over 900 schools in 100 countries. The primary version is expected to grow to this level in the first year. Rafi.ki Kidogo is designed to be flexible and allow schools to use the built-in tools how they like. On the following pages are examples of the work three of our schools have done recently. Friendly facilitators will ensure you make the most of Rafi.ki Kidogo. They can help you find partners, join projects and even create your own!

Moat Community College Leicester Prior to joining Rafi.ki this school had never established international links. Set up after school Rafi.ki club. Are building it into Yr 7 curriculum next year. Teachers at Moat Community College have now created a project on social exclusion which 16 schools around the world are working on. Together they will create a social inclusion ‘garden’ in the school.

Emmbrook School Wokingham Rafi.ki was introduced to a class of 13/14 year olds (in their third year of learning German). In consultation with their facilitator a link with Katharineum zu Lubeck (a German Gymnasium) has been established. Pupils spoke to their contemporaries in Germany and wrote up their findings. Matthew King Language Teacher The Emmbrook School

King John School Essex Since joining Rafi.ki King John School has: Established ongoing links in 5 continents. Used Rafi.ki to build internationalism into KS3 Citizenship curriculum and Geography. Used Rafi.ki as evidence for achieving their COPE at KS4 as well as the full International School Award. Hina Robinson Head of Internationalism King John School

Benefits Some of the key benefits of using Rafi.ki Kidogo: It will allow your school to achieve all 3 levels of the International School Award. Raising Attainment. In a recent evaluation 75% of teachers said it helped them deliver the curriculum and that it had taught their students the 8 key concepts of living in global society (as identified by the DCSF). Increased student engagement/motivation. In the same survey 96% of teachers said that Rafi.ki is able to add to the motivation of the most disengaged learners and 95% said that Rafi.ki is more engaging than traditional lessons. It will broaden your pupils’ horizons and prepare them for a global world!