Meet our Global Ambassadors: Jalpa Sheth from India

This week, meet one of our Global Ambassadors from India, Jalpa Sheth! She teaches English in an international school in India. Learn more about her and why she loves PenPal Schools!

How long have you been using PenPal Schools and what do you love most about it?
I've been using PenPal Schools for 7-8 months. I use PenPal Schools for collaboration and incorporating into my lessons (units) in any topic that relates to the projects.

The most that I loved is the interaction of the PenPals with appropriate online conduct. [This kind of] online behaviour is the need in this digital world for all young users. Other than that the contextual content helps students to comprehend, [and] the projects are way interesting for students to enhance their knowledge. My students loved to have ownership of their learning and sharing platform,  and [learning] about different cultures inculcates in them to be an inquirer.

Jalpa's 3rd grade students collaborate on PenPal Schools

How has learning with PenPals impacted your students?
It did impact on my students learning and [they] got emotionally connected with the PenPals. Specifically [my] world language class got the authentic PenPals to communicate and acquaint unfamiliar or familiar words, knowing each other's culture. [In] the other project, Joining Forces for the Environment, [students were] making connections as they inquired into the different Biomes and factors affecting the environment, having a meaningful learning engagement through PenPal Schools.  

What is your favorite PenPal Schools project?
Joining Forces for the Environment! [My students were] making connections as they inquired into the different Biomes and factors affecting the environment [while] having a meaningful learning engagement through PenPal Schools.

Students practice reading, writing, and digital communication

What other ways do you connect your students with the world?
We use Skype, Facetime, Google apps, Google Hangouts, Seesaw collaboration projects if teachers are interested, etc.

What advice do you have for teachers that are new to PenPal Schools?
I would recommend starting with a group of few students to get familiar with the functionality of the tool and understand how to monitor students’ interactions with their PenPals. Once they're on board (I mean before the match date) set the expectations of the lessons and make them aware how are we going to use this tool for enriching our learning experiences.

Captivating updates #classroomclips @ois_primary Ss building learning community w/ @PenpalSchools #edtech #globaled pic.twitter.com/5zCv4SYP0B

— Jalpasheth (@Jalpasheth7) November 22, 2017

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I were to travel anywhere in the world, I do have several location preferences for different aspects but I select Dubai at present [because] I'm currently looking for an opportunity to work abroad. Having said that means growing, learning, sharing, collaborating, exploring, reflecting is a part and parcel of an educator's life.

You can get in touch with Jalpa in our global teacher forums, Facebook group for PenPal Schools Global Educators, via email at jalpa.sheth8@gmail.com or jalpa.sheth@obeori-is.org, or on Twitter at @Jalpasheth7. Thanks Jalpa for being a great Global Ambassador!

Are you an innovative global educator? Learn more about our Global Ambassador program here and apply today!