#38 Global Collaboration for Social Good with Dr. Jennifer Williams of Take Action Global

About today’s guest

Dr. Jennifer Williams is the founder of Teach SDGs and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Take Action Global. She is a thought leader in using educational technology to promote global perspectives and social good. As an educator and author of Teach Boldly: Using EdTech for Social Good, Dr. Williams champions the role of technology in fostering equity, diversity, and social action in education. Connect with Dr. Williams on X (formerly Twitter) at @JenWilliamsEDU.

In this episode, Seth, Allyson, Tami and Dr. Williams discuss:

• How educational technology (EdTech) can be harnessed for social good, particularly in the context of global education and climate action.
• The work of Take Action Global (TAG), a nonprofit dedicated to climate education and social impact, and its programs that connect teachers and students in over 160 countries.
• The role of connection in EdTech, emphasizing how global collaborations can help build identity and foster social impact among educators and students.
• The importance of community-driven initiatives, such as Climate Action Day, where students, educators, and global leaders come together to focus on climate education and action.
• How TAG’s community programs offer resources, frameworks, and support for educators interested in integrating climate education into their classrooms.
• The unique challenges and learning opportunities that arise when educators and students from diverse cultural backgrounds engage in virtual exchange and distance learning.

Key takeaways:

• Educational technology offers powerful tools for global connection and social impact, enabling educators and students to collaborate on important issues like climate action.
• Take Action Global’s community-driven approach supports teachers in integrating climate education into various content areas, fostering a sense of global citizenship among students.
• Programs like Climate Action Day and the Earth Project app provide accessible entry points for educators looking to engage their students in meaningful, action-oriented learning experiences.
• Cross-cultural collaboration in distance learning requires careful instructional design and a focus on equity and access, but it also offers profound opportunities for shared learning and empathy.

Learn more:

• Visit Take Action Global to explore the organization’s programs and resources.
• Check out the Earth Project app to start tracking climate actions and engaging students in climate education.
• Explore the Climate Action Project and other community programs to get involved in global learning initiatives.
• Subscribe to Why Distance Learning for more insights into how technology is transforming education. Available on all major podcast platforms.

Episode Links:

1. Dr. Jennifer Williams on X (formerly Twitter): @JenWilliamsEDU
2. Take Action Global: takeactionglobal.org
3. The Earth Project App: Available on App Store and Google Play
4. Climate Action Project: takeactionglobal.org/climate-action-project
5. Build the Change (Lego Group Partnership): lego.com/en-us/sustainability/build-the-change
6. Teach Boldly: Using EdTech for Social Good (Book by Dr. Jennifer Williams): Available on Amazon

Host Links:

1. Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.
2.