3. Designing Global Projects

What you’ll learn

Designing a global project means guiding students through a structured collaboration process that connects learning goals, intercultural exchange, and meaningful outcomes.

This article offers a clear step-by-step guide to designing and completing global collaboration projects on Class2Class.org. Whether you are facilitating your first collaboration or building on previous experience, this framework helps you plan with purpose and confidence.

You will explore four key phases of a global project, supported by seven practical steps—from defining the project to sharing results. Use it as your roadmap to move from ideas to action, keep students engaged throughout the collaboration, and make learning outcomes visible.

This video introduces the lifecycle of a global collaboration project:

The Global Project Structure

Global collaboration projects follow a clear and organized structure that helps teachers plan intentionally, support students effectively, and keep learning aligned with purpose and impact.

This framework is organized into four phases, which together include seven practical steps used throughout the project.

Phase 1 — Project Definition

This phase focuses on clarity, alignment, and preparation.

Step 1 — Preparation

Teachers introduce global collaboration, establish a safe and respectful learning environment, and prepare students for working with a partner classroom.

At this stage, the student understands:

• What global collaboration is
• How will they work with peers from another context
• And how to participate responsibly online.

Step 2 — Project Definition

Teachers work together with their students and with a partner teacher to define:

• The project topic and purpose
• Learning objectives
• Timelines and communication methods
• And expected outcomes.

Students are introduced to the project goals and understand why the collaboration matters.

Outcome of Phase 1:

A shared project framework and prepared students.

Phase 2 — Project Execution

This phase brings global collaboration into action.

Step 3 — Research

Students explore the topic through research, discussion, and local inquiry. They share perspectives and findings with their partner class to build shared understanding.

Step 4 — Proposal

Students transform research into ideas for action. Together with their partner class, they discuss possibilities and agree on a shared proposal.

Step 5 — Team Formation & Implementation

Students work in collaborative teams with defined roles. They create shared outcomes such as digital products, campaigns, presentations, or initiatives. Teachers guide communication, support collaboration, and ensure inclusive participation.

Outcome of Phase 2:

Active collaboration and shared creation across classrooms.

Phase 3 — Project Reflection

Step 6 — Evaluation & Reflection

Students reflect on:

• What they learned about the topic
• How they collaborated
• Challenges and successes
• And skills developed through the project.

Teachers facilitate reflection and connect student experiences to learning objectives.

Outcome of Phase 3:

Clear understanding of learning, growth, and collaboration.

Phase 4 — Project Dissemination

Step 7 — Dissemination

Students select evidence of their work and share their project with an audience, such as their school community or partner classroom. They communicate both their outcomes and their learning process, and celebrate the collaboration.

Outcome of Phase 4:

Visible learning, student voice, and shared recognition of impact.

Supporting your project with practical guides

This module is supported by two helpful resources designed to guide both teachers and students throughout the project lifecycle. Download them to have a PDF guide to guide your students in international projects:

These guides are intended to be used during the project, not only as preparation.

Additional Resources

This PDF brings together the four phases and seven steps of the global project lifecycle into one clear and practical resource.