Start international collaboration with a partner classroom

Are you ready to start your first international collaboration project? Begin with a shared task that your class and a partner class can both complete. This guide takes you from that first decision to a prepared project space and a first exchange.

1. Choose the purpose of the international collaboration

Decide what students will learn with another class. You might compare everyday life, explore a shared global issue or develop a response to a problem. For a first exchange, choose a question and a contribution that both classes can manage.

In the current Class2Class framework, teachers plan a shared question and students exchange perspectives and work together. Use that purpose to choose the activities; the project does not need to cover every theme at once.

• Name the learning goal and the question students will explore.
• Choose the student age range, collaboration language and support needed.
• Decide what each class will share and how it will respond.
• Allow time for preparation, the exchange and reflection.

2. Find a partner teacher and agree the exchange

Find a partner teacher in Connect. Discuss the topic, language, availability and timing before the classes begin. Agree whether you will exchange work asynchronously or also arrange a live meeting.

Send a short proposal: the class age range, the topic, the first task and the dates when your class can take part. Ask the partner teacher what would make the exchange practical in their school.

3. Create and review the project plan

Open the project-creation options in your signed-in account. Enter your topic and goal, then review the project description, learning objectives and activity plan. The Project Creation Assistant guide explains how to develop these parts of your project.

Use the Project Creation Assistant to develop the plan. Review and edit the proposed title, description, objectives and activities so they fit your students. Add a relevant cover image with the right permission to use it.

• Check the age range, collaboration language and start date.
• Review the activity order, materials, time needed and expected student contribution.
• Choose the visibility that fits the agreed collaboration, and check which teachers should be invited.

4. Prepare the project space and student participation

Use the project page to make the goal, activities and next exchange clear to everyone taking part. Invite the agreed partner teacher and prepare student participation through your school's normal arrangements.

• Keep the shared goal and activity instructions easy to find.
• Attach the materials students need to the relevant activity.
• Agree where students will post work and how the partner class will respond.
• Give students useful roles and show them how to ask for help.

The First International Project Guide gives you preparation ideas for introducing the partner class and setting expectations before the first exchange.

5. Begin with a manageable first exchange

Start with a short introduction or a shared question. Let each class contribute something the other can respond to, such as a written answer, picture or brief presentation. Check that students understand what to share and how to reply.

Use the classroom collaboration checklist to coordinate the before, during and after stages. If one class needs more time, agree a new response date with the partner teacher.

6. Reflect on the exchange and close the project

Ask students what they learned about the topic and the other class, and what they would try differently. Share a final message with the partner class and keep one practical note for your next exchange.