Author: Empatico Staff
Empatico, a free learning tool, helps students discover what life is like for their peers around the globe by matching classrooms through an easy-to-use online platform. Think of it as a one-stop shop for virtual exchange. The platform combines live video technology, seamless connections (meaning teachers are automatically matched and can communicate within the platform), and high quality activities that are research-based and designed specifically for 8-10 year olds - all in one place.
Teachers will save time as they no longer have to toggle between applications to find other interested teachers, schedule a connection, and find the right activities. Best of all, Empatico is (and will always be) completely free for teachers to use.
Teachers will save time as they no longer have to toggle between applications to find other interested teachers, schedule a connection, and find the right activities. Best of all, Empatico is (and will always be) completely free for teachers to use.
How does Empatico work?
Empatico recently launched in English for classrooms with students ages 8-10, and they’re looking for passionate educators to try the product this fall. To get started, teachers can sign up on empatico.org. They’ll need an internet connection and a computer with a camera. Matches happen automatically between classrooms at least 100 miles apart. They are based on the availability and activity preferences teachers share when they sign up.
Empatico activities are designed to promote greater understanding of similarities and differences and help students build character skills like curiosity and kindness. Currently Empatico offers four activities on universal topics – like play, weather, geography, and students’ contributions to their communities – to expand kids’ world view beyond their classroom and community. Over the coming months, they plan to collect feedback to continue to improve the tool and release more content and features.
Why is Empatico limited to third and fourth graders?
8 to 10-year-olds represent a unique opportunity. Science shows that kids in this age range are in their empathy “sweet spot.” This means they haven’t developed deeply-rooted biases, but are starting to ask questions about who they are and where they fit into the world. Giving them an opportunity to develop this curiosity and have positive experiences with diverse people can influence how they perceive others in the future.
Empatico aspires to make global exchanges a normal part of kids’ educational journey; hoping that someday it will be a widely-adopted way for kids to connect with one another and explore their similarities and differences. They are starting in English with 3rd and 4th graders, and will expand to other languages and ages from there.
Want to learn more?
Please check out this 90 second video to learn more about how Empatico works as well as the research behind the activities. You can also visit them on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest.
Empatico recently launched in English for classrooms with students ages 8-10, and they’re looking for passionate educators to try the product this fall. To get started, teachers can sign up on empatico.org. They’ll need an internet connection and a computer with a camera. Matches happen automatically between classrooms at least 100 miles apart. They are based on the availability and activity preferences teachers share when they sign up.
Empatico activities are designed to promote greater understanding of similarities and differences and help students build character skills like curiosity and kindness. Currently Empatico offers four activities on universal topics – like play, weather, geography, and students’ contributions to their communities – to expand kids’ world view beyond their classroom and community. Over the coming months, they plan to collect feedback to continue to improve the tool and release more content and features.
Why is Empatico limited to third and fourth graders?
8 to 10-year-olds represent a unique opportunity. Science shows that kids in this age range are in their empathy “sweet spot.” This means they haven’t developed deeply-rooted biases, but are starting to ask questions about who they are and where they fit into the world. Giving them an opportunity to develop this curiosity and have positive experiences with diverse people can influence how they perceive others in the future.
Empatico aspires to make global exchanges a normal part of kids’ educational journey; hoping that someday it will be a widely-adopted way for kids to connect with one another and explore their similarities and differences. They are starting in English with 3rd and 4th graders, and will expand to other languages and ages from there.
Want to learn more?
Please check out this 90 second video to learn more about how Empatico works as well as the research behind the activities. You can also visit them on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest.
