Three partners--MapWorks Learning, Teachers Without Borders, and Ushahidi--have created Narrative Atlas, a cross-language, open source digital platform that introduces new ways of learning into global education. Narrative Atlas supports student-led inquiry, and emphasizes mapping and other visual media to advance cross-cultural understanding . Narrative Atlas provides guidance to teachers on the design of learning projects in which students create and share stories using digital media (video, still images, social media, audio, writing). Projects are linked explicitly to the major global challenges of the 21st century, as articulated in the U.N.s Sustainable Development Goals.

We are currently engaging teachers in the U.S. and Tanzania, matching them with counterparts, and providing training and guidance to enable them to design projects in which students will create and share stories using digital media. These stories will be displayed on a virtual map; and in many cases, students will use mapping techniques to display their narratives geospatially (story maps). Within the context of the SDGs, Narrative Atlas provides a replicable and scalable model for deep, sustained relationships across cultures and languages (with instructional templates, sample lesson plans, student work, and an open platform for exchange of content). Narrative Atlas uses these innovative learning and teaching practices to transmit to youth the critical competencies of global citizenshipthe knowledge, skills, and opportunities to effectively: explore and study the world, communicate their own ideas thoughtfully and responsibly, understand and respect the perspectives of other cultures, collaborate across cultures, and take positive action in their own communities.

MapWorks Learning (www.mapworkslearning.org) coordinates activities. MapWorks Learning is a not-for-profit public charity incorporated in the District of Columbia in the United States. A group of distinguished experts and advisors provides guidance (see: http://www.mapworkslearning.org/people.html).

MapWorks Learning (mapworkslearning.org) Ushahidi (www.ushahidi.com) Teachers Without Borders (teacherswithoutborders.org) teachers and schools around the world