Building Global Apps – Virtual Exchange Program

About

Digital Promise’s Building Global Apps is a virtual exchange program designed in partnership with MAD-learn and the International Education Association. The program aims to foster interpersonal and design thinking skills by connecting high school students in the United States and Lebanon through mobile app-building. We believe that by giving students opportunities to investigate the world, consider different perspectives, and take meaningful action through virtual exchange, we’re empowering the next generation of young people to succeed in the interconnected workforce of tomorrow.

For the Spring 2026 cohort, we are looking for 15-20 high school teachers who are interested connecting their classrooms to the world!

Program Activities

Building Global Apps is an eight-to-ten week program, during which time students will:

1. Collaborate with peers in Lebanon.
2. Utilize the design thinking process to build apps together, addressing local and global challenges on MAD-learn’s interactive platform.
3. Participate in at least three live video exchanges to meet each other and celebrate their work.
4. Celebrate their work as part of the Digital Promise YouthMADE Festival. 

What will participating districts be expected to commit to?:

Teachers will participate in three virtual training sessions between January and February. From February through May, in coordination with their partner teacher in Lebanon, teachers will guide students through the program activities (approx. two to three hours per week).

Are there any stipends, resources, or supports offered to participating districts or educators?:

Upon completion of the program, participating teachers will receive a stipend of $500. Digital Promise will provide three training sessions focused on best practices for facilitating virtual exchanges and how to use the program platforms. Digital Promise and program partners will offer continuous coaching and support throughout the eight-week program.

Application Criteria

Program Requirements

1. Educators of students in grades 9-12, teaching any subject. Teachers opt into the program with their classrooms.
2. Students must have reliable and consistent access to a computer or tablet. However, they do not need their own devices; they can be shared or used in a media center.
3. Students should have full permission to use the MAD-learn web-based app and Padlet.

Program Preferences

1. Schools located in the Eastern or Central time zones to maximize opportunities to connect with Lebanese classrooms. 

Application Instructions

Please fill out and submit the interest form as soon as possible, but no later than January 5. We’ll be accepting participants on a rolling basis. 

Links

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Contact

veronica vazquez ugalde