"Teachers understand the importance of preparing for classroom teaching. Preparing for online projects is also vital to achieving successful project outcomes." (Project Pillars)

Follow these steps to start your own Travel Buddy.

1. Develop a curriculum idea which involves an inquiry or higher order thinking question and the need for data to be collected by other schools. (This becomes the basis of the Travel Buddy's mission).
2. Find a suitable soft toy or hand puppet and with your students and give the Travel Buddy a name and personality.
   You could use an artifact for older students  - just ensure the inquiry (mission) is also suitable. Be mindful that using an artifact will not 'endear' the students to its personality, however, if they are older this may not be an important feature of the project.
3. Peruse this site and read some examples of Travel Buddy missions, adventures and diary entries to get a feel for the sorts of activities you could undertake.
4. When you are ready to start exchanging a Travel Buddy with other schools, come back to the site and fill out the Travel Buddy Request Form. Please read the form advice before you fill it out as you will be required to provide educational significant information about your proposed adventure.
5. Once the form is submitted it willl alert the Project Coordinator of your request. Approval will be based on these criteria:
   • Travel Buddies must support student learning outcomes and have clear curriculum links.
   • Projects are collaborative in nature running across more than one school. 
   • Project content is educationally appropriate and current.
   • Project owners (ie Owner Teachers) have the support of their Principal and understand the dynamic nature of the COP space and are able to give regular time to support their project participants and project COP web space.
   • Projects are non-profit.
6. When your Travel Buddy is approved you will receive an email and support from your Project Coordinator. 

Before you apply for your own Travel Buddy it would also be desirable for you to have some experience with implementing this style of project by either:

• Completing a Travel Buddy online course through the Learning Place; or
• Participating in a Travel Buddy adventure as a partner.

Advertising:

If you want partners to be part of your travel buddy experiences you will need to allow advertising time before an actual start time. This will allow other schools to register their interest with you and to prepare their own students.