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In a general sense, technology leveling the playing field across the globe is an interesting idea. People from underdeveloped nations can experience the world around them through communication with technology. Previously, technology was reserved for those thriving countries, giving an obvious advantage. With technology being more affordable and readily available, more nations are joining the party. When thinking about this from the perspective of a developed country, positives and negatives stick out. One of Friedman's thoughts was that with the advancement of technology in under-developed countries, economies could pick up to the point where there are more suitors to buy American goods. On the flip side, more jobs can be performed in other countries for less money than in America. This would clearly drive up unemployment, hurting our economy. Like in many situations, you must accept the good with the bad.
Education also feels the effects of a flat world. My students live such a sheltered life growing up in small town Iowa. Sure, there are advantages, but from a cultural standpoint, being naive is an understatement. I have been teaching long enough to know a few classes of students who have graduated, and I frequently hear comments dealing with the adjustments to places that are more diverse than small town Iowa, but not really that diverse in the grand scheme of things. Take places like Cedar Falls, Iowa City, and Ames. Many of our students go to these universities, and believe it or not, there is a culture shock upon arrival. The college transition is difficult, but I am referring more to the variety of individuals. I would like to find a way to broaden my students' horizons before they graduate, and what better way than with the flat world concept.
Another way the flat world can aid my students is through the enhanced of understanding what is actually available to them after high school. Living in a small community does not do much for the students when thinking about future careers. They have very few ideas as because they do not know what is possible. I had one student who was interested in applying for an Ivy League School. To be honest, I did not even know what it would take to get accepted, but I was sure he would need to get started as early as middle school. This idea can now become a reality. We can collaborate with different schools online, and iTunes has different classes available through the iTunes U program helping with the experience. Even if a student did not want to go to a school like this, the idea of free learning is amazing (hopefully my educational job does not get outsourced...but that is a possibility just like the rest of the job world).
From a smaller perspective, I often pull back and think of our community as a mini world itself. Even in this context, the flat world idea has made education and learning equal to all. I talked about this briefly in a previous posting, but the gap between the haves and the have nots has shrunk in the past few years through technology. People tend to think that in a small community, most of the students and families are of the same socioeconomically. I would disagree. We have quite a range in family income, which can limit opportunities for many students. With the rollout of our laptops and Internet available at our school at any hour, the opportunity to learn has increased. Students still have to take the initiative, but the fairness has increased.
Now that the world is flat again, we as educators have to take this to our advantage, and make sure our students do not fall off the edge. We need to show our students the possibilities of a flat world and let them explore. Teachers and other educators are the captains of the educational ship. Hopefully, we can steer away from what has been done and sail off into the unknown, improving education and the student experience along the way.
Another way the flat world can aid my students is through the enhanced of understanding what is actually available to them after high school. Living in a small community does not do much for the students when thinking about future careers. They have very few ideas as because they do not know what is possible. I had one student who was interested in applying for an Ivy League School. To be honest, I did not even know what it would take to get accepted, but I was sure he would need to get started as early as middle school. This idea can now become a reality. We can collaborate with different schools online, and iTunes has different classes available through the iTunes U program helping with the experience. Even if a student did not want to go to a school like this, the idea of free learning is amazing (hopefully my educational job does not get outsourced...but that is a possibility just like the rest of the job world).
From a smaller perspective, I often pull back and think of our community as a mini world itself. Even in this context, the flat world idea has made education and learning equal to all. I talked about this briefly in a previous posting, but the gap between the haves and the have nots has shrunk in the past few years through technology. People tend to think that in a small community, most of the students and families are of the same socioeconomically. I would disagree. We have quite a range in family income, which can limit opportunities for many students. With the rollout of our laptops and Internet available at our school at any hour, the opportunity to learn has increased. Students still have to take the initiative, but the fairness has increased.
Now that the world is flat again, we as educators have to take this to our advantage, and make sure our students do not fall off the edge. We need to show our students the possibilities of a flat world and let them explore. Teachers and other educators are the captains of the educational ship. Hopefully, we can steer away from what has been done and sail off into the unknown, improving education and the student experience along the way.
Credit given to Maciej clubfoto.lu's through flickr.com/creativecommons
