Dr. Thornburg (Laureate 2009), notes that “Valuable means understanding a culture well enough to help people incorporate new ideas into that culture.” As a leader in educational technology, I could take several steps in making sure that emerging technologies is seen as a valuable tool for others regardless of race, gender, cultural or socioeconomic status. As an employee of a K12 public school system, and a technology facilitator, I often find myself talking with colleagues about ways in which learning and the use of technology will be beneficial to a diverse group of students. In many of my lessons and activities I make a conscious effort to incorporate some type of cultural aspect and socioeconomic situations to make my students aware of other worlds and or communities outside of what they know.
Through this experience I’ve found that many of my students show a greater since of compassion and concern for their peers who may not be as fortunate as they are and do not have access to the technology tools and equipment in which they are exposed to everyday. Not only do I try to practice this sensitivity with my students but with my peers as well, during staff development training sessions. I often introduce teachers to new technology which is “emerging” to them and allow them to use those technologies coupled with their personal life experiences as a way to introduce themselves to one another. For exam “Wordle” (www.wordle.net) which is an emerging technology for most teachers in my school district is often used in my workshops to allow participants the opportunity to express themselves in a creative way while at the same time sharing personal information that allows their peers to have a better understanding of who they are.
Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Diversity and globalism. [Web]. Retrieved from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=3951732&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thanks for the link. I will have to check it out. I truly agree with you about compassion in teaching and learning. We want to make sure that our students are comfortable in the setting in which they are learn and being able to express a little bit of themselves in class helps the cohesiveness of the class.
ReplyDeleteHi Wandra,
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting point about the concern for people in other parts of the world who may not have access to the technology that we have in this country. The digital divide between the “haves” and the “have nots” of technology should be part of our message to our students.
One bright side to this dilemma is the smart phone. This device can provide access to the internet, communication, and learning tools similar to the computer, but with less cost when compared to a computer. As technology reaches more people and provides learning tools, coupled with communication tools, those minds that reach out and link with other inquisitive minds will generate new and imaginative ideas for our world.
Thanks for the interesting ideas!
Ginger Harper
Thanks for the link! Great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and so often taken for granted. Not only the students but many of the teachers take the availibity of technology for granted. Many studets believe thhat if they have access to certain technologies that everyone else must also.
ReplyDeleteYou also brought up a good point in the differences among schools even those that are in close proximity.
Jane