Excessive Inaccessibility

Perspective is a wonderful gift to attempt to awaken within another person. Many people lack any real perspective when looking at the problems of developing nations seeing as well less than half of Americans don't even hold a passport. It is easy to say, that's horrible or that's wrong when looking into developing nations and their problems. It is quite another to look at it with your own eyes and know you should be doing more, doing better. Throughout my travels I have seen unmatched beauty and walked through scenes I thought I would only see on TV. The pieces that hang with me though, that I think about almost everyday, have to do with the human sacrifice with which I witnessed many people live their day to day lives. We are a blessed nation in so many ways, in ways that should not be taken for granted. It is that type of perspective that I try to impart everyday in my classroom, year by year, student by student... its my humble attempt to do something about all that I saw, in the hopes that should I return, I would see less suffering and more hope.

Excessive Inaccessibility

Important perspective to remember. I just read this excellent post http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical/2009/09/using-microloans-to-learn-about-the-world.html by Bill Ferriter today on teaching his students about poverty using microloans. I think it is a great way to implement what you are talking about.

Excessive Inaccessibility

It is easy to find fault with our education system, but the fact that we choose to educate all of our students regardless of ability or race or sex or social status, makes this one of the best it the world. We strive to make the best better. This is a good cause and not one to abandon or dismiss. But true education is about learning and that can be done anywhere with anything. Don't forget that in many rural and urban areas of this county, technology isn't a option. Those teachers and students are still learning despite those "overwhelming" odds. But it isn't just tech that we need to be preparing our students for. It's to be part of the whole world, not just the "world" in their town or state. To this extent we need to be showing them what life is like when you leave our borders. Many of our students believe that the people in these countries could have everything if they just worked harder. I agree that it is important to show students that many of the kids in line for pencils in line are already working hard, that what is happening there, and in other places, is often born out of more complex issues. Better I make them think about those issues than about what the theme in a given novel is or how best to form a thesis on a random prompt.

Excessive Inaccessibility

Indeed. Openness and compassion are much needed these days. ------------- CD Discount.Halloween cookies.

Excessive Inaccessibility

You made me think and, I believe, helped me to gain perspective not only on the definition of technology, but also on how we use it. Check out my post, describing the path I took toward this enlightenment. I'd be interested in your comments. Thanks, Greg

Excessive Inaccessibility

Excellent post Ben. I have been thinking along similar lines lately. What is a greater legacy for our students? I prefer a open and compassionate heart. If we can teach our students these things, the technology and innovation will be put to a greater good. As I've taken time away from learning that is battery operated, I've found a lost solace in turning the pages of books, deep face-to-face conversations with others, and time in the sunshine. I will champion the idea that technology is integral to the present and future of learning for our students. I will also agree that becoming global learners and citizens means more than just putting computers to work purely for academics, in a traditional sense.

Excessive Inaccessibility

Very thought provoking, Ben. I am looking for ways to help but I want to help out in our own country. Right here in the United States there are children who are homeless, living in cars, and not knowing when their next meal will be. I admire people that what to take up a cause, but we don't have to travel to Africa to find people who don't have a piece of paper to go with their new pencil. Americans tend to turn a blind eye to what in happening right here in their own backyard so to speak. I will strive to help the less fortunate here in my own country before I go global.

Excessive Inaccessibility

Wow. Moving words, Ben. My first, immediate reaction was to consider doing away with the huge whack of tech that takes up my time and stop advocating for more in our schools. Let our kids learn in a simpler way, too. (That was the guilt.) My second, almost as immediate thought was to react against the idea of a life without the marvellous ever-enhancing high tech, and close the browser window and move on to another Tweet. Ostrich-head-in-sand. (That was the greed and complacency talking.) My third, more measured response was to stop and decide to take some time to reflect and then to post a comment. (Not sure exactly what that was, but I think it's coming from the Good Side.) There is no doubt that there are many, significant issues in the world that are of our own making -- and many of us have been adults for long enough that we can't lay the blame at the feet of those who have gone before us, or those whom we elect to represent us in our governments. On one hand, one can say that helping future generations to learn is a noble calling, and the hours and hours of effort and energy that go into education are enough to convince one that the they're doing their part in making the world a better place. (Why am I writing in the third person impersonal?) On the other hand, I can say that we're helping to perpetuate the ideals/norms of our society, rather than challenging or acting overtly to offer an alternative. (That's the rational talking, but it's also sounding a bit like a rationalization.) I do know that our new revised Science curriculum expectations (2008) here in Ontario are very strongly emphasizing an environmental, action-based context form which to explore the science content and skills. The intent is to not only house the learning within a framework of problem solving, but to also ask that students engage in actual real-action projects -- such that they actually engage in learning how to contribute to solving the problems that exist now and in the future. Kind of a tall order, on one hand, to ask our generation to hope that the learners of today will buy in and learn to solve the problems when we aren't actively engaged. (What is THAT? The pessimistic talking?) I'm an optimist (well, maybe an idealist?) by nature. When I see the various "Flat Classroom" projects that act to work at opening up the eyes of today's students to the reality of the world -- not just the reality of our locality -- but the world, I wonder how significant this coming generation might be able to act if we were to collectively work to empower THEM to solve the problems. Not just environmental problems, but social problems, financial problems, educational problems. Not pass the buck to them. Rather, have the buck stop with us. For us to help them to learn to better act, rather than just react. You've got me thinking, Ben. The more important question is what I'll DO differently, as a result. What will we all do differently as a result? (I'm going to start by printing out your post and my response, and taping them to the bulletin board I look at each morning.)

Excessive Inaccessibility

Many of the students at our college are struggling to survive (pay rent and bills, have food on the table and take care of their families) while trying to learn and improve themselves. Their situations and this post brings to mind an old proverb I read years ago. It is "I wept because I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet." This applies to the post, as well as, ourselves and those around us.