I’ve been doing reading on flatclassroom projects and reading through Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat. I’ve been intrigued by the ideas presented by Friedman and the whole idea that the world is indeed becoming flatter as we have access to many new and different technologies. My conversations with Missprofe and mscofino are examples of how we can communicate and find new people who are willing to engage with us in a discussion of what is happening around the world. I’m watching the flatclassroom project that Snow Lake, M.B., Canada (Clarence Fisher) is doing withVirginia, U.S.A (Lee Barber), miscofino and Cartagena, Columbia (Jamie Hide) with great interest as I debate how to get my own students involved in such a project.
Today, while meeting to organize a transitional meeting for our grade 12’s, I threw out the idea that the world is flattening and we are no longer limited to a physical place for pursuing ideas or education or dreams. Well, I’m now doing the opening keynote at the beginning of the day for the students focusing on the idea of the Flat World. Anyone have 45 minutes worth of things to offer?
I’m always looking for an opportunity to talk with students about the need them to be aware how the world is changing and how the society we live in is no longer just our Canadian one but a global society that will reflect the learning taking place in a number of places and will need a whole set of skills that are just beginning to emerge. We are no longer limited to just our immediate social environment but we have the ability to reach different places, some which are real and some which are virtual, all while still being in touch with the one that surrounds us. We are beginning to realize we are connected in many different ways and as those connections are redefined and strengthened, we will see new ways of interaction, discussing and problem-solving.
Seems funny that it has taken me so long to actually give a presentation to anyone about online learning environments and the options that are available yet I finished my MEd. degree in 2001 online, have been working on getting my coaching certificate for Harvard Graduate School of Education in order to facilitate online work and I’ve been working very hard to increase my use and student use of web2.0 techologies this past year.
So, I have 45 minutes, what are some of the key ideas that I should cover? Because the knowledge that surrounds me in the blogosphere is filled with great and key ideas, I figure I’ll throw this out and see if anyone responds (or will it end up like my other book club idea?) Hope not:)
