GLOBAL EDUCATION NETWORK (GEN)
New technologies and telecommunications networks have dramatically
transformed all facets of life, from medicine to agriculture, entertainment to
politics, and economics to service industries (Milken Foundation, 1999). The rapid development of global technological capacity and abilites
create opportunities for students worldwide. Institutions and individuals
recognize the importance of education to national economic development. Most
observers acknowledge that there are barriers associated with technology acquisition
and use, no matter what the intended purpose. Sometimes, in the restrict acess
for political reasons, as in China, for example. Cultural conventions often do
not value outside information. A lack of knowledge of the possibilities
associated with technology often prevents acquisition.
The Milken Foundation identifies five criteria that
characterize a scenario for technology acquisition, informed use, productive
output, and contributions to development. Those considering acquiring new or
additional technology should consider these questions as a framework.
- First, what is it that technology will do for students and educators that is compelling enough to make all the effort worthwhile? (The Incentives)
- Second, what is it that communities need in order to make informed decisions and wise use of technology and telecommunications for improvements in learning? (Capacity building)
- Third, what is getting in the way of educators and students effectively using technology and how can we fix the system to get rid of these barriers? (System Changing)
- Fourth, what is it that we need in order to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a technology-enriched learning environment? (Mandates)
- Fifth, how will we know it when we see it? What does success look like in terms of student performance? What indicators will we be using? How will the data be collected? What evidence will be analyzed and evaluated against which benchmarks? (Benchmarking) (Milken Foundation, 1998.)
GEN is a strategy to empower the education
entities and support on the learning leadership transformation to the third millennium
education strategies based on the following analysing, planning, designing,
implementing, and developing strategies to greater education world.
Why Global Education Network? This is the
way of learning that using technology to create global learning experiences. In
Technology for a Global Early
Childhood Education’s site, educators working with young children are interested by using technology in the
classrooms. By creating global learning experiences, early childhood teachers
have the ability to expose children to concepts of diversity, multiculturalism,
and multilingualism at an early age.
The next question can
be why we should use technology? Technology can be instrumental in creating
global learning experiences because technology has the power to connect from
one country to other countries and easily send the information around the
world.
Our new challenge is
how we can develop and use the information positively. However, there were many
obstacles to prepare students for global education such as limited resources,
language and lack of mobility of the students. The new technologies provide
ways to overcome the traditional barriers to global education and language
learning. The 21st century ushered in an era with the highest level of global
interconnectedness in human history. We can access the information from the
internet in anywhere in the world - 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We also
can communicate with a click on a cellular phone or a computer.
The Challenge Of Global Education
And Language Learning Technology
Today, we are increasingly connected to the rest of the world:
- Economic crisis as far away as Greece have an immediate effect on our stock market.
- An Ebola outbreak in Africa spreads fear globally and dominates the news.
- Cyber attacks that cause disruption or compromise information are launched from any location on earth.
- Automobile exhausts in the U.S. and coal-burning power plants in China both contribute to air pollution and global climate change.
The clothing we wear, the products we buy, and even the food we eat often
originates in other countries. Yet many US citizens are insular, unaware
of world geography, unable to communicate in languages other than English, and
insensitive to cultural differences. Beyond our borders, people in other
countries have a distorted view of Americans, shaped by news stories,
propaganda, foreign policy decisions, movies, popular music, and even video
games.
Today’s challenges can be addressed successfully only if we can develop
cooperative and trusting relationships across the world. If the emerging global
society is to be a healthy one, we need American students to acquire other
languages and to learn about other cultures and customs—and we need people from
other counties to learn American English and to have a more accurate
understanding of American culture and values. Our ability to educate and
prepare the world’s future leaders in politics, business, and education along
with our determination to set positive examples for the value of democracy,
civility, and human rights can shape the future of the world.
However, there were many barriers to preparing students adequately for a
global economy and society. The most significant barriers include limited
resources, language barriers, and lack of mobility of students.
There are significant
benefits to global education network:
1.
Improve language skills
Through the internet, students are able to communicate
using their own devices peer-to-peer video conferencing. And it can be accomplished
from anywhere – opening the world to students who do not have time or resources
to travel. Peer-to peer video conferencing can create the opportunity for
students to build an international network of friends and contacts. The
contacts itself can help students to develop business, find new job, and
increase their knowledge of other countries and cultures.
2.
Online classes
Students now on can have a class without having any
room to learn. They can learn anywhere they like and the teachers can teach by
using any media such as through Skype, Website or even social media like
Facebook and Edmodo.
Using Online access tools provide many advantages to
students including:
·
Choice
Large choice of tutors and others with varying ages, backgrounds, and geography.
Large choice of tutors and others with varying ages, backgrounds, and geography.
·
Flexible and convenient scheduling
Wide calendar availability, on demand, cancellation policy
Wide calendar availability, on demand, cancellation policy
·
Pricing
Variable pricing, no contracts, trusted payment methods
Variable pricing, no contracts, trusted payment methods
·
User experience
User interfaces tailored for language learning & cultural exchange
User interfaces tailored for language learning & cultural exchange
·
Social attraction
Personal interactions that reach across cultures and borders for friendly fun while learning
Personal interactions that reach across cultures and borders for friendly fun while learning
·
Safety
Proper consent policy, policies to prohibit inappropriate conversations
Proper consent policy, policies to prohibit inappropriate conversations
·
Privacy
1-to-1 classes using secure video
1-to-1 classes using secure video
·
Rating
Options for students to rate their experiences with tutors
Options for students to rate their experiences with tutors
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