In this week’s readings from The Global Educator, I got the chance to read about multiple case studies that involved global collaborative efforts, and the many forms they come in. I chose two that stuck out to me to do a little write up about because they really highlighted just how global learning is. The case studies helped show that sometimes global collaborative learning does not always go exactly how you would think and that it can come in many forms.
The two I chose to write about seemed perfect in my opinion, simply because they were so different. The first I wrote about was a man navigating through Asia, trying to make it to a face-to-face event. Here, he runs into many trials and tribulations before finally making it to his event. He was honored to have met many of the great educational professionals in his field of education technology. This really highlights the GLOBAL in Global Collaboration. On the flip side, the second case study is more about the impact a global educator can make locally. Larisa uses educational technology to bridge the gap between STEM degrees and STEM jobs. Coming out of college can be extremely tough. Most students do not know where to turn to find work. Larisa’s program aims to help students find jobs in their field. These two case studies show how global collaborative efforts can affect anyone, and how these efforts can be USEFUL for all. From a businessman traveling the world to a college student just starting out in their field.
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As a child in elementary school, I can remember my teacher rolling in a huge television from the hallway into the classroom. We would watch VHS videos on the old screen. We looked forward to those days so much. This integration of technology into the classroom may seem primitive, but at the time it was cutting edge. The existence of facetime, video-conferencing, and virtual reality seemed like something that was so far out of reach.
At the time, I could not imagine technology better than this old clunky TV. Something like virtual reality seemed like technology out of a science fiction movie. However, these scientific advances are now very real. Many market researchers predict that the number of virtual reality related items will explode in the coming years. Some even predict that virtual reality in the classroom is something so imminent that it will be integrated into most classrooms within the next five years (Pell and Parisi, 2017). This growing desire to educate through virtual reality experience is on the rise and for good reason.
An interesting lesson I found in my research is the story of Mellinda Lohan’s high school history class. Melinda ensures that students know about immigration and it’s history in the United States. This study of immigration does a number of things. First, it shows students just how connected every single person in this country really is. By studying immigration and migration in a historical sense, students can get a better understanding of what it means to be a Global Citizen. Students learn that people from every lineage were once immigrants to this country, which highlights the interconnectedness of all learners.
Mellinda has students go on a “virtual field trip”, where they visit Ellis Island and Angel Island. Using virtual reality, the students in the class are able to get the true experience of what it is like to come to America during the early 20th century. They can walk through the lines of immigrants coming to this country and hear the voices and cries of others as they pass-through lines of doctors and inspectors. In the current political climate, this experience is so important. By having children experience what it is like to be an immigrant, they can grow towards becoming a more compassionate global citizen.
The idea of virtual reality in the classroom may seem a far reach because of the technology it requires, and concerns about the affordability and availability of equipment. However, things like Google Cardboard are making this type of technological integration into the classroom seamless. This equipment turns a cell phone into a VR headset for less than $10! It is truly incredible what technology provides us today! I cannot begin to imagine how much interest this concept will spark in the mind of the student. Getting out of the textbook, and into an experience, they will never forget. Above is a video that overviews the idea of the virtual reality experience and it’s implementation into the classroom.
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Pell, M., & Parisi, T. (2017). Envisioning holograms: design breakthrough experiences for mixed reality. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Envisioning-Holograms-Breakthrough-Experiences-Reality/dp/1484227484.
Thompson, M. (2018). Making Virtual Reality a Reality in Today’s Classrooms. Retrieved from https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/01/11/making-virtual-reality-a-reality-in-todays-classrooms.aspx.
Over the course of the past week, I have compiled pictures from a cross country trip I had taken about a year ago. Looking through thousands of pictures was not easy, however the product I produced through this hard work is very rewarding. I was able to manage this huge project using an application called “Exposure”.
Exposure was exactly what I was seeking. It allowed me to use pictures to tell my story, while the subtle use of words were there to help guide readers along. A large part of this story is the sense of wonder, and wander. I wanted readers to search their own minds for what it was like on the day to day journey. I hoped readers would be filled with a sense of adventure, so that they knew the emotions I felt on lonely nights, and days spent with many friends. Exposure allowed me to perfectly set the scene for the readers mind to examine the pictures I was presenting, and fill in the details themselves.
With so many different storytelling apps to choose from, Exposure really stood out to me because of its ease of use. It helped me organize my pictures in a timely manner, so that the reader could progress through my story while really soaking up whatever they wished.
Thanks for reading by blog post! If you would like more insight into science, education, or technology please follow me on twitter: @Treen9765724
