The Global Village

       During our lifespan, globalization has been a constant, seemingly unstoppable force that has, and continues to, develop internationally through production, consumption, and financial evolution. Presently, globalization has merged together the massive sectors of humankind’s socio-economic foundation: technology, capitalism, and commerce. The “global village” epitomizes this transformation; it is a diverse ecosystem that spans across several continents, and allows for people of different cultures—but like minds and/or like interests—connect, evolve, and progress together. The future generation will be one that is even more interconnected through technological advancements.

          Through this concept of a “global village,” forged in the crucible of globalization, it is necessary to create a classroom that is technologically savvy and will better prepare the students of the future to use the technology to collaborate, connect with like-minds and to navigate resourcefully through.

          In order to best prepare my students, and my own profession, to develop alongside the ever-evolving global society, I would need to advance along technologically. There are a variety of options presently available and easily accessible to students and teachers for creating an educational environment where there is a confluence between both technology, and required learned material. These options include social bookmarking which allows students to store, annotate, add, and share bookmarks of documents found on the internet. Social applications such as Ning, Grouply, and Elgg enable users to network, socialize, and connect with like-minds and interests. These social networks allow for individuals to network resourcefully, and gain self-interest in movements such as the “do it yourself” movement that many of my students are presently interested in.

           Artsonia provides educators and students the opportunity have a virtual art show or gallery-like experience, but within the confines of one’s own classroom. Through Artsonia, the students’ artwork becomes the main focal point, and parents are able to observe their child’s online digital portfolio of their body of work. Alike, as an educator, Artsonia is a great resource for inspiration within one’s own classroom.

Although the advancement, spread, and easy accessibility to technology allows for the use of technology within the classroom, I am still eager to discern the cognitive impacts these advanced forms of technology will have for the future generations. I am fearful that we will create a generation that becomes reliant on the existence of technology, and like the carriage to the car, the archaic methods of one’s imagination will fall to the wayside. However, I am alike fearful that if we do not teach our students to embrace, educate, and be resourceful with technology that our very own students will become limited in the ever advancing and globalizing world around us.