Vision Statement for Education
The quick changing pace of technology, intentionally or not, plays a large part in shaping education. Current and future generations are and will be growing up in a society where information is easily accessible, communication and social interactions are multi-faceted, and where there are a multitude of tools at their fingertips. This change from the past is shaping the way students are learning and the paths that are laid at students’ feet. In order to help students flourish in this ever changing world, it is crucial to teach youth how to collaborate in a global world both in and out of the classroom. In order for this collaboration to be successful, students need a high level of cultural competence taught to them by teachers who are technologically literate.
As teachers, a key focus in the classroom needs to be on collaboration with peers virtually and face-to-face. While collaboration by itself is an immensely important skill for students to learn, its power is lessened by a lack of cultural competency. The widespread access of the internet has provided students with opportunities to work with and learn from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. There are many ways to facilitate this collaboration, ranging from group work to online global activities with peers such as Mystery Skype. Through collaboration with others, students will gain skills that will assist in success with further education and future jobs. In order for students to benefit from the positive outcomes of collaboration, this skill needs to be explicitly taught and encouraged. Teaching students to work with others should be integrated into curriculum packages, ingrained in national standards, and taught to teachers at the university level.
Without being aware of and empathetic to different cultures, students’ ability to participate in meaningful collaboration with creative outcomes is stifled. Instead of ignoring differences between people, these differences should be embraced. In classes, teachers need to encourage learners to bring their backgrounds to the table in discussions. Literature in classes should represent more diverse groups of people, and educators would benefit from direct instruction on cultural competence in pre-service classes. Technology can be used to highlight and educate students on different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas.
In order for collaboration and cultural competence to be taught in a manner that involves technology, teachers need to be technologically literate. This does not just mean knowing different technologies, but also knowing how to use the technologies in authentic ways. Technology coaches are one way to educate teachers on the rapidly changing technologies available, and should be placed, at the minimum, within each district. These coaches can help keep teachers up-to-date on how to effectively and authentically integrate technology in content areas. Integration should be focused on the use of technology to collaborate in a global world with cultural competence.
As teachers, a key focus in the classroom needs to be on collaboration with peers virtually and face-to-face. While collaboration by itself is an immensely important skill for students to learn, its power is lessened by a lack of cultural competency. The widespread access of the internet has provided students with opportunities to work with and learn from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. There are many ways to facilitate this collaboration, ranging from group work to online global activities with peers such as Mystery Skype. Through collaboration with others, students will gain skills that will assist in success with further education and future jobs. In order for students to benefit from the positive outcomes of collaboration, this skill needs to be explicitly taught and encouraged. Teaching students to work with others should be integrated into curriculum packages, ingrained in national standards, and taught to teachers at the university level.
Without being aware of and empathetic to different cultures, students’ ability to participate in meaningful collaboration with creative outcomes is stifled. Instead of ignoring differences between people, these differences should be embraced. In classes, teachers need to encourage learners to bring their backgrounds to the table in discussions. Literature in classes should represent more diverse groups of people, and educators would benefit from direct instruction on cultural competence in pre-service classes. Technology can be used to highlight and educate students on different cultures, backgrounds, and ideas.
In order for collaboration and cultural competence to be taught in a manner that involves technology, teachers need to be technologically literate. This does not just mean knowing different technologies, but also knowing how to use the technologies in authentic ways. Technology coaches are one way to educate teachers on the rapidly changing technologies available, and should be placed, at the minimum, within each district. These coaches can help keep teachers up-to-date on how to effectively and authentically integrate technology in content areas. Integration should be focused on the use of technology to collaborate in a global world with cultural competence.