Surviving in a Flat World

Today the word “global” means something different than it has in the past.  After watching the Friedman’s World is Flat book talk, I feel like my idea of the word “global” has shifted ever so slightly. Technology has improved and become available for everyone, allowing people to connect on different levels than ever before.  This connection has many implications for society, and drives the need for education to use different standards, so students have the opportunity to use this technological platform most effectively.

Friedman points out that over time globalization has changed, going through different eras of its own. He categorizes globalization into three phases, beginning in the 1490’s where globalization meant countries exploring and colonizing new lands.  It then transformed in the 1800’s when companies began to globalize through outsourcing.  Since the year 2000 technology has allowed for a new platform, which he calls the Flat World, to develop where globalizing now occurs through individuals.

Individuals today have access to technology that puts the world at their fingertips. Friedman’s lecture put several things into perspective for me.  I agree with his view of globalization and his call for a change in educational standards and leadership. Perhaps with more research and reflection, I will have a different outlook, however it is true that individuals are driving economy today.  People can now form so many connections across a multitude of areas from all over the globe. People are able to sell their stories, lives, creativity, and creations online, and to anyone around the globe.  I think the term Flat World is a perfect name for what is happening to the economy and society today.  There is now a way for everyone to preform on the same platform.

Due to the growth of technology, and the huge role it plays in individual lives and global society, people are going to need to learn how to use the resources available to them in order to thrive.  I believe the educational system has the responsibility to make sure that students are getting the proper experience they need in order to survive in this technological world.  Schools should focus on promoting their student’s and teacher’s creativity, and inspiring them to act on their ideas.  If the future of our culture and economy is to rely on individuals rather than corporations, then those individuals should feel empowered by the endless global opportunities they have access to.

Educational Philosophy

     As I think about entering the world of teaching, I realize I am going to have to do so much more learning than I thought.  Our educational system was created for a time that has come and gone, and now it is essential that educators learn how to teach the students of today. I watched a video about a year ago, before I was positive that I wanted to teach.  It is an animated lecture by Sir Ken Robinson, and really provoked me to question the structure of education. 

          There are several reasons that I have for becoming a teacher, and hope that I can utilize resources of the future to help me become the best educator that I can be. I think that teaching future students will be exciting, with more technological advancements, but unnerving at the same time.

I think that teaching is one of the most important and respectable jobs in the world.  Teachers have the ability to not only educate, but also inspire so many young individuals.  Being able to motivate and inspire younger people is the biggest factor in my desire to teach. I have also always loved being able to help other people, whether that means giving advice or teaching different concepts. Thinking about my career as a future educator in a society that thrives on technology is both exciting and unsettling.

Today’s teachers are facing the need to change the way they reach their students.  I am inspired by the realization that our educational system needs revising.  Students are being taught by a system that was designed for a different era.  I am excited that there is now a conscious need for change.  We need to adapt, and possibly change how we test student’s understanding of knowledge.  Revolutionizing the educational system will provide new opportunities to be creative, and technology can help enhance student’s experience in school. There is an opportunity to get people excited and motivated to learn.  I am hoping that once teachers, and hopefully myself, implement new ways of education by utilizing new technology, students will be excited to go to school every day.

Although I am excited about the needed shift in education, I am unsettled by the thought as well.  Teachers of my generation are going to have the hard task of figuring out how to implement new ways of teaching while maintaining some old educational values.  I am hoping that I will be able to keep up with society and learn how to teach in ways that students will understand.  I am not as technologically savvy as many of my peers seem to be.  It is unnerving thinking that I may not be creative enough to think of new ways of teaching.

Society today is much different than it was several years ago. People have access to unlimited information, and do most of their learning, thinking, and organizing using the internet, computers and cell phones.  Technology has now become a way of life and the educational system needs to adapt to this.  As a future teacher, I see this as a great opportunity to inspire and teach younger generations, but realize how difficult and unnerving this task is going to be.