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Podcasts
Globalisation Clip
In this audio clip a university tutor discuss his views of the term ‘globalisation’ and what it means for him. His discussion is set in the context of a module that he has recently taught to a group of 200+ year three BA(Hons.) students. He raises a range of issues which his work with the students have highlighted. Amongst is that of interconnectedness. He express surprise that the students appeared unaware of the way in which nation states rely on each other connected together. An example he gives is of English apples being shipped to China for cleaning and preparation, then being sent back to the UK for sale in local stores.
Whether true or apocryphal - you may want to check the accuracy of this claim - what are your views about the relationship between local and international
Are you aware that ‘to live in the way you live, you are dependent on the labour of people in other countries’. What are your views about this?
A phrase is used in the discussion, ‘a domino effect’. What do you think is the implication that is implied? Do you have a response to this?
A link is being made in this discussion between two terms, ‘globalisation’ and ‘sustainability’. How do you view the link being made? In the latter parts of the clip the issue of incorporating a study of ‘globalisation’ into the school curriculum Do you think this is appropriate. If not, why? If yes, what aspects of the theme and approaches to its study would you want to incorporate?
ICT and Futures
In this audio clip the speaker presents a view of technology being used to support a particular view of learning. Two terms are used, ‘Just In Time learning’ and ‘Just In Case Learning’.
- Do you agree with the distinctions made? If so, how would you describe the differences.
The speaker also argues that in traditional models of teaching knowledge is held centrally, usually by the teacher.
- To what extent do you think that this model exists in the schools which you have either attended or seen?
- How do you feel about the proposition that, ‘There will continue to be a blurring of the boundaries between teacher and learner’?
The speaker also refers to the Edward Boyle Memorial Lecture given by Professor Stephen Heppell at the Royal Society of Arts. During the lecture, entitled ‘Learning 2016’ Stepehn Heppell discuss future trends in education and, as the speaker highlights, asserts that we cannot keep teaching groups of children in classes that are linked together simply on the grounds of the children’s age. You can view videos of the lecture and a discussion which follows up on Teachers TV at: http://www.teachers.tv/videos/4957. Look at the video and decide whether you agree with the assertions made.
- What questions would you like to ask Stephen Heppell?
The speaker echoes many of the thoughts of earlier technology users. You may also want to consider Seymour Papert’s work. Papert was a pioneer not just in the development of ICTs, particularly the creation of the LOGO package, but also challenged educator’s thinking about the implications of technological developments for traditional forms of teaching. He made a distinction between school-learning and home-learning. He also suggested that the developments in technology, particularly our rapid access to information via the web, ought to force us to question our basic understandings of learning and knowledge.
Two articles by Papert can be found on line at: http://www.papert.org/articles/GhostInTheMachine.html and http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.02/1.2_papert.html