3 Great Films for Teaching About Globalization and Modernization Scene from the Iranian film "Children of Heaven." Photo Credit: Miramax Films With the advent of modern mass communication and world tourism, dramatic change has come to nations and cultures which had previously seen little change for centuries. Each technological or social innovation has brought unexpected and unintended consequences. Irrevocably Connected Globalization is used here to signify the worldwide integration of previously distinct cultures and economies and the consequent exchange of products, ideas and methods of operation. A simple exercise will show the extent of globalization: assign your students to go through their closets at home, looking at clothing labels and listing the countries where the clothing was made. All these examples come from the United States. Journeys in Film To help your students grasp these terms, consider showing them engaging feature films from other countries. Scene from "The Cup" Credit: Fine Line Features Scene from "The Way Home"
Science, ICT, and the Global Classroom (Crowd-Sourced Notes) Digital Humanities Resources, Part 1: Organizations and Coding Back in 2011 (you know, last month), I stated that I wanted to become a digital humanist (if that’s what it can be called). Over the past month, I’ve collected a number of resources in order to try and make this a reality. As just about everything I do professionally now, I’m sharing them with you. The first place to start would be the Alliance of Digital Humanities Organizations (digitalhumanities.org). You can find a great deal of information and resources, as well as an open access book, The Digital Humanities and Humanities Computing: An Introduction. I haven’t had time to read it yet, but it’s on my list. Another great resource hosted over at ADHO is DH Answers. The National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education ( is another good place to find resources for aspiring and established digital humanists. Also useful is the Office of Digital Humanities over at the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Open educational resources (OERs) There is no one, standard definition of open educational resources. However, the following broad definition of OERs from OER Commons seems to be generally accepted by the community: 'Open educational resources are teaching and learning materials that are freely available online for everyone to use, whether you are an instructor, student or self-learner. Examples of OER include: full courses, course modules, syllabi, lectures, homework assignments, quizzes, lab and classroom activities, pedagogical materials, games, simulations, and many more resources contained in digital media collections from around the world.' OERs exist within a wider ‘open’ movement and context, explored below. The open movement Many of these have been driven by and created by communities that recognise the benefits to themselves, and sometimes to wider groups. What are educational resources? What are open educational resources? Engagement with OER can be light touch. Finding OERs
The 5 Traits All Top Performers Share There’s one mistake I made earlier in my business life when it comes to people: only hiring when there was a defined need. One day, I realized that if we could afford it, it’s just as important to hire exceptionally talented people even when you don’t have an opening. On occasion, when we found a gifted person, an A player beyond doubt, we’d hire her and “park” her in the organization. At first, we would just give the person something to do. Always, after a few months, she was working 10-hour days and making a big contribution. Inevitably, we found an important role for her, or she found it on her own. What do I look for? Frankly, I want to know if their grade-point average (GPA) was 2.7 or 3.9 out of a possible 4.0. So I’m looking for the Phi Beta Kappa, the captain of the debating team the president of the student council. I’m also looking for the person who rose quickly in another organization and was rewarded with an important leadership job. Finally, we come to experience.
Work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers, 1947-2013 -- Table Table 1. GEP Primary resources for learning and teaching The Best Places To Learn Web 2.0 Basics When it comes to technology, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer (not to mention being sort of a Luddite). I need things very, very simple. I thought it would be helpful to a list of the sites that I’ve found most helpful and accessible in explaining how to use key Web 2.0 tools like blogs, wikis, Flickr, social bookmarking, RSS readers, etc. You can also find links to the sites I list here, and many more, on the Teachers’ Page on my website. There are three sites that I think stand above all the others. One is Sue Waters’ Mobile Technology In TAFE Wiki. It would probably be okay to stop reading right here, since these three sites more than likely can provide you with all the information you need. However, there are a few more excellent resources you might want to check-out if you have the time. There are two other places that offer exceptional information on a number of Web 2.0 tools. Other sites have good resources for specific tools. (I’m also adding John Pearce’s Tutorials) ).
Provide specific learner guidance and support for flexible learning Positioning questions To what extent do learners understand the importance of being an effective and efficient flexible learner? To what extent are flexible learning capabilities incorporated into academic, personal and professional development planning and reflective practice? Do learners have access to tools and resources to diagnose and develop their flexible learning capabilities? Indicators of high flexibility Development of learner flexible learning capabilities is incorporated into academic/personal/professional development planning and reflective practice. Tensions Learners need to be incentivised to engage with such guidance and processes, though e.g. inclusion within learning outcomes, formative and summative assessment and as part of personal and professional development. Do you have any comments about this page?
9 Characteristics Of 21st Century Learning The label of “21st Century learning” is vague, and is an idea that we here at TeachThought like to take a swing at as often as possible, including: –weighing the magic of technology with its incredible cost and complexity –underscoring the potential for well thought-out instructional design –considering the considerable potential of social media platforms against its apparent divergence from academic learning Some educators seek out the ideal of a 21st century learning environment constantly, while others prefer that we lose the phrase altogether, insisting that learning hasn’t changed, and good learning looks the same whether it’s the 12th or 21st century. At TeachThought, we tend towards the tech-infused model, but do spend time exploring the limits and challenges of technology, the impact of rapid technology change, and carefully considering important questions before diving in head-first. The size of the circles on the map are intended to convey priority. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Richard D. Wolff, "Capitalism Becomes Questionable" Capitalism Becomes Questionableby Richard D. Wolff The depth and length of the global crisis are now clear to millions. Between the crisis and today's austerity policies lie the bailouts -- a bought government's program to aid mega-finance and other large corporations with unlimited funds unmatched by anything comparable for the mass of working people and smaller businesses. First of all, this deep and long crisis undermines decades of confident assurances and predictions that another deep capitalist depression was no longer likely or even possible. Implicitly, at first, millions of people began to question whether capitalism does still "deliver the goods" as its defenders so long insisted. The old ideological mechanisms that for decades had persuaded most US citizens -- that economic hardship was the result of individual decisions and personal failures -- left growing numbers dissatisfied. In Europe, the same global capitalist crisis evolved differently. Richard D. | Print
Read Around the World My kids and I have had fun taking two imaginary trips around the world. Our imaginary trips have consisted of choosing a new continent every couple of weeks and reading stories set in that continent. During our second trip, I compiled booklists of the very best books I could find and posted booklists and reviews here at Delightful Children’s Books. (See Read Around the World booklists below.) I hope that these Read Around the World booklists will inspire teachers and parents to take an imaginary trip around the world with their kids. * Click on each booklist link for book reviews and images! Maps Mapping Penny’s World by Loreen Leedy. Children Around the World To Be a Kid by Maja Ajmera and John Ivanko (board book edition). Africa I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakité and Baba Wagué Diakité. Europe The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben. Australia Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germein and Bronwyn Bancroft. The Arctic Mama, Do You Love Me? South America Asia Peek!
The Best Sites That Students Can Use Independently And Let Teachers Check On Progress (You might also be interested in The Best MATH Sites That Students Can Use Independently And Let Teachers Check On Progress) I know “The Best…” list has a very awkward title, but I couldn’t think of a better one. In our Family Literacy Project we provide home computers and Internet access to immigrant families. Eighty percent of household members spend at least one hour each day (many spend considerably more time) on our website. Three of these seven hours each week need to be spent on one of several websites that act as sort of “virtual classrooms” — students and their family members enter them with a password and we can check online to see how much time they have spent on them. I thought readers might find it useful to see which ones we’ve determined to be the best for kind of program. There are sites we use, and which I think stand-out when compared to similar web applications: I Know That has tons of engaging learning exercises and game. U.S.A Learns is another addition. Spellbee!