How can we understand different cultures and countries and the issues that face them, and develop an understanding of the impact our actions have on them?
Well for those of us who live in the major cities of the world we have more of an opportunity to meet and converse with people of different cultures. I can say personally I have meet and learned first hand about the people of the world living right her in NYC. We can understand more if we take the time to be open minded about others. Yes we can read magazines, newspapers and watch television to get one perspective, but talking and communicating first hand through blogs, chat rooms, epals, video conferencing and on line courses we can get a first hand account of what people think of us and we of them.
One way to achieve these goals is through global literacy and awareness. Technical literacy and collaboration are other methods but none of these concepts are understandable without a certain amount of maturity. One must be grounded and honest of ones capabilities in order to be competent enough to consider the social consequences of any country, state or nation. In the case of the students, many have the ability to use the Internet to access and communicate information effectively but are they mature enough the process the information? Many are aware of the capacity to produce and distribute content over the Net but is it done responsibly? Are important ideas which bring people, cultures and nations closer together primarily being exchanged by our students? Gathering, organizing and evaluating information isn’t enough. The recipient must be able to effectively process influential knowledge found on the Web and other sources. There can only be understanding through effective digestion. Our goal as teachers is to facilitate a global awareness throughout our student bodies. Effective digestion is the key. A daunting task but with the help of others can be done. It takes a village.
I am originally from Guyana South America. As an adult I travelled to Trinidad and Brazil as a trader, and lived for ten years in Suriname. Things are very different in those four countries depending on where you go. Since coming to the United States in 1986 I have been fortunate to enjoy the things that are not available to the poor people of those countries. Visitors never really see the country or the people. Visitors are shown the best, given the last meal even allowed to sleep on the one bed that the whole family sleep on.
To understand what populations face you would have to live there or spend at least six months there. Children leave school at age 13 to help take care of their families. Sometines the father moved out or died or there was never a father around.
How do we understand cultures? We have to ask questions and know when to ask questions and when to just listen. As a Fashion Design Teacher at Fashion High School I encounter students from a lot of different countries. My school's population is primarily female so there is always drama going on, but we deal with everything that comes our way. Each culture looks at life differently and what is good for one culture is detrimental to the other.
Other cultures need help in getting, understanding and using the emerging technology. As teachers we have to be the guiding hand that helps our students find and use technology correctly
Although I was born and brought up here in England, my family is originaly from Bangladesh so I feel from a very young age I have been open to knowing about people from all over the world. I think we need to start early with children, and its definately helps to be around different people. Obviously this isnt always possible and often what is portrayed in the media is a biased point of view. The internet and social networking sites, podcasting can help children to get to know 'real people' and real life situations. It brings these people into a real life context and if children can see and hear other cultures their understanding can become better.
The first is virtual. Ultimately, one must become aware of their global citizenship. Through ICT’s a person can easily develop an idea of their relation to the world and their interdependence with other cultures. Injustice, both economic and racial affects us all. The recent crash of the Hang Seng Stock Index is a clear indication of how we are connected economically. The intercontinental persecution of chosen cultures has a sweeping effect on national and international relations. Environmental catastrophes can affect many different global ecosystems. Through meaningful collaboration and networks the world becomes readily available making it easier to understand how we may share our differences in ways beneficial toward other cultures. Cooperative effort is the key. We are, after all, living on one planet. ICT’s connect people faster and in ways unimaginable just 60 years ago. Their usage provides much needed information for those of us who consider themselves citizens of the globe.
The second is physical. Individually or as part of a group of volunteers, one can spend time with their chosen community in other cultures across the globe where they can become completely absorbed into the daily routines, activities and social life. First hand knowledge is best as experiences in real time are profoundly more rewarding. One not only considers and gains new knowledge of their new environment and social surroundings; it also causes one to reconsider what they originally felt of their own native environment. This and more is learned and shared when living in a country other than your own.
How can we understand people from other countries and cultures if we fail to understand those who live amongst us? We may not speak the same language nor share the same beliefs system; nevertheless, we are made of the same DNA materials(Adenine, Thymine, Guanine,Cytosine). Our reluctance to understand the others and vice-versa is the result of cultural bias. As long as we persist in believing that mine is bigger and better, we will continue to provoke events that will be detrimental to others.
Even though we live in a culturally diverse are (Long Island, near New York City), I find that rather than being a melting pot, we are a pot filled with many separate ingredients. So we don't mix as much as we can. Therefore, we have to do more to reach out to people who are different, or at least learn about them through reading and discussing.
Assigning books to children for reading that are not necessarily written by Westerners is a start. There are plenty of books out there which were written for Asian, African and South American children that maybe our kids should read as well.
Going beyond discussing this in Social Studies (Global Studies), maybe encourage more of a pen-pal relationship between your school and a school halfway around the world. I think it gives the student a better sense of what life is like in that culture/country, if they hear in words from the students themselves. It might also help us teach our children a language other than English (we assume everyone else in the world speaks English).
One of the best ways to complete this goal and educate students about global events and cultures is to have them get a one on one view of the culture that we wish to teach them and also to relate other culture or event to the students live so they have a better understanding of events through giving them more of a personal connection with other culture and events. The best way to do this is through what we are doing in this class. Learning the new technologies and the endless possibilities that these technologies bring. For example using Google earth we can bring our students in New York or where ever we are straight to China, The Arctic and many other places. Also we can best see the impact of our actions on other culture by coming up with fun activities for the students. Like Show them how many of the thing they were, eat and use are made in various other countries. Also set up chats or programs like this in which students around the world communicate with each other. By becoming acquainted with people of various cultures they will have a better appreciation and understanding for the differences and also the similarities, the students can talk music, sports and other topics that students find interesting. Another important task that teachers have to face when trying to educate students on global events and other cultures is to brake down stereo types and prior knowledge of cultures or events. There are many fallacies that students believe to be true. And sometimes trying to correct the view that students already have about a culture or event is sometimes the hardest thing to accomplish.
I have lived in three different countries. I clearly understand the importance of background knowledge. You will always see minority group within the classroom. The best approach in order to avoid individual students feeling isolated, it would be great to make a group project, and provide a chance to share different cultures.
One of the best and most convienient was to find out about other peoples cultures is the Internet anything you need to know is litterally a click away. It does help that living on Long Island there really are different cultures were ever you look and on a daily basis you communicate with them. The high school I went to was also like a melting pot there was a decent amount of students from different places around the world and you would communicate with them on a regular basis. I guess if you have an open mind and are willing to be understanding you can learn a lot from simple communication.
I had the opportunity to travel and meet the world in the 1980's. When I arrived back home at JFK I kissed the ground. As a young adult I took many things for granted and I realized how lucky and blessed we really are.Today through the technologies available to us we can commuicate, educate ourselves and make decisions that will have a positive impact on society.
How can we understand different cultures and countries and the issues that face them, and develop an understanding of the impact our actions have on them?
We can start by becoming more aware of our surroundings. There is more to life than just where we live-our block, our town, our county, our country. We need to reach outside of ourselves and become more knowledgeable about the issues that are facing the world today. Get acquainted with a few people around the world, use some of the tools we learnt in this class to empower someone else to communicate their information back to us. Stay aware.
This is such a difficult question. How we understand different cultures and countries and the issue that face them is always tough, but we need to be receptive to new ideas and beliefs by concentrating on our similarities we can always better understand our differences.I think we are much more fortunate today then our grandparents were. We have global television and the internet. Our exposure to things different from what we know is more common than years ago and that continued exposure is what makes us better global citizens. Developing an understanding on how we impact others especially on a global scale if also helped by this global connectiveness (is there such a word? LOL) we need to reach out beyond our own borders and our own circle of influence to a place where we may be a bit uncomfortable so that we can ultimately be a better global cyber citizens.
14 comments:
Well for those of us who live in the major cities of the world we have more of an opportunity to meet and converse with people of different cultures. I can say personally I have meet and learned first hand about the people of the world living right her in NYC. We can understand more if we take the time to be open minded about others. Yes we can read magazines, newspapers and watch television to get one perspective, but talking and communicating first hand through blogs, chat rooms, epals,
video conferencing and on line courses we can get a first hand account of what people think of us and we of them.
One way to achieve these goals is through global literacy and awareness. Technical literacy and collaboration are other methods but none of these concepts are understandable without a certain amount of maturity. One must be grounded and honest of ones capabilities in order to be competent enough to consider the social consequences of any country, state or nation. In the case of the students, many have the ability to use the Internet to access and communicate information effectively but are they mature enough the process the information? Many are aware of the capacity to produce and distribute content over the Net but is it done responsibly? Are important ideas which bring people, cultures and nations closer together primarily being exchanged by our students? Gathering, organizing and evaluating information isn’t enough. The recipient must be able to effectively process influential knowledge found on the Web and other sources. There can only be understanding through effective digestion. Our goal as teachers is to facilitate a global awareness throughout our student bodies. Effective digestion is the key. A daunting task but with the help of others can be done. It takes a village.
To devolop understanding of other cultures and their present issues, we must know their history and perhaps their language.
I am originally from Guyana South America. As an adult I travelled to Trinidad and Brazil as a trader, and lived for ten years in Suriname. Things are very different in those four countries depending on where you go.
Since coming to the United States in 1986 I have been fortunate to enjoy the things that are not available to the poor people of those countries. Visitors never really see the country or the people. Visitors are shown the best, given the last meal even allowed to sleep on the one bed that the whole family sleep on.
To understand what populations face you would have to live there or spend at least six months there. Children leave school at age 13 to help take care of their families. Sometines the father moved out or died or there was never a father around.
How do we understand cultures? We have to ask questions and know when to ask questions and when to just listen. As a Fashion Design Teacher at Fashion High School I encounter students from a lot of different countries. My school's population is primarily female so there is always drama going on, but we deal with everything that comes our way. Each culture looks at life differently and what is good for one culture is detrimental to the other.
Other cultures need help in getting, understanding and using the emerging technology. As teachers we have to be the guiding hand that helps our students find and use technology correctly
Although I was born and brought up here in England, my family is originaly from Bangladesh so I feel from a very young age I have been open to knowing about people from all over the world. I think we need to start early with children, and its definately helps to be around different people. Obviously this isnt always possible and often what is portrayed in the media is a biased point of view. The internet and social networking sites, podcasting can help children to get to know 'real people' and real life situations. It brings these people into a real life context and if children can see and hear other cultures their understanding can become better.
I see two ways.
The first is virtual. Ultimately, one must become aware of their global citizenship. Through ICT’s a person can easily develop an idea of their relation to the world and their interdependence with other cultures. Injustice, both economic and racial affects us all. The recent crash of the Hang Seng Stock Index is a clear indication of how we are connected economically. The intercontinental persecution of chosen cultures has a sweeping effect on national and international relations. Environmental catastrophes can affect many different global ecosystems. Through meaningful collaboration and networks the world becomes readily available making it easier to understand how we may share our differences in ways beneficial toward other cultures. Cooperative effort is the key. We are, after all, living on one planet. ICT’s connect people faster and in ways unimaginable just 60 years ago. Their usage provides much needed information for those of us who consider themselves citizens of the globe.
The second is physical. Individually or as part of a group of volunteers, one can spend time with their chosen community in other cultures across the globe where they can become completely absorbed into the daily routines, activities and social life. First hand knowledge is best as experiences in real time are profoundly more rewarding. One not only considers and gains new knowledge of their new environment and social surroundings; it also causes one to reconsider what they originally felt of their own native environment. This and more is learned and shared when living in a country other than your own.
How can we understand people from other countries and cultures if we fail to understand those who live amongst us?
We may not speak the same language nor share the same beliefs system; nevertheless, we are made of the same DNA materials(Adenine, Thymine, Guanine,Cytosine).
Our reluctance to understand the others and vice-versa is the result of cultural bias. As long as we persist in believing that mine is bigger and better, we will continue to provoke events that will be detrimental to others.
Even though we live in a culturally diverse are (Long Island, near New York City), I find that rather than being a melting pot, we are a pot filled with many separate ingredients. So we don't mix as much as we can. Therefore, we have to do more to reach out to people who are different, or at least learn about them through reading and discussing.
Assigning books to children for reading that are not necessarily written by Westerners is a start. There are plenty of books out there which were written for Asian, African and South American children that maybe our kids should read as well.
Going beyond discussing this in Social Studies (Global Studies), maybe encourage more of a pen-pal relationship between your school and a school halfway around the world. I think it gives the student a better sense of what life is like in that culture/country, if they hear in words from the students themselves. It might also help us teach our children a language other than English (we assume everyone else in the world speaks English).
One of the best ways to complete this goal and educate students about global events and cultures is to have them get a one on one view of the culture that we wish to teach them and also to relate other culture or event to the students live so they have a better understanding of events through giving them more of a personal connection with other culture and events. The best way to do this is through what we are doing in this class. Learning the new technologies and the endless possibilities that these technologies bring. For example using Google earth we can bring our students in New York or where ever we are straight to China, The Arctic and many other places.
Also we can best see the impact of our actions on other culture by coming up with fun activities for the students. Like Show them how many of the thing they were, eat and use are made in various other countries. Also set up chats or programs like this in which students around the world communicate with each other. By becoming acquainted with people of various cultures they will have a better appreciation and understanding for the differences and also the similarities, the students can talk music, sports and other topics that students find interesting.
Another important task that teachers have to face when trying to educate students on global events and other cultures is to brake down stereo types and prior knowledge of cultures or events. There are many fallacies that students believe to be true. And sometimes trying to correct the view that students already have about a culture or event is sometimes the hardest thing to accomplish.
I have lived in three different countries. I clearly understand the importance of background knowledge. You will always see minority group within the classroom. The best approach in order to avoid individual students feeling isolated, it would be great to make a group project, and provide a chance to share different cultures.
One of the best and most convienient was to find out about other peoples cultures is the Internet anything you need to know is litterally a click away. It does help that living on Long Island there really are different cultures were ever you look and on a daily basis you communicate with them. The high school I went to was also like a melting pot there was a decent amount of students from different places around the world and you would communicate with them on a regular basis. I guess if you have an open mind and are willing to be understanding you can learn a lot from simple communication.
I had the opportunity to travel and meet the world in the 1980's. When I arrived back home at JFK I kissed the ground. As a young adult I took many things for granted and I realized how lucky and blessed we really are.Today through the technologies available to us we can commuicate, educate ourselves and make decisions that will have a positive impact on society.
How can we understand different cultures and countries and the issues that face them, and develop an understanding of the impact our actions have on them?
We can start by becoming more aware of our surroundings. There is more to life than just where we live-our block, our town, our county, our country. We need to reach outside of ourselves and become more knowledgeable about the issues that are facing the world today. Get acquainted with a few people around the world, use some of the tools we learnt in this class to empower someone else to communicate their information back to us. Stay aware.
This is such a difficult question. How we understand different cultures and countries and the issue that face them is always tough, but we need to be receptive to new ideas and beliefs by concentrating on our similarities we can always better understand our differences.I think we are much more fortunate today then our grandparents were. We have global television and the internet. Our exposure to things different from what we know is more common than years ago and that continued exposure is what makes us better global citizens. Developing an understanding on how we impact others especially on a global scale if also helped by this global connectiveness (is there such a word? LOL) we need to reach out beyond our own borders and our own circle of influence to a place where we may be a bit uncomfortable so that we can ultimately be a better global cyber citizens.
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