The World is Flat: My reflection

I don’t really know where to begin my reflection on Friedman’s book, The world is Flat, since there is just too much critical information (at least in my view) to comment on. In general, the book opened my eyes on what globalization is all about, despite the fact that I have been using the word (globalization) almost everyday but with no concept of its true meaning or at least not the same way Friedman puts it. The ten world flatteners were great eye opener for me first, as an educator and student, and secondly as an individual from a developing country (Kenya). Friedman explains it clearly how technology has played and still plays a critical role in flattening the world. As he puts in a simple language, “the world has been reduced from a large globe to a small flat world”.

I have been thinking more about my country as I read the book and though much of what Friedman talks about is yet to be witnessed, I could not help but identify some recent notable globalization changes already taking place in Kenya. Fiber Optic Cable is only a few months old in Kenya, but it is amazing what companies have been doing in just the last 2 month to take advantage of change in technology. With high speed internet being accessible from most parts of Kenya now, there are a number of Multi-national companies already establishing their companies in Kenya. One of my friends who is working for the government told me just 2 weeks ago that the government has entered into agreement with some European, Asian and Australian companies planning to Outsource some work to Kenya as a move to reduce unemployment of the thousands of university graduates (there are at least twenty thousand university graduates from Kenyan universities annually and only about 10 percent are employed immediately). There are five new international wireless phone companies that have just been approved by the government as a result of the fiber optic cable as well.

Another new phenomenon that seems to be changing the business platforms in Kenya is incorporating the online business mode. The government started a project to assist small businesses comply with the current global business trend by providing subsidized web-hosting and designing services. This will, according to the business spokesman, put small businesses in the global platform. This will be made possible by the newly acquired fast speed internet. I now see why Friedman referred to the world as shifting from vertical to horizontal platform. People as individuals are now more empowered to do whatever they want to do whenever they choose.

I think in education, technology has already brought changes that no one thought possible few years ago, for example online or distance learning tools. My main worry is in the U.S. education system, especially the elementary and high school levels. I believe just like Friedman noted that sciences and math is still the backbone to what make tomorrow’s leaders. I grew up in an education system where math and science are given more emphasis and even instructors teaching these classes are rewarded better. I think based on what I have heard from my fellow students, the U.S. primary education level does not necessarily require everyone to take math and science classes. Actually the trend is sometime evident at the college level, something I deal with often whenever I am counseling my student athletes. I know Friedman mentioned as a closing remark in his speech that leaders must change, but I also think education systems especially elementary and high school level must change and take a second look at math and science.

Future Forces affecting Education

Media-Rich Pervasive Learning

When I first opened Knowledge Works Foundation site I was expecting to see just an information site, but I was surprised by how great of a resource it is, not just for educators, but for everyone. I actually spent hours just looking at the different combination of issues and trends on the map and for the most part of it, I was really impressed and challenged at the same time. It is literally an all inclusive tool that has something for everyone.

In terms of education, I am still learning more about how technology can best be used in education systems as well as other forms of training. Media-Rich Pervasive Learning caught my attention because of my interest in online, distance, web-based, or e-learning evolution. I am currently doing research in online education as perceived by college students and as I read this section I kept asking myself how online learning may never match up to the traditional face-to-face learning. However this map Media-Rich Pervasive Learning claims the possibility of being able to learn any time in any place. Since technology is currently able to provide what is needed to make it happen, it is going to happen, just like we have seen real time video conferencing come to live few years ago, something no one thought possible 15 years ago.

The media that we have according to this trend will be powerful enough to bring live to online or distance education, a factor that still lacks in most of the current online / distance learning environments. According to Knowledge works Foundation, there will be a shift from “the box” (the computer or TV and the screen) to a focus on context—our physical location, the information we can access, and the people to whom we can connect, physically and virtually. The new learning in digitally enriched physical spaces revitalizes kinetic learning and the opportunities for learning through emotion and movement.

In some of the research that have been done on online / distance learning, two of the most common complains from students have been boredom and isolation from the real face-to-face environment (which is usually rich in emotions, feelings, reactions and touch among other special characteristics of a real classroom). Media-Rich Pervasive Learning seem to answer some of the concerns, it may just be a matter of time since all the tools are available. The phone is just one of them!

Reflection on video conferencing

This is my reflection on the video conferencing tool used by Scott county school system. It is a great tool that could be used across the international borders as well.
You can also click here to access it. My reflection on Video Conferencing