I recently reread Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat and found it reads differently now than it did before the global, debt fueled financial troubles began to surface. The implications of Thomas Friedman’s flat world on education in general and student preparedness in particular are real; however, in light of recent economic upheaval which can be blamed, in part, on forces that use globalization in pursuit of profit despite resultant cost to country or society, Friedman’s sometimes breathless promotion of a flat world can ring hollow to some readers today. Like the world of Friedman’s book, education is also “changing due to the advances in technology” and our society is undergoing change in response to these forces. Educational technology in the hands of teachers and students can change the traditional classroom from one that is hierarchical with clear lines of command-and-control to a much more open, unstructured, and non-hierarchical configuration. What are the ramifications of a flat classroom? Will the tools that we use in distance education lead to future outsourcing of teachers or open sourcing of education? A bill in the Florida legislature will allow for outsourcing of teachers. The bill's sponsor, state senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami), calls it "broadening the choices available to school children and their parents. Teachers call it "outsourcing."
In Mr. Friedman’s Flat World, the untouchables, those workers whose job or work cannot be outsourced, are special, specialized, anchored, or really adaptable. Educators can help students achieve untouchable status by imparting the knowledge and practicing the skills that will prove to be valuable; job requirements are becoming more complex. On the library shelf below The World is Flat, I found Better Off. It also demonstrates the need for critical reasoning, communication and collaboration skills; I found it to be a nice counter to Friedman's vision: " a plug-filled, free-trader leg-humping that passes for thought in this country."
It sounds like I may need to pick up this book! I think Friedman did a decent job of arguing both sides, though. He pointed out some areas in which technology is "bad" (i.e. in that some aspects of other cultures are being lost), but also pointed out good areas -- like you said, the fact that jobs are becoming more specialized. I like the sound of that! But on the whole, I did leave the book feeling a bit down, so I might like to read another that sheds a more positive light on technology. Glad you enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the book! I hadn't thought much about the "flattening" of the classroom and dismembering the system of hierarchy. In this sense, we would truly all be learners in the classroom, teachers included. My biggest fear, especially after reading Bauerlein's book, "The Dumbest Generation," will students truly have much to bring to the table? Or would most of the time be spent on breaking down walls of ignorance that out society has allowed for? In that case, we're back to the traditional classroom structure, but, I guess, with more appeal and effectiveness. Thanks for bring this up!!!
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