Friday, December 15, 2006
Flat Classroom Conversations: Part 3
Bangladesh ITGS Class: Without Walls
Part 5: What Would You Ask Thomas Friedman if He was Here?
Students were asked if Thomas Friedman was here what would they ask him? A candid discussion ensues. We considered that the world is flat based on the concept of the 'flattening of the playing field' and the technological developments (most of the ten flatteners) and that our classroom in Bangladesh has the same opportunity to be heard and make a difference as any other classroom in the world. Students expressed confusion and requested their TOK teacher to come into the discussion for further clarification. Listen to the next podcast as well (Part 6) for the next episode. (3 min 22 sec)
A discussion between Flat Classroom students and International School Dhaka's Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher, John Lindsay about concepts related to and presented in Thomas Friedman's book 'The World is Flat'.
A question: What are the implications for education? For 21st Century Learning? Are we pioneers? Will other teachers do this Flat Classroom Project?
One answer from an educators perspective:
"The classroom is now not bounded by the four walls and that in a real sense things that are the other side of the world, whether that be round a spere or in a straight line, are still brought in much closer, things are more accessible (mobile and ubiquitous).....
There will be expectations then that students will take the shorter path in this flat world to the resources, there will be more expectations because of the possibility" (John Lindsay) (6 min 25 sec)