I am getting to know that it is
difficult to establish international contacts. However, I have not given up. While searching for additional podcasts on
early childhood systems around the world I found a podcast on Twitter for
teachers. The podcast talked about the
growing number of teachers sharing information on Twitter and building their
own international networks. I always
considered Twitter to be a social network that revolved around gossip, stars,
even sports. This new information is a
little exciting for me. I have never
been one to Tweet, but this sounds promising.
It seems you can also attend conferences virtually through your networks
Tweets. So, I am going to get busy and give it a try. I will definitely keep everyone posted on my
progress and “success” in the next few weeks.
Here is the link to that podcast http://www.stenhouse.com/html/twitterforteachers.htm
Harvard
University’s Center on the Developing Child website contains the “Global
Children’s Initiative” web page setting a framework for global early childhood
education based on lessons from the US.
Their mission is to globally educate decision makers, expand global
research on healthy development, and build leadership in early childhood in low
and middle income countries focusing on three domains: early childhood
development, child mental health, and children in crisis and conflict
situations. I was particular interested
in the “Global Child Development” page.
There was an interesting article by Gunther Fink explaining that he had
never considered early childhood until he began work on an anti-malaria
initiative. It all begins with our
children. I think that the biggest
insight I have had during this assignment is that equity does not really exist
in the world, only the idea of it…and the struggles and challenges we are faced
with as a community to achieve it. I
also now understand that equity is different than equality. Equality may not be exactly something we want
in the world and that equity is much more desirable and fair.
References
Harvard
University (n.d.). Global children's initiative. Center on the
Developing Child. Retrieved July 27, 2012, from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/
Stenhouse
Publishers (n.d.). Podcast: Twitter for teachers. Profesional Resouces
by Teachers, For Teachers. Retrieved July 27, 2012, from http://www.stenhouse.com/html/twitterforteachers.htm
Hello Crystal,
ReplyDeleteGreat new resource. I have not been involved in the whole twitter thing myself. I will have to check that out. I also read the article on Fink. It was interesting to see how they had to develop a way to make DAP comparison to other children of the world. In a way trying to make things equal when looking at the way that children develop. The problems of the world seem to change with each region. Culture seems to play a bigger role in making comparisons than I thought. Can you image trying to learn to speak 70 different languages just to say good morning or hello to your students? I also found it interesting that an economist feel into making a difference in early education and helping to fight malaria by changing an impoverish country.
Thank you for sharing information that you found on Twitter. I personally never use it because thought I would never find anything about teaching there. I guess I was wrong. Global Child Development page sounds interesting and it looks like you find some useful information. Thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteSocial Networks are evolving, especially Facebook. Many business, schools, political groups, etc. have social network pages. Cultural inclusion has been at the forefront of the classroom. Where you from has an influence on who you are. Knowing the student background helps to better understand the student.
ReplyDelete