Making Thoughtful Global Educational Connections Through Technology
Much of the divisiveness going on today, especially in the U.S. presidential campaigning, is due in large part to ignorance. Whether we are talking about intolerance towards Muslims, Latin American immigrants, Syrian refugees or young black males, much of the fear of the “other” seems to really come from a place of not knowing a lot about people who are different and understanding their perspectives.
This is why I am big proponent of using literature as a way to educate people about differences. However, technology takes learning to a higher level of interaction.
I was really excited to read this story about an American middle school class that has reinvented what a pen pal is in 2016. After having her class read I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, Connecticut educator Bridget Suvansri had her students collaborated one-on-one with middle-school peers at an independent school in Karachi, Pakistan via video message exchange. Facilitated by the educational technology firm Level Up Village, the American and Pakistani students were able to discuss issues such as cultural stereotypes, common misconceptions, leadership and role models, community service, and life in both Pakistan and the United States.
The exchange was meaningful because all the students developed more empathy for each other. The most interesting part of this is that the Pakistani students have most likely not read Yousafza’s book, due to her controversial rise to fame. However, both the American and Pakistani students were able to discuss the themes in her book, namely unequal access to education in Pakistan.
Most importantly, all the students have learned that they have more in common than they thought before this program began. This is what respecting diversity should look like!