Bridging the Gap Across the World

I think the issue, as mentioned in the article by Hamilton (2014) is the fact that due to such a diversity of contexts and languages, it is difficult to construct a learning tool in which learners from all over the world can use and benefit from in order to achieve success and communicative competency. We see people communicating with each other online globally but there are certain limitations when it comes to obtaining a particular digital pedagogy to determine what information is processed and understood by everyone.

The other limitation to the tech-mediated self-directed distance learning is also mentioned by Hamilton (2014), which is the inability to access the technology not only materially but practically being able to use it, be able to make the decision to use it and the ability to use it within his or her context. I personally think that, as future teachers, we have the responsibility to equip people with the necessary tools in order for them to be able to use these tools in their context, to further their knowledge and understanding of the world. These tools could be the direct teaching of skills without the implementation of teacher-learner power relations, as well as the will to encourage the production and practice of technology worldwide. Technology is here and it is the future-so why not encourage the use of these tools globally? It should become a priority that we as teachers reach parts of the world with the knowledge we have accumulated through our own peers through the years in order to rid the world of illiteracy, poverty, racism, gender-inequality and discrimination to give everyone a fighting chance regardless of where these people are or what their prior knowledge is. There will always be contextual differences but teachers need to encourage computer literacy otherwise equality is going to never be achievable. This could possibly be achieved by making leaders in positions of power aware of the importance of the implementation of technology in areas of the world that lack these resources, or attempt to include organisations which will financially support the implementation of these resources to further education and technological literacy.

Also, we as teachers also need to find a way to bridge the gap amoung people around the globe by exposing them to knowledge regarding to different cultures rather than being exposed to one (which is their own). Yes, we need to respect each other’s views and opinions but how will we really get to know and respect each other if we are not educated on other people’s cultures and traditions? This is one of the ways in which education communication can be provided, and I really do think that education attempting to be reached and taught globally as a self-mediated activity needs to start on a personal level, encouraging inclusion and interaction on a global scale. This can now be achieved by the development  and use of technology which enables us to communicate to people in almost every area of the globe so why not go for it?