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Cultural Considerations When Using ICT

Dr Michelle Selinger

Director, Education

Asia Pacific Internet Business Solutions Group

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Differences

The tools we learn with

The way we learn

With whom we learn

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Who chooses how to use ICT?

“ It is a proven lesson from the history of technology that users are the key producers of the technology by adapting it to their uses and values, and ultimately transforming the technology itself …”

Manuel Castells, 2001

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Types of cultures

Widening the definition of multiculturalism

Youth cultures

Learning cultures

Country cultures

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Non-Linear Approach

A B C D E F A

B

C

D

E

F

Linear

Non-linear

Source: Wim Veen

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Informal learning

Informal learning is based in conversations, and team projects, in which learning is part and parcel of the interactions between people

Dora Digenti

We learn by conversing with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us

Laurie Thomas & Sheila Harrie-Augstein

The best learning happens in real life with real problems and real people and not in classrooms.“ Charles

Handy

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Linguistic considerations

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Pedagogical considerations

Cultural differences

Learning imperialism

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Technological considerations

Technology Dissonance

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Interpreting ‘Access’?

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What is ‘Access’?

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Cultural Imperialism or Cultural Understanding?

“Together we have been reflecting on the ways that we are both alike and different, and in fact we are both transforming our respective cultures, as well as being transformed by each others cultures, as we interact with each other in this shared educational experience”.

(Janssen , 2000)

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Solutions

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Teaching and Learning

What needs to be taught?

What is actually taught?

What is learnt?

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How to appreciate other cultures

Collaboration

Collaboration

Collaboration

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Education Human Network

Human Network across the Education Community

Businesses

Researchers

IT providers

Suppliers

Storage

Governments

Educators

Agencies

Students

Parents/Guardians

Administrators

Partners

Learning Services

Learning Analysis

Visibility & Awareness

Expert & Social Collaboration

Resources Management

Cross-ecosystem planning & modelling

Recognised Quality

Education

Financial Economics

Environmental Economics

Operational Efficiencies

Education Lifecycle

Management

Va

lue

Cre

ati

on

Ca

pa

bil

itie

sU

se

rs/C

om

mu

nit

y

Student Experience & Satisfaction

Source: Cisco IBSG

• Follow Me Content - content follows the users, processes, and activities

• People subscribe to people - social connections and expert location

• Immersive Interactions – presence, geospatial location, semantics/context

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Learning from around the world

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Creative Archive

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Rip, Mix and Share

The Creative Archive turns the concept of media literacy into something much more than just a ‘good idea’. It’s about empowering people by providing them with material which may enhance their cultural awareness, their critical faculty and their creative skills

David Puttnam, 2006

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Open Courseware

Playground

Models

Participation

Assuring quality of education and education practices

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Bridging the divide

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Location Aware Education Mashups

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Education Links through ICT

South-South as well as North-South

Joint appointments

Local relevance, global action

Low–cost access solutions

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Teacher collaboration

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Learning from each other

Supporting Teachers

Teaching Resources

Student Activities Assessment

Supporting Students

Lesson Planning

Professional Development

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Teacher Training: Mukuru, Kenya

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Relevant training

The developers

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Developing to Developed

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Community Involvement for Cultural Relevance

Growing

Cooking

Nutrition

Commerce skills

Geography of food

Inter-connected lives

Diets vary

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Things to Think About

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Improving developing country HEIs & Providing OER & TNE

Alternative access to HE & Availability of technology

Peer review & Cultural relevance

Innovation and interactivity & Access

Quality & Cost

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The Hole In The WallChildren and Self-Organisation

The Hole in the Wall

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Adapting e- content

Considerable work and intermediation required

Cultural, pedagogical and technological considerations

Avoid duplication

Allow educators to adapt

Allow student to create

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Interim solutions

Plasma screens in Ethiopia

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Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world”

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