Since the late 1980s, distance learning programs have demonstrated that technology delivered education can be effective and bring learning to students in isolated and remote areas. Programs such as the old federal Star Schools Program brought highly qualified teachers to areas that cannot afford experts in subjects such as mathematics, science, and foreign languages.
From television to satellites to computers and Internet, distance learning offers high quality learning experiences. In the best of all worlds, a highly qualified personal tutor might offer the learner the best possible learning opportunity. Unfortunately, this is not an option nor is even the construction of classrooms and the training of a reasonably qualified cadre of teachers an option in many parts of the world.
Technology can and must bridge this gap for many of the worlds 120,000,000 children without a teacher or a classroom. Distance learning is affordable and available. We cannot allow the world’s children to grow up in ignorance. We cannot allow children to learn more about AK-47s than they know about reading and mathematics. We cannot allow children to know more about war than they know about peace. Children will learn whatever we do. The question is, will we provide them a healthy environment of learning that is scientifically accurate and socially healthy?
Technology can offer us a program for new ways to reach all learners. It not only offers teaching and learning experiences; it offers new and innovative ways to present knowledge. For example, in mathematics it offers the learner quick ways to plot new curves and graphs to see what changes in formulas plot out to be. It allows the learner to examine many new and different options.
A United Nations Global Internet School should be offered in at least six languages, that is, English, Spanish, Russian, German, French and Arabic. In addition, they should be captioned for deaf students. Lessons should allow the learner to shift from one language to another. Distance learning can offer formal lessons from at least fourth grade upward. Early education can be offered via television, either broadcast or on recorded or DVD formats.
Most distance learning can be offered via iPad or other equivalent technologies. There are examples of virtual schools such as the Florida Virtual School that can act as models. Such schools should offer museum and camp activities to reinforce the technology driven courseware. Such camp activities will allow the students to work in teams to create specific projects and products and may focus on space or environment or even energy development. In addition, camps may also be established that provide for music, art and drama that allow the learners to participate in orchestras or produce dramatic performances.
Every child in the world is entitled to be educated.
Every nation in the world is obligated to provide the best posible schools.
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[…] A Proposal for a U.N. Global Internet School « Educational … Such schools should offer museum and camp activities to reinforce the technology driven courseware. Such camp activities will allow the students to work in teams to create specific projects and products and may focus on […]
I have actually been involved in talks and work with the UN in this kind of an idea and my book on using resources in developing nations was the result of a UN GAID Summit. We should put yout ideas , which are so valuable in the portal for the UN GAID organization. I will invite you.