A child of the state

Very powerful story and speech. Hope we can discuss in class next week.http://www.ted.com/talks/lemn_sissay_a_child_of_the_state.html

Online classroom.

http://on.ted.com/Norvig

I do not think a school is a place to solely learn certain subjects. It is a place for develop social skills and
build life-long friendship with schoolmates. So, I do not deny the importance of having schools, however, acquiring much specific field in higher education, online classroom can be appropriate. Nowadays, we can interact each other online and discuss various topics without going anywhere. It can be time-effective and cost-effective as well since it takes only a few educator to design the class for millions of students from all over the world. Of course, there will be heaps of obstacles to face such as time-difference, culture-difference and learning-style difference among students. However, if the course is designed as flexible and open as possible, the outcome will be awesome.

I took corresponding course to earn my BA in English literature. It was a great program to enroll for a busy mum like myself. But I did miss discussion on certain subjects and found challenging to maintain my motivation without anyone to talk with. So, I took many actual classes at school in spite of the cost and the crazy schedule to deal with. With the advance of technology, I do not have to feel isolated on a long-distance Master's course I currently take. On our request, the tutor sets up discussion meeting on Skype regularly. I also previously took a online course for Digital storytelling for young learners. The course actually turn the digital-illiterate to a digital tool user.  So, I currently take a online course for  Educational Blogging for young learners with many teachers from all over the world and it is one of the reasons I set up this blog.

On well-considered and well-organised online course, more people can be benefited from leading scholars, artists and enterprisers from all over the world. After learning certain social skills and foundation of  various subjects, online classrooms can be a mainstream for next generation.

Can you imagine having a place like this?

http://www.ted.com/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html

This is saturday morning and I am still in a dreamy mood. My dream today is to have a place like this in our community where residents, teachers, parents get together and build a school for children by sharing skills, time and bit of money. It may sound unrealistic and crazy but that's what a dream should be. And like this dude says, a wish may come true.

Happy weekend for all the dreamers!