tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post586607921845430996..comments2024-03-14T23:47:52.732+11:00Comments on The Global Educator: Global understanding through language and multimediaJulie Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05043807289251144925noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-33700534910379074732007-04-26T01:12:00.000+10:002007-04-26T01:12:00.000+10:00I am a specialist in International Business Commun...I am a specialist in International Business Communication, teaching it at the University level and conducting research in the development of cross-cultural communication, international computer mediated communication, distributed teams (groups that work in different locations-including other countries) and student perceptions of written English. I would think that different Englishes, and the understanding of them, would be a goal of your project. In addition, the research has an ongoing debate about which English should be used. Many multinational companies have developed "language management" policies. As long as English does not have a central authority controlling its development (which I do not suggest), it will be allowed to evolve and meet the needs of the speakers.V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-67748734483697158082007-04-24T12:24:00.000+10:002007-04-24T12:24:00.000+10:00Great thoughts everyone.I think I'm pretty much wi...Great thoughts everyone.<BR/><BR/>I think I'm pretty much with Jeff and Mike on this - I think the students can handle it. I think it's something to talk about with them - definitely a teachable moment - but once they are aware of the issue, I think they'll do just fine. If we encourage them to make sure they communicate with each other any time there is confusion, isn't that a valuable skill in and of itself?<BR/><BR/>And, of course, unless you are planning on convincing the entire web (at least the English portion of it) to standardize, aren't our 21st century students going to have to learn to deal with it?Karl Fischhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11121548023409279686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-44183668392021683172007-04-23T05:57:00.000+10:002007-04-23T05:57:00.000+10:00Here's another for ya'll to ponder: inquiry vers...Here's another for ya'll to ponder: inquiry versus enquiry came across this puzzle this afternoon as I edited the rubric my class will use on April 30th....I put both spellings on it just in case, since I couldn't decide....Durffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05683687754001195123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-46713706668513929452007-04-22T01:29:00.000+10:002007-04-22T01:29:00.000+10:00Jeff is right on. If students are confused by dif...Jeff is right on. If students are confused by different spellings, idioms, sayings - good! Let them struggle to work it out. Bridging language differences between themselves and peers in other cultures is a skill they will need in the years to come. Hopefully, this helps them to see the language is a living and evolving entity. It morphs as cultures collide and human needs change. Technology is only speeding this process up and our students need to understand that and be able to adapt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-37987026341231807672007-04-21T08:23:00.000+10:002007-04-21T08:23:00.000+10:00It may be that you may not have to "define a globa...It may be that <I>you</I> may not have to "define a global language" at all. (<A HREF="http://www.lunchoverip.com/2007/02/lift07_sugata_m.html" REL="nofollow">LIFT07: Suga Mitra and outdoctrination</A>)<BR/><BR/><I>"We found that 6 to 13 year old can self-instruct in a networked environment irrespective of what we measure (educational background, English literacy, economic level, etc), if you lift the adult intervention."</I><BR/><BR/>The students it seems, given time, will take care of the communication issues. The tools have certainly made us rethink geographical horizons. We may also have to rethink temporal ones as well.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11941471607867967668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-68731143287688027812007-04-20T23:39:00.000+10:002007-04-20T23:39:00.000+10:00Is there a way to change the defaults so the spell...Is there a way to change the defaults so the spelling is corrected for British instead? This would be very useful, also for future projects. Americans really need to become more aware. I had only one sociology course, but these thoughts were not integrated. We need to integrate these tolerances just like we need to integrate technology.Durffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05683687754001195123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-83596852866843984742007-04-20T23:33:00.000+10:002007-04-20T23:33:00.000+10:00I think that these conversations are GREAT! Lisa,...I think that these conversations are GREAT! Lisa, you have been admirable in your desire to help us with our professional image. I too didn't know about these nuances of the English language and at first (even on this project) changed it. However, when I finally figured it out, then, I stopped changing those words out of professional courtesy and a desire to communicate. Interestingly, readers depending upon their country of origin will have different viewpoints of our work depending on how they spell things, I guess.<BR/><BR/>This is a fascinating discussion but I think it is a great one to have at the high school level to promote effective global citizens. But it is NOT a lesson that one can learn from a textbook... only a lesson that can be learned via connections.Vicki Davis @coolcatteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549879610620143027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-20533214151309410762007-04-20T23:21:00.000+10:002007-04-20T23:21:00.000+10:00I think I do need to apologize! As an ethnocentric...I think I do need to apologize! As an ethnocentric american, I should be able to look past the end of my nose. I will have to wait until next Wed to tell my kids how wrong I was. I think it will lead to an interesting discussion!Durffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05683687754001195123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-82813946658788679802007-04-20T21:30:00.000+10:002007-04-20T21:30:00.000+10:00Lisa, no apologies necessary at all! You know at f...Lisa, no apologies necessary at all! You know at first I thought hmm here we go again with changing the word one way and then back and then forward...however, as Paul so astutely pointed out, the important thing is that we are able to communicate and 'enhance our cultural understanding'. That is the great power of connectivity!Julie Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043807289251144925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-77296884121929138062007-04-20T20:57:00.000+10:002007-04-20T20:57:00.000+10:00I didn't get to read the entire post...have to go ...I didn't get to read the entire post...have to go to school and will do it there. But I do apologize! I thought, in my ethnocentric way, that artefact was a mispelling and not British! You are educating me!! I knew that organisation was British and tend to use the 's' instead of 'z' myself, but never thought...i am dumb...the Latin is 'arte' Sorry Julie!!Durffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05683687754001195123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16296721.post-80001034595606476462007-04-20T20:27:00.000+10:002007-04-20T20:27:00.000+10:00I think in a project such as this with students in...I think in a project such as this with students in a variety of locations, from different cultures, and perhaps with varying levels of competence in the use of English, it is important to be sensitive to the language used and to reduce/avoid use of idioms and jargon. Where there are differences in terminology e.g. "autumn" and "fall", use both terms. In terms of the written work produced by students, the key is whether it can be understood and not get too hung up on whether “petrol” has been used instead of “gas”, "artifact" is spelt with an I rather than an e, etc.<BR/><BR/>As you have already mentioned, students in the Horizon Project are not limited to use of the written word – they have the opportunity to express themselves in a variety of formats in order to facilitate communication.<BR/><BR/>It is important to acknowledge, accept and feel comfortable with the fact that those participating in the project will express themselves and communicate in different ways. In my opinion, the main strength of this project is the opportunity it provides for students around the world to engage with one another and enhance their intercultural understanding. As Davis and Cho (2005) indicated, educational technology can act as a “bridge to introduce new cultures, knowledge and people to students.” Dunn and Marinetti (2003) also suggest, “Different perspectives challenge us and help us construct new knowledge. The intellectual capital generated by intertwining the experiences and knowledge of diverse people can be far greater than the sum of their parts.”<BR/><BR/>I have just got hold of a book entitled “Globalized E-Learning Cultural Challenges” (which I have yet to make a start on!). <BR/>http://www.igi-pub.com/books/details.asp?ID=6045<BR/>I hope that this will provide me with further insight into some of the issues you have raised Julie.<BR/><BR/>PaulAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04895735195152196735noreply@blogger.com