About the Videos
Dr. Laurence Peters developed these video interviews to support his UMUC MEd course "EDTC 645 Integration of Technology: Global Perspectives."
The contributors to the video represent a diversity of perspectives on global understanding: how communications technologies are changing the world in which our students are growing up (Carvin, Kamal); the value of collaborative classroom projects (Mentini, Thornton); and the history and value of online global networks connecting K-12 students (Gragert, Plutte).
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About Dr. Peters
Dr. Laurence Peters is a global educator who passionately believes that we need to help our students achieve a “global perspective” in their studies. He teaches a course on the integration of global perspectives for UMUC’s MEd program and serves as an educational technology consultant and vice president of the National Education Foundation. Dr. Peters formerly served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education and as counsel to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights. He is the former director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology in Education Consortium (MAR*TEC) and has taught secondary school English. He holds a doctorate in both English and Education and a law degree.
Dr. Peters' latest book, Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students, provides the essential standards-based rationales for making the global dimension a central part of how and what we teach in today’s classrooms. It includes a sampling of global education projects from around the world.
Welcome to UMUC’s new video interview series, “Creating a Global Difference: Conversations for 21st Century Teachers,” hosted by the Department of Education of the Graduate School of Management and Technology.
This series was created by Dr. Laurence Peters, consultant and professor for the Master of Education in Instructional Technology (MEd) program, and features interviews with education experts who have implemented—on a small or large scale—Web-enabled global collaborations among K-12 students.
Originally developed for Dr. Peters’ MEd course, "Integration of Technology: Global Perspectives," these videos are now a companion to his new book, Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students (International Society of Technology in Education, August 2009).
How Technology is Changing Our Students’ World
Andy Carvin, senior strategist, Social Media Desk, National Public Radio; former director, Digital Divide Network
Mr. Carvin reflects on how the Internet continues to breakdown barriers of distance and challenge stereotypes.
1 minute, 39 seconds | Andy Carvin
In this second clip, Mr. Carvin talks about potential consequences of the United States' failure to integrate technology skills into the curriculum as other countries are already using schools to develop technology talent at a faster pace than the U.S.
55 seconds | Andy Carvin
Farah Kamal, coordinator for Pakistan, International Educators and Resource Network (iEARN)
Ms. Kamal reflects on the rapid changes in technology use that have taken place in the classroom during her career and the way in which students remain open to new opportunities for learning that technology provides.
1 minute | Farah Kamal
The Value of Collaborative Global Connections
Elaine Mentini, coordinator for Lebanon, iEARN
Ms. Metini discusses the impact of collaborative learning using technology on understanding complex global issues.
54 seconds | Elaine Mentini
George Thornton, high school social studies teacher, Washington State
Mr. Thornton discusses his personal journey to bring global awareness to a small and rurally isolated eastern Washington state school. He describes how he began using a global network and the way in which it helped his students better understand the United Nations, as well as cultural differences.
7 minutes, 12 seconds | George Thornton
Introducing Two Global Networking Organizations
Dr. Ed Gragert, executive director, iEARN
Dr. Gragert discusses how the justification for global education is different inside and outside of the U.S. and what factors have helped iEARN achieve rapid growth and worldwide reach as a global network.
8 minutes, 21 seconds | Dr. Ed Gragert
Chris Plutte, co-founder, Global Nomads Group (GNG)
Mr. Plutte talks about the founding of Global Nomads and the evolution of their innovative approach to global videoconferencing, as well as his assessment of the impact the organization has had on students.
9 minutes, 47 seconds | Chris Plutte
