If it takes a village to educate a

If it takes a village to educate a child - - the impact of the global village on learning opportunities for young children and families. Marion Flett

n n n Outline - look at new technologies as opportunity or threat -a new politics of knowledge - powerful mechanisms - examples from research and practice - challenges for the future

n n n Opportunity or threat? While opportunities and challenges are welcomed by some policy makers and practitioners, others sense a threat to their professional status / identity. Examples

n n Information rich and information poor Debate moving beyond this dichotomy: 1 lower costs of hardware and software 2 emphasis on connectivity 3 use of cell technology

n n n A new politics of knowledge - rise of the Internet and the collaborative Web A new generation is being reared not simply by their local village but comfortably adapting to a global village

n n New technologies provide a set of powerful tools to underpin and extend the creativity and the capacity of the developing child. Example – launch of ICT Strategy for Under Fives in Scotland

n n n New technologies also a powerful tool to enhance children’s rights within the framework of the UN Convention on Children’s Rights – in particular Articles 2 non-discrimination 3 the best interests of the child 6 life, survival and development 12 respect for the views of the child

n n n Example from research Alison Clark’s work along with Peter Moss on the mosaic approach Interesting parallels with the work of Paulo Freire in relation to adult literacy

n n Example from action-research The Young Families Now Project in Aberdeen, Scotland - involvement by adults in participatory processes - less involvement by children

n n Examples from Practice Illiterate farmers in Kenya using cell phones to negotiate prices

n Examples from Work with Children n n 1 health education 2 architecture and design 3 web based science programmes n NB Agencies outside ‘education’ domain n n

n n n A changing ‘world view’ Access by poorer communities in both the developed and developing world Examples: Jamaica – mobile phones Dominica – local library Uganda – health records

n n Holistic Child Development - what we know from brain research - intent community participation Development of different domains interlinked: physical, social, emotional, cognitive -each benefits other

n n n Implications for Service Delivery - infrastructure breaking down isolation multi-generational approaches “learning communities”

n n n Could this provide an answer to early primary school drop-out? See ‘Starting Strong’ on the dangers of importing outmoded systems from the West into ‘developing countries’ Build on responses by communities plus innovations supported by new technologies and new alliances