Gloria Bobbie
Web-Mistress
Anthropology/Instructional Technology
Welcome to the Teaching and Learning with Technology section of A Journey Through the Culture of Capitalism. Teaching and learning are natural functions within any society. They are the methods by which cultural norms and information are transferred among members of the society.
Each generation transfers knowledge to its succeeding generation. Such knowledge defines the participants and their roles within the culture. Within the culture of capitalism, these roles are socially and economically stratified. Many do not have access to adequate education with which to participate fully in the society. Many believe that lack of access to technology will exacerbate this stratification creating a societal "digital divide" which will leave many behind as we enter a new millenium. I do not believe that this has to happen. The same technology which has the potential to create such a divide, can also be the means by which societal divides can be bridged.
As technology and society move forward at an incredible pace, it becomes difficult to keep up. The population must be retrained to retain jobs, people who must work to support families need to return to school to advance their educations if they are to be marketable in the workplace and others are now entering the workplace after having not worked before. People with disabilities often have difficulties attending traditional classes on campuses which may be far from their homes. Distance education makes education possible for these people, who might otherwise not be able achieve a higher education.
There are courses online at this site (see Courses section) which have been taught very successfully to students many times. Some ask if quality suffers and I can only answer that the quality of the course is as good as the instructor. An instructor who would offer a quality course in the classroom, will offer a quality course online. There are, of course, people who would attempt to take advantage of the web for personal profit in the offering of "courses". It is important that if you are going to take a course on the web, you have carefully checked to be sure that the course is being offered by an accredited school and instructor.
The pages within this section deal with using technology to extend access of information to all members of society through teaching and learning. We in education have the opportunity to share knowledge with those who in the past have been denied equal access. Clicking on the index button above will take you to a page where you may access the area you desire.
Copyright 2000 by Gloria Bobbie.
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